Let’s Get Ready for #FirstSipNZ #VillaMaria Virtual Tasting…

It’s that time!

Villa Maria Winery was founded in 1961 in New Zealand, and produces premium wines. It is owned by Chateau Ste. Michele Estates.

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Please join me and other wine writers, influencers and Kiwi aficionados

for another #FirstSipNZ virtual tasting, featuring #VillaMaria

Single Vineyard wines sourced from Taylors Pass in New Zealand.

When: June 21, 2018 – 5 p PST

Where: Twitter

Follow hashtags:

#FirstSipNZ

#OpenAnotherWorld

#VillaMaria

@binnotes

Why should you care?

Because Villa Maria is one of the oldest, grandest, and most respected wineries in New Zealand.

Because when Chateau Ste. Michelle Estates bought Villa Maria, they didn’t scrimp on farming, or production, or quality.

Because these wines source from Taylor’s Pass in Marlborough, on the tip of New Zealand’s south island.

Spectacular.

What else should I know?

Well, if you’re a wine geek, or just like travel factoids, Taylor’s Pass boasts many you can trot out on Trivia night.

For those who are not familiar with the vineyard, Taylor’s Pass nestles in the Awatere Valley on the northern banks of the Awatere River, a river running east to west through the region before eventually emptying out into Clifford Bay.

Each terrace of the vineyard sports varying soil types:

stony gravels nearest the river

silt over gravels mid-terrace

deeper silt over clay-papa (blue-grey mudstone) base on the highest terrace

These different soils, plus a cool, easterly wind, serve up a plethora of ripening patterns and complex flavors.

Bonus: What wines are featured?

Well, I could tell you, but that wouldn’t be much fun, would it?

I can give you some hints:

We’ll taste three wines.

Two will be white wines.

One will be a red wine.

Two will be wines made from varietals for which New Zealand is well-known.

One varietal will be lesser-known, but equally delicious.

All will be premium wines ($25-40).

All come with New Zealand’s trademark screw-tops.

All are available in US markets.

Questions?

Leave them below, or find me on social media.