Villa Maria seeks new blood at helm

By SIMON HENDERY

The country's third-largest wine producer, Villa Maria, is seeking a chief executive to take over operational duties from company founder and industry stalwart George Fistonich.

Villa Maria has launched an international search for a chief executive designate.

Once an appointed is made, Fistonich will swap his managing director's job for the role of executive chairman.

Fistonich said the appointment which could take a few months to finalise would allow him more time to focus on the company's long-term strategies and individual projects.

"There is quite a requirement in the wine industry now to travel to keep in touch with agents overseas.

"They like to see owner-winemakers or proprietors.

"I believe the time is right in the long-term interest of the company to bring in new blood to fulfil the role of a CEO," he said.

The new chief executive would oversee the management of vineyards, viticulture, winemaking, production, sales, marketing export, restaurant, administration and financial operations.

Fistonich, who is 63, founded Mangere-based Villa Maria in 1961.

The company now produces wine from about 1000ha of vines about 7 per cent of the country's total producing vineyard area making it the third largest producer behind Montana and Nobilo.

Fistonich said one of the projects his new role would allow him to concentrate on would be ongoing development of the company's new $30 million, 40ha winery and head office site on the Ihumatao Peninsula, in Mangere.

The first stage of the project, a new winery and bottling hall, is due to be completed in about a year's time.

The second stage of the project involves developing the site as a tourist destination featuring a vineyard park, restaurant, accommodation and an outdoor venue for up to 8,000 people.