Sir George Fistonich

Sir George Fistonich KNZM is the Founder and Owner of Villa Maria Estate Ltd, New Zealand’s leading wine award winner and exporter to over 50 countries.

In addition to founding Villa Maria at age 21 in 1961, Sir George opened New Zealand’s first licensed winery restaurant in 1979 at the Vidal Estate, setting the standard and leading the way for vineyard restaurants around the country.

He was knighted in 2009 for his services to the wine industry and he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Wine Challenge Awards in London in 2011.