Honorary Life Members are those who in the unanimous opinion of the Board have rendered signal service to the Hawke’s Bay grape wine producing industry in any capacity, and who by virtue of their attainments or reputation are worthy of special recognition.
Sir George was presented with his Award by Fabian Yukich, Chair New Zealand Winegrowers.
Sir George Fistonich is a monumental figure in the New Zealand wine industry, celebrated for his determination, innovation, and passion.
Born into a Croatian immigrant family, from a young age he harboured strong ambitions to become a winemaker.
At just 21, George made a pivotal decision to leave the carpentry career his parents had chosen for him, and begin making his own wine in Mangere.
In 1961, newly married and with an unwavering drive to succeed , George and his wife Gail launched Villa Maria Wines.
Leasing five acres of land from his family, George built a winery that would become a cornerstone of New Zealand’s wine heritage.
From the outset, George demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to quality and belief in surrounding himself with the very best people
A quick scan of the career histories of the many talented winemakers and viticulturists active in the Hawke’s Bay wine scene will reveal just how many had flourished under Sir George’s leadership at some time in their career.
Sir George was also the first to pay growers based on the quality of their grapes rather than just quantity, a significant milestone for the industry.
His innovative mindset gave him the conviction to lead Villa Maria to be the first major winery in New Zealand to adopt screw caps, enhancing the quality and consistency of his wines.
It is fair to say that Sir George has always been a passionate believer in the Hawke’s Bay region and that belief was driven by his early recognition of the quality of the vineyards and the wines he could produce.
He first expanded into Hawke’s Bay by acquiring Vidal Estate in 1976, which was to become home to New Zealand’s first winery restaurant, hard to imagine now. In 1987, he added Glenvale Vineyard, home to Esk Valley, further solidifying his influence in the Hawke’s Bay Wine scene. Te Awa Winery was also added to the portfolio in 2012, and Sir George and the team further developed the potential of innovative brand Leftfield to extend the winery’s appeal to a new consumer.
Sir George has played a significant part in the development of the Gimblett Gravels region. Under Sir George’s leadership, Villa Maria invested heavily in Gimblett Gravels and helped to put it on the international map.
His remarkable contributions across the whole New Zealand wine sector, earned him widespread recognition, culminating in a knighthood in 2009 for his services to New Zealand's wine industry.
Sir George’s wines have consistently garnered international acclaim, positioning Villa Maria among the finest wineries globally.
Recently, Sir George’s Fistonich Family Vineyards launched their latest venture, Čuvar Winery in Bay View, based at the historic Esk Valley Winery site. The name "Čuvar," meaning "Guardian" in Croatian, symbolizes their commitment to preserving the legacy of those who helped establish the New Zealand wine industry while embracing a new horizon. Together, they envision a future of winemaking that is diverse, sustainable, and authentic.
