Villa Maria Wines https://test.villamariawines.com Live in the Delicious Thu, 25 Jun 2026 04:04:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://media-test.villamariawines.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/29221513/cropped-Villa-Maria-Favicon-1-1-32x32.png Villa Maria Wines https://test.villamariawines.com 32 32 Ngakirikiri 2021 wins prestigious global wine award https://test.villamariawines.com/ngakirikiri-2021-wins-prestigious-global-wine-award/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 03:47:03 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11725

Best in Show for Villa Maria’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon

Ngakirikiri 2021 received 97 points and a coveted ‘Best in Show’ title, meaning it was one of the Top 50 wines selected from almost 17,000 entries.

 

The Decanter World Wine Awards is the world’s largest wine competition, judged blind by international experts across entries from 58 countries.

 

 

 

 

Hawke’s Bay heritage

Winemaking excellence

Villa Maria Senior Winemaker Richard Painter says the recognition was a major achievement for the team.

 

“To be named among the top 50 wines globally is incredibly rewarding,” says Painter. “It reflects the dedication of our vineyard and winery teams and reinforces that Hawke’s Bay produces wines that are truly world-class.”

 

 

From the renowned Gimblett Gravels

The name ‘Ngakirikiri’ comes from te reo Maori, describing the unique soils in the Gimblett Gravels that shape the wine’s character.

 

Painter says: “The 2021 Ngakirikiri is both concentrated and refined, with pure fruit flavour and fresh acidity balanced with the richness and structure that can only come from this region.”

 

 

 

 

The 2021 Ngakirikiri is both concentrated and refined

]]> Friday Night Favourites, Perfectly Paired https://test.villamariawines.com/friday-night-favourites-perfectly-paired/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:21:55 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11596

A restaurant-style night in

Your favourite comfort foods are even better with the right wine. Whether it’s classic pizza, fresh fish and chips or fragrant Pad Thai, explore our winemakers’ guide to pairings for an effortless night in.

Herbed

Panko-Crumbed Fish & Beer Battered Fries

Elevate your favourite takeaway with this herbed panko-crumbed fish served alongside beer-battered fries.

 

Crispy on the outside and tender within, it pairs beautifully with the zesty citrus and herbal notes of our Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc.

Wood-fired

Burrata and Mortadella Pizza

Aromatic, salty and indulgent, this Burrata and Mortadella pizza is ideal for sharing or savouring solo.

 

Pair it with our vibrant, fruit-driven Private Bin Rosé for a deliciously fresh contrast you’ll return to again and again.

Comforting

Butter Chicken

Rich, fragrant and gently spiced, this creamy curry calls for a wine with equal generosity.

Our Private Bin Chardonnay, crafted in a cool-climate style, brings ripe stone fruit flavours and a soft, rounded texture, balanced by refreshing acidity. The wine’s subtle complexity complements the curry’s warming spices, while its fresh acidity cuts through the richness, creating a beautifully balanced pairing.

Classic

Beef Burger

Juicy, savoury and undeniably satisfying, a classic beef burger is a Friday night staple.

 

The richness of the beef and its smoky, chargrilled flavours pair beautifully with our Private Bin Pinot Noir. For an even more indulgent match, choose a burger topped with melted Swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms.

Sweet & Savoury

Chicken Pad Thai

Chicken Pad Thai is a much-loved classic, with slippery sweet-savoury noodles, crunchy peanuts and a fresh squeeze of lime.

 

Pair it with our Private Bin Pinot Gris, bursting with juicy red apple, nashi pear and delicate honeysuckle notes that complement the dish’s vibrant flavours.

]]> Vintage 2026 https://test.villamariawines.com/vintage-2026/ Sun, 10 May 2026 23:27:46 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11588

The 2026 season saw a warm Spring followed by settled conditions through to harvest. This resulted in clean, ripe fruit with great natural acidity and classic varietal character. Beyond seasonal conditions, the success of any vintage reflects the experience and collaboration of our viticulture, winemaking and operations teams. The exceptional quality of the 2026 wines is a testament not only to an outstanding season, but also to the commitment of an exceptional team.

