Villa Maria shares winemaking journey in new Amazon Prime documentary

Villa Maria has shared an insight into the highs and lows of world-class wine making in a pioneering new documentary.

Vintage is a feature-length programme which explores the challanges that the New Zealand producer faces in bringing a wine from grape to bottle. 

Following an exclusive first viewing at London's Mayfair Hotel and premieres in Bulgaria and America, it will be available on Amazon Prime from 27 February.

The documentary shows the first-hand experiences of winemakers and viticulturists Stu Dudley, Nick Picone, Jess Marston and Ollie Powrie to document the pursuit of wine perfection at Villa Maria, from the gruelling harvests to unveiling the finished product.

Stu Dudley said: "Vintage is about so much more than wine. This documentary truly encapsulates, for the first time, the mighty undertaking, long hours, passionate people and remarkable skill behind quality New Zealand wine. It gives a voice to a fascinating group of wine specialists and gives wine lovers a new perspective behind their favourite wines."

Oz Clarke, author and wine expert, called Vintage "a tremendous watch". He said: "New Zealand's vineyards have rarely looked more alluring. The winery processes seem challenging and intruiging and are explained in an easy, lucid style, and the bunch of local Kiwis and foreign drop-ins the director has assembled to talk us through the 40 days from picking the first grape to closing down the final vat are an engaging crew who tell us really interesting, personal stuff."

21 February 2020 - Bethany Whymark