Villa Maria Estate's founder and sole owner, George Fistonich, was yesterday rewarded for his services to the wine industry by Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright at Government House, Auckland. Fistonich, 65, with wife Gail, right, was named a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in June.
Fistonich, who grew up helping his Croatian father manage half a hectare of grapes, said the award was "very exciting and surprising".
Founded in 1961, Villa Maria now exports wine to 40 countries and employs 230 workers.
Fistonich ... for grape services
Picture / Paul Estcourt
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