After 21 years of growing grapes organically, iconic New Zealand winery Villa Maria is launching ‘EarthGarden’ – its first organic wine range to meet the rising global demand for sustainable produce and as part of its commitment to converting 100% of its company vineyards to be organically managed by 2030.
EarthGarden is the culmination of a two-decade journey of discovery in some of New Zealand’s best wine regions. The wines have already garnered interest from some of the world’s largest retailers, but New Zealanders will be the first to get their hands on the EarthGarden range both online and in-store nationwide from 1 March 2021.
“The global organic wine market was forecasted last year by IWSR to grow 43% by 2024, and New Zealand’s $2Bn wine industry is well positioned to capitalise on this trend,” says Matt Deller MW, Villa Maria’s Chief Global Sales & Marketing Officer. “Villa Maria, as one of New Zealand’s first and largest organic wine producers aims to help lead the charge with EarthGarden, which is already attracting significant interest from several of the world’s largest retailers.”
Villa Maria Head of Marketing and Communications Sarah Szegota said, “Villa Maria wines are made for the moment and these wines perfectly capture a moment in time, whether it be cool nights, long hot days, or the warm Pacific breeze of the growing season. The essence and purity of the New Zealand landscape has been bottled in the EarthGarden range, and we can’t wait to share these wines with the world.”
Thrilled with the launch of EarthGarden, Villa Maria Viticulturalist Hannah Ternent said, “Organic farming accentuates flavour in other natural produce such as fruits and vegetables, and it’s the same for wine too. Wines made from organically grown grapes have more intense and evocative flavours. When you taste the EarthGarden wines, you taste the care put into the soil, the conscious tending of the vines, the careful handling of the fruit produced and the respect for our relationship with the land.”
Launching from 1 March, EarthGarden is a sustainable showcase of the best of Kiwi winemaking. 100% BioGro certified, the range includes Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2020, Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 and Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019.
