Wine Spectator: New Zealand’s Villa Maria Winery Buys Te Awa

One of New Zealand’s largest wineries, Villa Maria, has purchased the vineyard and winery assets of Te Awa Winery in Hawkes Bay, reports Wine Spectator. The deal, which includes 250 acres of land with 130 acres planted to grapes, makes Villa Maria the largest vineyard owner in the Gimblett Gravels subregion of Hawkes Bay. The sale price was not disclosed.

Villa Maria is purchasing Te Awa from Julian Robertson, who also owns three luxury resorts in New Zealand, including Cape Kidnappers Lodge and Golf Course in Hawkes Bay. Te Awa’s Hawkes Bay Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Bordeaux-style blends are exported to the U.S., but a second label of limited-production wines called Kidnapper Cliffs, has not been.

“(We intend to) maintain Te Awa Winery as an autonomous boutique operation to preserve both the heritage and quality of these wines going forward,” said Fabian Yukich, Villa Maria’s executive director. “The rights to the names Te Awa and Kidnappers Cliffs as well as their subsidiary brands are included in the purchase.”

Tagged : New Zealand, wine

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