 

Marlborough

An exceptionally warm spring advanced the 2026 growing season, resulting in healthy, well balanced crop yields. March delivered optimal harvest conditions, with dry weather, clear days slightly cooler than average, and consistently cool nights. These factors produced ripe fruit with aromatic intensity, vibrant acidity and freshness – hallmarks of Marlborough’s finest vintages.

 

Season Standouts

Harvested at optimal ripeness, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir all look exceptional. The diversity of Sauvignon Blanc expressions across Marlborough’s subregions provides the colour for a range of distinctive wines, each with a strong sense of place. The 2026 Marlborough harvest is shaping up to deliver truly remarkable wines, highlighting the benefits of cool climate viticulture.

 

 

Marlborough

Sauvignon Blanc

The room-filling aromatics and strikingly crisp character of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are why it is so popular and such a memorable experience. Dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover a highly expressive wine style, capable of huge variety and differentiation.

Discover our Sauvignon Blanc wines

Gisborne

Gisborne experienced a very warm Spring, well above the long-term average. This supported strong vine growth, even flowering and good yields. Continued warm conditions led to our earliest ever harvest start in February, with intake compressed into a three-week period.

 

Season Standouts

Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay performed particularly well, delivering the generous ripe tropical fruit flavours for which Gisborne is known.

 

 

Gisborne

McDiamrid Hill Chardonnay

McDiarmid Hill offers ripe tropical fruit aromas, fig and smoky grilled nut notes. The palate is lavishly textured, leading to a long finish extended by fine acidity.

Learn more
Where to buy

Hawke’s Bay

Warm, dry conditions through spring and early summer resulted in even fruit set, healthy yields and accelerated ripening across the region. Leading into harvest, temperatures hovered around the long-term average, before dipping below once harvest commenced in mid-February. Sugar accumulation and flavour development were well synchronised across all varieties.

 

Season Standouts

Chardonnay across all tiers is outstanding in 2026, showing exceptional flavour and vibrant acidity. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris from the cooler, inland area of Central Hawkes Bay also stood out for their clean, expressive fruit. The highlight of the vintage is arguably the red varietals, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon displaying deep colour, complex ripe flavours and significant promise even at this early stage.

 

 

Hawke’s Bay

Rich red wines

Among the red varietals that thrive in Hawke’s Bay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Malbec stand out prominently. Each grape variety imparts its own unique character to the wines, resulting in a rich tapestry of flavours and aromas.

Discover our Hawkes Bay wines
]]> Snapper Crudo with Yuzu Olive Oil https://test.villamariawines.com/snapper-crudo/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 02:52:28 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11537

Ingredients

300g snapper, sliced ½ cm thick

1 blood orange, peeled and segmented

2 mandarins, peeled and segmented

2 tbsp yuzu olive oil

1 fresh chilli, sliced

Microgreens, to garnish

Method

  1. Arrange the snapper slices, blood orange, mandarin segments and sliced chilli on a chilled serving platter.
  2. Drizzle the yuzu olive oil over the snapper.
  3. Finish with microgreens, and serve immediately while everything is fresh and vibrant.

Pairs with

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Admired for its fresh acidity and intense zesty flavours and aromas, our Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is made to be savoured.

Learn more
Where to buy
]]> Mushroom Ragu with Parmesan Polenta https://test.villamariawines.com/mushroom-ragu/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 02:29:58 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11526

Ingredients

Mushroom Ragu:

4 tbsp olive oil, divided

2 cups crimini mushrooms, sliced

1 cup oyster mushrooms, sliced

1 cup portobello mushrooms, sliced

½ tsp sea salt

½ tsp black pepper

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

½ cup Private Bin Pinot Noir

1 can Italian style tomatoes, puréed

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 Parmigiano Reggiano (or similar) rind

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp chilli flakes

1 tbsp sugar

Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, for garnish

¼ cup Italian parsley, finely chopped

– –

Parmesan Polenta:

4 cups chicken stock

1 cup polenta

1½ cups grated Parmigiano Reggiano

3 tbsp butter

⅓ cup whipping cream

Method

  1. Cook the mushrooms: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium‑high. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then cook another 5 minutes until golden and softened.
  2. Build the ragu: Add the remaining oil and garlic; cook briefly until fragrant. Deglaze with Pinot Noir. Add the tomatoes, soy sauce, Parmesan rind, basil, oregano, chilli flakes, and sugar. Stir and simmer gently for 45–60 minutes.
  3. Make the polenta: Bring the chicken stock to a boil. Whisk in the polenta, reduce heat, and cook for about 5 minutes, whisking often, until thick. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan, butter, and cream until smooth.
  4. Serve: Spoon the creamy polenta into bowls, top with the mushroom ragu, and finish with Parmesan and parsley.

