The founder of the country’s most awarded winery, Villa Maria Estate, stepped aside as chief executive earlier this year, handing over to an Australian, Abe Salt.
But as president, Sir George remains heavily involved in the business, which started in 1961. One of his projects is building a new winery and retail centre at Te Awa in the premium Gimblett Gravels area of Hawke’s Bay. It will replace the Esk Valley and Vidal Estate wineries in Hastings. Sir George is also Villa Maria’s global ambassador, promoting its brands in more than 60 international markets.
Villa Maria’s 2017 ranking of fourth in Drinks International’s list of the world’s most admired wine brands dropped to eighth this year and it continues to rack up awards here and overseas.
It was voted New Zealand’s most trusted wine brand by Reader’s Digest for the second time in the past three years.
“We’re one of the few remaining New Zealand family-owned wineries of our size left in New Zealand, and this is something we’re immensely proud of,” Sir George said when this was announced.
“This teamed with our focus on quality means wine lovers can trust they will enjoy our all wines from well-known varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, right through to new wines such as Albariño.”