Riesling
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Freshly shucked oysters, spicy Thai green curry, or classic German pork schnitzel with lemon.
✨ Technical Specifications
Villa Maria, founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, stands as an icon of New Zealand's modern wine revolution. While Marlborough often steals the spotlight, the cool, wind-swept terraces of Wairarapa at the southern edge of the North Island offer an exceptional terroir for Riesling. Here, the combination of free-draining alluvial gravel soils, hot summer days, and cool nights allows the Riesling grape to ripen slowly, retaining its signature electric acidity. This single-varietal white wine is crafted predominantly in stainless steel to capture the absolute purity of the fruit. It weaves a vibrant aromatic tapestry of lime zest, green apple, and white spring blossoms, underpinned by a distinct stony minerality that reflects the ancient riverbeds of the region.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, Villa Maria stands as one of New Zealand's most celebrated and pioneering wine producers. From its historic roots in Auckland, the winery has established extensive vineyard holdings across the premier winegrowing regions of Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Gisborne. Renowned for its steadfast dedication to sustainability and quality innovation, Villa Maria played an instrumental role in shaping modern New Zealand viticulture and championing regional expressiveness. The estate's diverse portfolio ranges from the globally recognized Private Bin series to site-specific single-vineyard and Reserve wines, excelling in vibrant Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, refined Pinot Noir, complex Chardonnay, and structured Hawke's Bay red blends.