Pair with

Private Bin Pinot Noir

Whether you’re enjoying a summer get together with friends or cosied up on the couch next to a roaring fire, Pinot Noir is the perfect wine for all seasons.

Learn more
Where to buy
]]> Hoisin Duck Noodles with fresh chilli & sesame seeds https://test.villamariawines.com/hoisin-duck-noodles/ Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:09:18 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11519

Ingredients

300g Duck leg

2 Tbsp Red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp Hoisin sauce

150g Medium egg noodles

1/2 bunch (15g) Mint

1/2 bunch (15g) Coriander

1/4 (160g) Cucumber

4 Spring onions, sliced

160g Sugar snap peas, sliced

Method

  1. Roast the duck: Heat the oven to 180°C. Season the duck and roast in a small tray for 1½ hours, until tender. Set aside to cool.
  2. Make the noodle base: Set the tray over medium high heat. Add 300ml water and a splash of red wine vinegar, scraping up the sticky bits. Stir in 1 tbsp hoisin. Cook the noodles, then transfer them straight into the tray to soak up the sauce.
  3. Crisp the duck: Shred the meat, keeping the skin separate. Fry the skin in a dry pan until crisp, then set aside. Add the shredded meat to the pan with the remaining hoisin and cook until sticky and caramelised.
  4. Prep the greens: Pick the herbs and slice the cucumber, spring onions, and sugar snaps.
  5. Serve: Divide the noodles into bowls, spoon over the juices, and top with the crispy duck and crackling. Add the herbs and crunchy veg on the side.

Pair with

Private Bin Pinot Gris

Bursting with fresh and inviting aromas of ripe pear, crunchy red apple and floral blossoms, with a delicious off-dry finish.

Learn more
Where to buy
]]> Why you’ll love our 2025 Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc https://test.villamariawines.com/why-youll-love-our-reserve-wairau-valley-sauvignon-blanc/ Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:12:46 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=10445

A classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, our Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc is bursting with heady aromas of passionfruit, blackcurrants and wild fennel.

 

The 2025 Marlborough vintage produced wines of real character, with Sauvignon Blanc showing vibrancy, expressiveness and a hallmark sense of purity. The resulting 2025 Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc reveals a palate layered with vibrant citrus and ripe herbal notes, finishing with fresh, juicy acidity.

 

Don’t just take our word for it – the 2025 Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc has secured multiple gold medals in competitions, while influential wine critics including Bob Campbell, James Suckling and Cameron Douglas have scored the wine highly.

 

 

“Tangy acidity balanced by fruit sweetness creating an exquisite sweet/sour tension”

93 points

Bob Campbell

“Juicy, citrusy and lively, with a flavourful finish”

91 points

James Suckling

“Crisp and dry, saline and fresh, plenty of fruit power and fine lees moments adding texture and length”

93 Points

Cameron Douglas

Classically

Marlborough

Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc is part of our Reserve range, made from select fruit parcels to produce the ultimate expression of varietal and region.

 

Only made in the best vintages – the 2024 Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc also received a 91 from James Suckling and a 90 from Erin Larkin – this is an exceptional choice for those looking for a quintessential Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

 

Perfect for special occasions or celebrations, or when you simply want to treat yourself.

Perfect pairing

Recipe

For an easy but impressive paired meal, our winemakers recommend serving Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc with grilled snapper, accompanied by a fresh salad of rocket, goat cheese and pine nuts.

 

Or other classic combinations include…

 

Fresh seafood – Sauvignon Blanc is ideal with a range of seafood, from oysters through to shrimp cocktails, seared scallops and grilled fish.

 

Simple salads – the herbaceous notes in Sauvignon Blanc work wonderfully with crisp, herby salads.

 

Charcuterie board – the versatility of Sauvignon Blanc makes it a fabulous companion to a cheese platter or fully loaded charcuterie board. Don’t forget to add a creamy goat cheese for the ultimate pairing.

