Auckland, New Zealand (Mar. 15, 2016) — Drinks International, one of the most trusted and respected global drink journals, has named Villa Maria as the eighth most admired wine brand in the world and the only New Zealand winery to make the prestigious top 10 list. This is the second year running that Villa Maria has been included in the top 10 list. More than 200 of the world’s top masters of wine, sommeliers, educators and journalists took part in the annual poll, which considers wine brands from all regions, styles and qualities.
Christian Davis, Editor of Drinks International commented on Villa Maria’s inclusion in the list, saying “The World’s most Admired Wine Brands is all about asking key buyers, specifier and opinion formers which wine brands they most admire. We spread the net from multiple retailer and global travel retail buyers to wine writers, journalists, masters of wine and wine educators. That way we get a representative sample of brands from highly expensive iconic wines to commercial brands we see on supermarket shelves and airport shops around the world,” he said.
“Villa Maria fits the bill perfectly. A brand virtually everyone admires, respects and, most importantly, drinks. A flag bearer for everything that is good about New Zealand. Well done to George Fistonich and all his team. Great man, great wines,” Davis continued.
Drinks International‘s 2016 Top 10 Most Admired Wine Brands
- Penfolds
- Torres
- Ridge
- Casillero del Diablo
- M. Chapoutier
- Guigal
- Errazuriz
- Villa Maria
- Chateau d’Yquem
- Tio Pepe
About VILLA MARIA:
The Villa Maria story is one of absolute passion. Each wine is crafted in the unique, fruit-driven style of New Zealand, showcasing the very best of the country’s distinct wine regions. Villa Maria sources grapes from New Zealand’s premium grape growing regions, including Marlborough and Hawkes Bay, and produces wines in state-of-the-art winemaking facilities in Auckland and Marlborough. The winery Sir George Fistonich started in 1961 is still family owned and stands as an icon of superior quality and innovation in New Zealand winemaking. To learn more, visit www.villamariawine.com. Follow Villa Maria on Facebook at @Villa Maria Estate and on Twitter at @VillaMaria_USA.
ABOUT DRINKS INTERNATIONAL
The Drinks International ‘World’s Most Admired Wine Brands’ is an annual publication, the list for which is compiled by polling over 200 wine industry experts from The Academy of Masters of Wine, sommeliers, educators and journalists who critique and vote on the ‘Most Admired Wine Brands’ in the world. www.drinksint.com
