Villa Maria Estate has been ranked fourth in the world in an influential list of the most admired wine brands.
It's the highest-ever placing for a New Zealand company on the Drinks International list.
Villa Maria founder Sir George Fistonich says the 200 judges are probably about the most experienced and knowledgeable in their field.
"This is actually a very very big award. It's great to be in the company of $800 a bottle wines."
Sir George says it'll drive awareness and exposure not just of Villa Maria, but for the New Zealand wine industry as a whole.
Sir George Fistonich says agents in the US and UK are extremely excited.
"Though New Zealand is becoming more and more recognised in the wine industry, but there's still a lot of people who think we're part of Australia."
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