"From a one-man band to a global brand in 50 years."
Established by George Fistonich in 1961, Villa Maria started with a single acre of vines in Mangere where George had leased land from his father. The first wine made under the Villa Maria name was in 1962 and throughout the 1960s it remained a "one-man band" with George's wife, Gail, supporting him along the way.
In the 1970s George began to employ staff across NZ and source grapes from greater Auckland regions and beyond.
Villa Maria has remained 100% family owned since their humble beginnings and now employs over 250 people and grows 28 grape varieties across Auckland, Marlborough, Hawke's Bay and Gisborne.
Photo credit & information - Villa Maria Wines