Vintners' Brunch

Villa Maria Estate

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2006.

When you drink a glass of Villa Maria wine you can rest assured a huge amount of passion went in to making it. From small beginnings to what is now a thriving New Zealand owned winery, the vision has always been the same. Owner and Managing Director, George Fistonich sums up the secret to his success when he says his focus is a commitment to making great wine; “wine I'd enjoy drinking myself.” Remaining privately owned, this flagship winery has impressed wine critics around the world with its fine selection of quality wine.

Warm weather throughout the 2006 vintage led to an early harvest of our Pinot Gris fruit. Sourced from the Seddon and Taylors Pass vineyards, the vines are planted on some of the warmest areas within these vineyards on free draining soils to allow for maximum ripeness of fruit. The grapes were hand harvested and whole bunch pressed to provide soft, concentrated and flavoursome juice. Neutral yeasts and cool fermentation techniques were used to preserve the natural fruit flavours. Post fermentation, the wine was left on yeast lees for a further two months with occasional battonage to help build palate texture and richness.

Perfumed with alluring ripe pear and spicy baked apple aromas, this is a full and rich styled wine with a fresh and lively finish.

Awards:
GOLD MEDAL ~ Royal Easter Wine Show, 2007
5 STARS ~ Cuisine Magazine, 2007

Villa Maria Estate
New Zealand's Most Awarded Wines
118 Montgomerie Road
Mangere, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 09 255 0660
www.villamaria.co.nz

Matched with Prawn and Gorgonzola on rocket salad with toasted pinenuts and crisp pear from Number 5