Find the recipe
]]> Smoked Salmon Blinis https://test.villamariawines.com/smoked-salmon-blinis/ Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:39:08 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11302

Ingredients

Blinis (or use store bought blinis):

1 cup plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

3/4 cup milk

25g melted butter

Smoked Salmon topping:

1/2 cup crème fraîche

1 tsp lemon juice

black pepper, to taste

150g smoked salmon

dill, to garnish

Method

  1. Make the Blinis:
  2. Whisk the egg with milk and melted butter.
  3. Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix until smooth.
  4. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Spoon small rounds of batter into the pan and cook 1–2 minutes until bubbles form. Flip and cook 1 more minute until golden.
  5. Prepare the Topping:
  6. Mix crème fraîche with lemon juice and a pinch of black pepper.
  7. Assemble:
  8. Spread a dollop of the crème fraîche mixture onto each blini.
  9. Top with smoked salmon and a sprig of dill. Serve immediately.

Pairs with

Sparkling Cuvee Brut

Pale straw in colour, this sparkling wine presents with fresh citrus and floral notes on the nose. The crisp palate is refreshing with a subtle brioche note providing richness and complexity.

Learn more
Where to buy
]]> Lemon Meringue Cheesecake https://test.villamariawines.com/lemon-cheesecake-2/ Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:12:30 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11293

Ingredients

Base

250g plain sweet biscuits (i.e. digestive, shortbread)

140g butter, melted

Cheesecake Filling

500g cream cheese, softened

300g sour cream

3/4 cup caster sugar

1 tbsp finely grated lemon zest

2 tbsp lemon juice

3 eggs

Meringue Topping

3 egg whites

3/4 cup caster sugar

Method

  1. Prepare the base: Line a 22cm springform tin with baking paper. Crush the biscuits to fine crumbs, then mix with melted butter. Press firmly into the base and slightly up the sides of the tin. Refrigerate while you make the filling.
  2. Make the filling: Heat the oven to 160°C. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined. Pour the mixture over the chilled base.
  3. Bake the cheesecake: Bake for 1 hour, or until the centre only has a slight wobble. Turn the oven off, leave the door slightly open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for about 2 hours. Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until firm.
  4. Whip the meringue: Using a clean bowl, whisk egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until the mixture is glossy and holds firm peaks.
  5. Finish: Spoon or pipe the meringue over the cheesecake. Use a kitchen torch to lightly toast the top, or briefly grill under a hot oven grill until golden.
  6. Serve: Slice and enjoy

Pairs with

Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc

Capturing the essence of Marlborough, pungent herbal aromas lead into a juicy palate bursting with zesty grapefruit and rock-melon, with a round weighty finish.

Learn more
Where to buy
]]> A Classic Holiday Table https://test.villamariawines.com/classic-holiday-table/ Mon, 24 Nov 2025 01:21:20 +0000 https://test.villamariawines.com/?p=11267

A table decked with delicious food is the centrepiece of every holiday celebration.

The festive season is all about bringing people together, but hosting doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner or a lively gathering, a thoughtfully prepared menu paired with beautiful wine can transform any occasion into something truly memorable.

Entree

Smoked Salmon Blinis

These smoked salmon blinis are very easy to make, and you can either whip up your own blinis from scratch or use store-bought for extra convenience. They’re the perfect starter to enjoy with a sparkling wine such as our Sparkling Cuvée Brut, or with a dry rosé such as our Cellar Selection Rosé.

Find recipe here

Main Course

Roast chicken with lemon, herbs & vegetables

With crisp, golden skin and tender, juicy meat, this roast chicken makes the perfect centrepiece. Enjoy it alongside our Private Bin Chardonnay for an effortless, delicious pairing. It also goes wonderfully with maple roasted brussel sprouts as a side dish.

Find recipe here

Vegetarian Main

Eggplant & Mushroom rigatoni

Rich and delicious, our Rigatoni with Eggplant and Mushrooms recipe is the perfect pasta dish. Pair it with our vibrant Private Bin Pinot Noir, the perfect compliment to the earthy flavours in this dish.

Find recipe here

Dessert

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake

With its silky lemon filling and clouds of golden meringue, this dessert delivers indulgence with a fresh citrus lift. Serve with a chilled glass of our Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc for the perfect finish.

Find recipe here
]]>