Canterbury And Waipara Valley Wines

Canterbury is a relatively new wine region, with the first grapes being planted in 1977. With the town of Christchurch at its centre, the region covers an area from the slopes of the Southern Alps to the ocean on the east of the island. Initially dismissed as being too cold to produce grapes, the region enjoys warm summers, low rainfall, free-draining soils, and chilly, frosty winters. Waipara is an area within the Canterbury region, which is warmer, and has recently developed its own identity in terms of wine styles and varieties.

Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay are the main grapes grown, and Pegasus Bay and Waipara are the best known wineries in the region.