Waipara Valley, North Canterbury is a region in North Canterbury on the South Island of New Zealand. As its name suggests it falls within within the wider Canterbury region. It lies around an hour’s drive north of Christchurch. It is known for its Riesling, plus Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Terroir: Soils comprise gravels and clays. The main wind is the drying nor’wester. from which surrounding hills offer some protection and a slightly warmer climate than the rest of Canterbury.

Sub-regions: Canterbury Plains, North Canterbury. | North Canterbury.

Pinot noir: ‘Coastally oriented, but continentally influenced, Waipara sits halfway between Otago and Marlborough, stylistically and geographically,’ says Paul White (Sept 2008).

Wineries

No certification: Camshorn.

Bibliography

Paul White, quoted in Decanter, ‘New Zealand Pinot Noir: The results’, Sept 2008, p.80.