What makes Waipara wine unique?
North Canterbury is a large region, spanning 200km starting from down south at Rakaia reaching all the way up north to Cheviot. It includes four distinct subregions: Waipara (Glasnevin and Omihi), Waikari, and the Banks Peninsula and Canterbury Plains.
Waipara is the main subregion of North Canterbury, and includes the areas of Glasnevin on the valley floor alongside the Waipara river and Omihi further north. Glasnevin hosts gravelly, free-draining soils deposited by an ice-age glacier, while Omihi sits higher on hills of clay and limestone soils. Waikari is inland from the valley, and like Waipara, is sheltered from strong north-westerly winds by the nearby Teviotdale Hills.
Closer to Christchurch is the Banks Peninsula and Canterbury Plains, home to the oldest pinot noir vines in the country, with a mixture of basalt and stony soils.
Such a diverse collection of microclimates and soils results in a region boasting a long list of wine styles. Expect an abundance of quality pinot noir in both elegant and robust styles, alongside stone-fruited chardonnay and fresh rieslings. But also keep a lookout for the region’s take on pinot gris, gewürztraminer, and the rare examples of syrah, cabernet franc and albarino.
Planning a visit to Christchurch?
Here’s how to spend three days discovering this special little region, its best drops and the community who make them.
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