Canterbury is a region on the South Island of New Zealand, the country’s fourth largest. The region’s largest city, Christchurch, is picturesquely English in style. The region is dominated by the vast and empty Canterbury plains, which sweep from the magnificent Southern Alps of New Zealand to the east cost of the South Island. A relatively new wine region its first vineyard was planted in 1977. Most Canterbury wineries are short drives from Christchurch. To the east of Christchurch are the wineries of Banks Peninsula, to the south are those of Burnham, and to the north are those of the rapidly expanding Waipara sub-region known for quality Rieslings. 

Terroir: Canterbury is marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Canterbury is becoming well known and appreciated for its Riesling and Pinot Noir wines. The soils of the region are stony and alluvial. The climate is hot and dry in summer, and often cool, clear and frosty in winter. 

Vineyards: The with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape varieties making up nearly 60% of the region’s vineyards, Riesling comes in third as the most popular grown variety with Sauvignon Blanc in fourth place.