Canterbury
Canterbury, centred on the lovely Waipara Valley, produces elegant Pinot Noir and racy Riesling in a cool, dry, lime-dusted country north of Christchurch.
Fast facts
At a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Climate | Cool, dry, strong fohn winds |
| Geography | Plains and foothills around Christchurch on the South Island |
| Key appellations | Canterbury GI · Waipara · Waipara Valley |
| Main grapes | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris |
| Famous for | Waipara Pinot Noir, Riesling, Limestone soils |
Grapes
Signature grapes of Canterbury
The varieties that define this region's wines.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is Burgundy's great gift to the wine world — light in colour yet profound in flavour, haunting in i…
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is the world's most planted white grape and a remarkable blank canvas for terroir and winemaking. F…
Riesling
Riesling is one of the world's greatest white grapes — aromatic, intensely acidic, and profoundly age-worthy. …
Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris in French) produces two very different styles. Italian Pinot Grigio is light-bodied, …
Nearby
Related regions
Explore neighbouring wine areas.
Wine travel
Visiting Canterbury
The Waipara Valley's cellar doors sit beside vineyards framed by Southern Alps views, an easy drive from Christchurch.
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