Villa Maria shone at the 2016 Romeo Bragato Wine Awards, particularly with its Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Chardonnay 2014 (winner of the Bragato Champion Wine of the Show Trophy - Champion Single Vineyard, and the Bill Irwin Trophy for Champion Chardonnay) and Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2014 (winner of th Richard Smart Trophy - Champion Domaine Wine).
The Auckland-based winery also impressed judges with its Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Gewürztraminer 2014 (Champion Gewürztraminer) and Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Noble Riesling Botrytis Selection 2015 (Champion Sweet Wine).