VILLA MARIA

Villa Maria are driven to create the very best from New Zealand and their wine is a unique expression of their land, their passion, and their bold spirit, captured in a glass. Grown sustainably in wind cooled valleys, between shifting mountains and crashing seas, and bottled in the crater of a volcano. Passionately crafted without compromise, they proudly share it with the world, to inspire, delight and to elevate moments of indulgence.

Born in 1961, when Sir George Fistonich founded Villa Maria with just an acre of vines leased from his father in Mangere, Auckland. His vision, passion and tenacious commitment led to Villa Maria’s first vintage in 1962. The growth and success of Villa Maria since that time, through adversity and challenge, has been founded on this bold, entrepreneurial, can-do spirit, and relentless passion to create and share exceptional quality wines.

Simon Fell joined the Villa Maria winemaking team in 2006 and has 17 years of winemaking experience working in wine throughout the world. Simon’s winemaking career has seen him work for wineries in Bordeaux, Napa Valley, Chile, Australia, and more recently in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand where he was winemaker for Vidal Estate Wines. In his current role at Villa Maria’s Auckland winery, Simon enjoys the challenges and vast possibilities of producing a range of varietal wines from New Zealand’s key winegrowing regions. Simon is a keen outdoorsman who enjoys diving, surfing and swimming. Together with his wife Jacqui they are avid foodies who enjoy preparing gourmet food and wine dinners for their friends and family.