Sir George Fistonich, the founder of Villa Maria, one of New Zealand’s most well-known wine brands, has launched a new venture, Čuvar Winery, marking a shift from his family’s historic focus on large-scale production to a boutique approach. The new winery, which officially began operations in 2023, draws upon Fistonich’s extensive experience in the wine industry but with a clear distinction from his previous success.
Fistonich, who founded Villa Maria in 1961 at the age of 21, had initially intended to pursue a career as a carpenter before leasing five acres of land from his Croatian father to grow grapes. What followed was the creation of a wine brand that would become a household name, eventually valued at over $200 million. In 2021, as Villa Maria neared its 60th anniversary, rumors circulated that the brand might be sold. The speculation proved true when Indevin, a wine company, acquired Villa Maria, leaving Fistonich to shift his focus to a new project.
Čuvar Winery, which has vineyards primarily in Hawke’s Bay rather than Marlborough, offers a refined and exclusive approach to winemaking. Unlike Villa Maria, which produces millions of bottles annually, Čuvar is a small-scale operation, producing fewer than 10,000 cases each year. Its focus is on premium wines, particularly Chardonnay, rather than the more commonly known Sauvignon Blanc. The winery’s products are priced higher, with Chardonnays available for NZ$45 (approx. £19.80) and “lower tier” wines priced around NZ$25 (approx. £11).
Karen Fistonich, Sir George’s daughter and the current CEO of Čuvar, describes the winery’s philosophy as a “vineyard-first approach,” emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity. With extensive experience in the wine industry, Karen has worked alongside her father for nearly three decades and aims to elevate the profile of Hawke’s Bay wines on the global stage.
The winery’s team is committed to producing wines that reflect balance, structure, and subtlety. Winemaking consultant Michelle Richardson will depart after Čuvar’s 2025 vintage to pursue her own projects, but the rest of the team, including viticulturist Odette Preston and winemaker Dave Mackintosh, remains with the company. Čuvar’s vineyards span 100 hectares, including the renowned Gimblett Gravels, as well as a recently acquired site in Crownthorpe.
Though Čuvar intends to forge its own identity, there are clear ties to Villa Maria’s legacy. Some of Čuvar’s vineyards, including those in Gimblett Gravels, were previously used by Villa Maria, and the new winery is tapping into Villa Maria’s established distribution networks in key international markets. Čuvar’s goal is to cultivate relationships with distributors who are seeking premium New Zealand wines, particularly those with a focus on Hawke’s Bay.
In addition to its focus on Chardonnay, Čuvar is also seeking to put premium rosé from Hawke’s Bay on the map, with their 2023 Cornerstone Vineyard Rosé and the 2023 Iris rosé, a blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah. Both wines are positioned as high-quality offerings for New Zealand’s wine enthusiasts.
Čuvar’s commitment to sustainability is evident, with the winery holding 100% Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand accreditation. The winery’s design also includes a Green Star rating, which aims to reduce its carbon footprint and transform the environmental impact of commercial buildings.
Looking to the future, Sir George Fistonich remains involved in the business, and there are discussions about expanding Čuvar’s culinary offerings at its Bayview winery in Napier. Fistonich, who previously opened New Zealand’s first winery restaurant, is excited about creating a new food and wine destination with Čuvar, underscoring his lifelong passion for sharing wine and food with others.
Čuvar Winery, with its smaller scale and refined approach, aims to carve out its niche in the competitive wine industry while honoring the legacy of Villa Maria. The winery’s commitment to producing high-quality wines and its focus on sustainability suggest a bright future for the next chapter in the Fistonich family’s winemaking journey.
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