An exceptional night for Villa Maria Estate

Three trophies, Champion Wine of the Show and Winemaker of the Year are the outstanding line-up of accolades Villa Maria Estate received at the 2011 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards last night.

The wine company’s Managing Director and founder Sir George Fistonich was also honoured with the announcement that he has been inducted to the New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame for services the wine industry.

In a first for the show the Winemaker of the Year Award was a joint award given to Villa Maria Estate’s Group Winemaker Alastair Maling MW and Senior Auckland Winemaker Nick Picone.

This haul of awards follows the recent announcement that Villa Maria Estate secured a record 17 Golds at the same show.

Villa Maria Estate awards summary:
Trophy for Champion Viognier – Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawkes Bay Viognier 2010
Trophy for Champion Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008
Trophy for Champion Syrah – Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2009
Champion Wine of the Show – Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2009
Winemaker of the Year – Joint, Alastair Maling MW and Nick Picone
The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards is New Zealand’s oldest wine competition and this year had a record 1500 wines entered from 276 wineries around the country.

Sir George’s other boutique wine company Vidal Estate was also the recipient of a trophy for Champion Chardonnay – Vidal Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2009
Other 2011 Royal Easter Show Awards for Vidal include:
Gold – Vidal Reserve Chardonnay 2009
Gold – Vidal Marlborough Riesling 2010
Gold – Vidal Reserve Hawkes Bay Syrah 2007