Villa Maria Auckland: A Wine Lover’s Playground
Villa Maria‘s sauvignon blanc is one of my favorites in the States, so I was thrilled to find out that they have a winery and vineyard right in Auckland. One of my favorite things to do in any new country is visit their wine regions. Not only do you get to sample some tasty local beverages, you also learn so much about the country’s history and culture. After all, in wine there is truth 😉.
Favorite Moments
Tour
Villa Maria Auckland is a wine lover’s playground. A perfect day trip for connoisseurs and novices alike, there are endless opportunities here to learn and indulge.
Villa Maria not only has some of the tastiest wines. I love that they’re also dedicated to their impact on the next generation. The world never feels so small as when we touch every corner of it. As a world traveler, I love to support companies that do what they can to minimize their impact on the environment. And these guys are taking it to the next level. We’re talking things I’ve never seen at another winery (and I’ve been to wineries on four continents!)—like those famous New Zealand sheep tending the soil and natural light in the barrel rooms. So you really should have that second glass (bottle?) of wine, and throw your support to Villa Maria’s sustainable cause.
The first part of your visit should be a tour of the winemaking facility. My tour was led by one of Villa Maria Estate’s market managers, Ian Clark, who has been in the spirits industry since 1955. During our tour, we also got a quick meet and greet with Villa Maria’s Owner and Founder, Sir George Fistonich, who is credited as one of the founding fathers of winemaking in New Zealand. You can’t beat face time the people who started it all while you’re learning about how their wines are made!
Check out this video of our behind-the-scenes tour (daily at 11AM and 2PM):
Tasting
Now onto the good stuff—the wine! You can’t very well visit a winery without sampling the wine, so a wine tasting has to be on your agenda. Mine was with senior winemaker, Dave Roper. Villa Maria exports 70 percent of their wines, so it was great to taste five wines that are available in the US. I’ve been a fan of Villa Maria sauvignon blanc for a long time. I had no idea that they made so many other of my favorite varietals and some new ones I don’t normally try. The Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris were instant favorites that I’m planning to look for now that I’m back home. Make sure you try them!
The winemakers at Villa Maria are a wealth of knowledge about everything from the soil to the final product. Even though we were only visiting the Auckland region on this trip, we learned all about the other winemaking regions in NZ. I’m already mentally planning a trip back to explore more of the north island and the south island, which will, of course, include a visit to Villa Maria Marlborough.
BONUS! The Café
You might come for the wine, but you should definitely stay for the food. EVERYTHING. WAS. AMAZING. This was one of the best meals I had during the trip—totally unexpected from a cafe at a winery. Every item on the menu has a perfect pairing suggestion. My personal favorite was the salmon with the pinot gris. Lunch is also a perfect opportunity to taste some of the wines you don’t have at the tasting. I choose the albariño and viognier—yum! With a view out over the vineyard and a glass of wine in your hand, the cafe is the perfect spot to admire the beauty that is New Zealand wines and Villa Maria. Cheers!
Want to visit more wineries in the Auckland area? Check out the best day trips from Auckland, including Waiheke Island.
This post was created in partnership with Villa Maria.
