There were plenty of smiles on the Villa Maria front after last night's presentations at the Hawke's Bay A&P Bayleys Wine Awards at Waikoko Gardens.
Its highly acclaimed Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2013 took out the prestigious title of Champion Wine of Show.
It was the third time Villa Maria has picked up the Champions Wine of Show since the awards began in 2001, and the second time its Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay had hit the top spot with the judges.
It took the title in 2011 with the 2010 vintage doing the job.
Villa Maria also took out the 2008 Champion Wine of Show with its 2006 Cellar Selection Syrah.
Last night's big win also proved to be a step up from last year's awards when its 2012 Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay picked up a gold medal.
Delighted Villa Maria viticulturist Ollie Powrie was also happy to be presented with a unique trophy alongside the established Historic A&P Wine Awards Cup.
It is a specially designed original piece of work by artist David Trubridge which is Villa Maria's to keep - whereas the cup will be held for one year. And maybe even two, given the equally exceptional 2014 vintage, although Mr Powrie was taking a clear "we'll wait and see" approach to that suggestion.
"This is a great accolade for the wine and the vineyard," he said, adding the potential for chardonnay in Hawke's Bay was "huge" and the characteristics of the Keltern Vineyard, east of Maraekakaho, made for the creation of some of the best - as last night's awards proved.
For Villa Maria, the Keltern spread of 14 hectares was number one for the variety and recently more had been planted after the removal of some pinot noir, gewurztraminer and semillon.
"It is the soil," Mr Powrie said when asked the secret to Keltern where the chardonnay vines have grown for 15 years. "It is free-draining over gravel and shingle and the vines are naturally well balanced in the soil."
There was also the unique daytime/night-time temperature variations.
"After a warm day it cools down more than other areas - it's the cool air coming down off the ranges that creates slower ripening and intensifies the flavours."
Mr Powrie said while there were always challenges, the 2013 season had been "a dream" because there was no pressure applied by the weather.
"And 2014 was also exceptional and they (its wines) will also shine."
He paid tribute to Villa Maria owner and managing director George Fistonich: "He allows us as viticulturists and winemakers to capture the potential of the vineyard - he allows us to maximise the site from pruning through to harvest."
So after two great vintages was 2015 stacking up to make it three in a row at this stage?
"The vines are looking pretty healthy and there is plenty of canopy ... it's off to a great start."
Winners
Supreme awards
Champion Wine of the Show:Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2013
Reserve Champion Wine of the Show: Couper's Shed Syrah 2013
Winery of the Year: Ash Ridge Wines
Champion Export Wine of the Show: Mills Reef Reserve Hawke's Bay Merlot Malbec 2013
Champion Commercial White Wine of the Show: Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke's Bay Viognier 2014
Champion Commercial Red Wine of the Show: Sileni Estate Selection 'The Triangle' Merlot 2013
Best Student Wine: Manuele Peretti
Hawke's Bay A&P Society Young Vintners Scholarship: Lochlan Bainbridge
Jenny Nilsson House of Travel Hawke's Bay Cellar Door of the Year: Junction Wines
2014 GOLD Trophy WiNNERS MERLOT: Ash Ridge Wines, Ash Ridge Merlot 2013
Red Blends - Cabernet Sauvignon Dominant: Beach House Wines, Beach House Cabernet Malbec 2013
Red Blends - Merlot Dominant: Mills Reef Winery, Mills Reef Reserve Hawke's Bay Merlot Malbec 2013
Syrah: Pernod Ricard, Couper's Shed Syrah 2013
Other Premium Red Varietals and Blends: Black Barn Vineyards, Black Barn Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2013
Chardonnay: Villa Maria Estate, Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2013
Sauvignon Blanc and/or Semillon: Clearview Estate, Clearview Estate Reserve Sauvignon Blanc - Barrique Fermented 2013
Pinot Gris: Sileni Estates, Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2014
Viognier: Villa Maria Estate, Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke's Bay Viognier 2014
Premium White Varietals: Yealands Wine Group, Crossroads Milestone Series Gewurztraminer 2014
Sweet Wines: Esk Valley, Esk Valley Hawke's Bay Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2013
Rose': Villa Maria Estate, Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke's Bay Rose' 2014
Museum Class: Clearview Estate, Clearview Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2009
2014 SILVER BEST IN CLASS
Pinot Noir: Junction Wines, Junction Possession Pinot Noir 2013
Sparking: Taurus Wine Group Ltd, Matariki Les Filles Blanc de Blanc 2009