Sticking to his guns

George Fistonich, founder and owner of New Zealand’s self-proclaimed most successful winery, Villa Maria Estate, is living proof of the wisdom of sticking to a quality ethic, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Huon Hooke writes. Fistonich’s ambition was always to be New Zealand’s most successful winemaker. The list of awards and wine shows that Villa has topped over the years is astonishing. “Great wine starts with exceptional vineyards and exceptional people,” Fistonich says. “If you have these foundations, you have the best chance of making the best wines.” The Villa Maria group — including Hawkes Bay wineries Vidal and Esk Valley — is about to celebrate its 5th anniversary. To celebrate, Fistonich recently toured Australia with his chief winemaker, Alistair Maling, showcasing four vintages of single-vineyard pinot noir.