New Zealand Winery Takes Centre Stage
Sir George Fistonich of Villa Maria Estate to Attend Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival

Sir George Fistonich, esteemed founder of New Zealand winery Villa Maria Estate, will attend the 32nd Annual Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival from April 19-25. New Zealand, along with Argentina, is a theme region at this year’s event.

Sir George Fistonich founded Villa Maria Estate in Auckland in 1961. With vision, passion and determination, has steered the company to become New Zealand’s leading wine award winner, both locally and overseas. Today, Villa Maria Estate operates the Auckland Winery and Cellar Door, along with the Marlborough Winery and Cellar Door, located in the South Island’s highly regarded Marlborough wine-growing region. Along with Auckland and Marlborough, Villa Maria Estate Winery’s premium grapes are grown in the North Island’s Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions.

In 2009, Fistonich was knighted for his significant contribution to the New Zealand wine industry, becoming the first person to be acknowledged for services to New Zealand’s wine industry. In 2004, Fistonich was shortlisted as one of the 50 most prominent figures in the wine industry by UK Wine International magazine. In 2005, he was named New Zealand’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Fistonich has long focused on the importance of regional differences in relation to grape quality and wine styles. He pioneered the use of contract growers and led Villa Maria to become the first New Zealand wine company to initiate payment for grapes based on quality rather than a flat contract price.

Villa Maria Estate wines will be featured at the following 32nd Annual Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival events: Get Uncorked! (April 19); Big Sky Party & Grill (April 20); International Festival Tasting (April 22-24); A Celebration of Passion (April 24); and Vintners Brunch (April 25). Tickets can be purchased online at www.playhousewinefest.com.