VILAURA
Hawke’s Bay / Marlborough / Central Otago
Facts.
First Vintage: 2019
Scale: 5-8T Single Vineyard Parcels
Range: Blanc de Blanc / Methode Traditionelle
Did you know… Jascha used to be a qualified pilot and had his airline licence. Wine was always his passion as he is part of the SELAK family of NZ.
About
Meet Jascha and his partner Sanne who are focused intently on producing premium Methode Traditionelle.
Jascha, is an apple that has not fallen far from the Selak wine family tree. He carries forward a rich legacy into the New Zealand wine industry from his ancestors and is driven by a deep-seated passion. His journey began in aviation as a training airline pilot, but fate soon led him to find his wings in wine.
In 2017, during his wine studies in the Hawke's Bay, Jascha crossed paths with Sanne Witteveen, a fellow wine student and with a shared vision for the future of the wine industry.
Having completed a concurrent degree in Viticulture and wine science, Jascha's fascination with Methode Traditionelle became his singular focus. This intricate winemaking style, demanding meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of yeast biology for its dual fermentations, captured his heart and mind.
"The concept of 'time in the making,' aging on lees, and the patience required for autolytic development further deepened my appreciation for this specialisation." - Jascha
Hand-harvesting and whole bunch pressing of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, his beloved varieties, felt like an instinctive choice, and allows him to foster a profound connection with the wine from its early stages.
Upon graduating in 2018, the concept of VILAURA took shape, with its inaugural 2019 harvest producing 4,500 bottles and 200 magnums of Hawke's Bay Blanc de Blanc.
VILAURA was named through the joining of the two words “Villa” & “Aura” meaning the “House of Energy”.
VILAURA stands as a pioneer, exclusively dedicated to NZ Methode Traditionelle, possibly the first to create single vineyard single vintage Methode Traditionelle wines from all three major producing regions of NZ. With close ties to growers and winemaking facilities in Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, and Central Otago, VILAURA ensures meticulous attention to detail, from tirage to disgorgement.
“Our philosophy is to produce Methode Traditionelle wines that express the region that they are grown - each region had its ideal grape variety and we will produce various wine styles that suit that region.“ - Jascha
Their range includes the 2019 Hawke's Bay Blanc de Blanc and the 2020 Marlborough Blanc de Blanc, with future releases including the 2021 Hawke's Bay Blanc de Blanc and the 2022 Marlborough Cuvee.
As they look ahead, Jascha and Sanne are eager to expand their portfolio to include a range of Roses from Marlborough and Central Otago, aspiring to create an affordable luxury range of New Zealand wines synonymous with celebration.
VILAURA embodies a commitment to excellence, offering a luxury experience and a sense of festivity to all who share their wines.
“Time is the greatest attribute to our house style and we will never compromise on giving each wine a full 36+ months on lees in bottle. Packaging experience and feel are equally of importance to the VILAURA brand and we aspire to offer a luxury experience and a strong sense of celebration to all that share our wines.” - Jascha
