Yet again, Villa Maria has shown its class and quality as a producer of some of this country’s top wines, the Villa Maria Reserve Gisborne Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2007 taking the Trophy for Champion Wine of the Show. This is 
Gisborne, in fact New Zealand Chardonnay at its best, showing a richness and breadth combined with harmony and balance, giving an overall impression of restrained concentration and style. The ripe melon and citrus fruit flavors and superbly complexed by cashew nut oak and minerally acidity. The wine is most enjoyable now, but will develop over the next 4-5 years.
The Bragato Wine Awards recognizes achievements by grape growers and their vineyard sites, and this Villa Maria Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2007 is based on Clone 95 and Mendoza fruit from the western-edged, north-facing McDiarmid Hill vineyard. 30% wild yeast and 50% malolactic fermentations, and 10 months maturation in 44% new French barrels have yielded this powerful 14% alcohol beauty that is remarkably integrated in all its proportions. As Larry McKenna, Chairman of Judges says, “This is a fantastic example of a modern New Zealand Chardonnay with complexity and depth – truly deserving of the Champion Wine of Show title”.