Taylors Pass Pinot Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed within 3 to 8 years from the vintage release, though exceptional vintages can cellar gracefully for up to 10 years.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Classic roasted duck breast, grilled lamb chops with rosemary, or a rich wild mushroom risotto.
✨ Technical Specifications
Villa Maria, founded in 1961 by Sir George Fistonich, stands as one of New Zealand's most pioneering and celebrated wineries. The Taylors Pass Pinot Noir is a single-vineyard expression originating from the sheltered north bank of the Awatere River in Marlborough. In this rugged terroir, the vines grow on a mix of stony gravels and silt loams, exposed to cool, wind-swept coastal breezes that naturally extend the ripening season. This slow maturation coaxes out a highly expressive, structured Pinot Noir. Traditionally fermented in open-top vessels and aged in French oak barriques, the wine beautifully showcases the cooler Awatere style, balancing bright red fruit and dark cherry notes with complex undertones of wild herbs, earthy spice, and refined, silky tannins.
🍾 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.
🍇 Grape Varieties
100% Pinot Noir