Wine Industry Report

The Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2005 has just taken out two of the most illustrious awards in Australasia: the Royal Hobart Wine Award’s Qantas Trophy for Pinot Noir and the National Wine Show of Australia’s Riedel Trophy for Pinot Noir*.

However, the success of this family owned winery doesn’t stop there – for the eighth time in nine years Villa Maria Estate has also been named as Winestate magazine’s New Zealand Wine Producer of the Year; Senior Winemaker Corey Ryan named as New Zealand Winemaker of the Year; and Villa Maria’s Single Vineyard Rutherford Pinot Noir 2004 taking out the trophy for best Pinot Noir. These prestigious awards are a fitting tribute to the winery’s dedication to consistently produce supreme quality wine.

This family owned winery’s passion for Pinot Noir is evident with 2006 making it the fourth year in a row that Villa Maria has won the Royal Hobart Wine Show Trophy for Pinot Noir which is widely regarded as one of the most sought after Pinot Noir trophies in Australasia. “Villa Maria is hugely enthusiastic about New Zealand’s potential for Pinot Noir, particularly Pinot Noir from the Marlborough region where this Cellar Selection Pinot Noir along with the three previous trophy winners have come from,” explains Group Winemaker Alastair Maling MW. “We are continually striving to be recognised as a leading Pinot Noir producer and the 2005 Cellar Selection Pinot Noir is an excellent example of this elusive variety that will satisfy all types of Pinot Noir lovers.”

Backing up the win at the Royal Hobart Show the Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2005 went on to win the following day at the National Wine Show of Australia. “The Riedel Trophy for Pinot Noir * is a highly coveted trophy, particularly by New Zealand wineries so we were elated to receive this award along with two gold medals in the Pinot Noir category,” describes George Fistonich Villa Maria’s Owner and Managing Director. The team of judges which included Craggy Range’s Steve Smith MW and was headed up by James Halliday, described the top wines in the Pinot Noir category as standing “…head and shoulders above the rest.” Only one other New Zealand winery won a trophy at this year’s National Wine Show of Australia, Mount Riley picking up the trophy for best Sauvignon Blanc. “The two trophy wins by New Zealand wineries solidifies our country’s strength in these two varietals,” explains Fistonich. “It is a great honour to have our wine acknowledged at high profile international competitions and a true reflection of New Zealand’s ability to produce some of the most outstanding wine in the world.”

Summary of Results:
Royal Hobart Wine Show Qantas Trophy for Pinot Noir – Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2005

*National Wine Show of Australia Riedel Trophy for Best Dry Style Table Wine – Pinot Noir (Premium Classes) - Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2005

Winestate New Zealand Wine Producer of the Year 2006 – Villa Maria Estate

Winestate New Zealand Winemaker of the Year – Corey Ryan, Senior Winemaker Villa Maria Estate

Winestate Trophy for Best Pinot Noir 2006 – Villa Maria Single Vineyard Rutherford Pinot Noir 2004