Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most widely planted grape varieties, together making up nearly 60% of the region’s vineyard’s. Riesling is the third most popular variety with Sauvignon Blanc in fourth place.

Canterbury’s fertile soils, warm summers and cold winters produce wines that are renowned for their intense flavours, richness and complex fruit.

In the southern area the soils are mainly alluvial silt loams over gravel subsoils while in Waipara they are chalky loams that are often rich in limestone.

Long, dry summers, abundant sunshine and relatively cool growing conditions are a feature in both areas although Waipara, which is sheltered from the coast by a low range of hills, can be significantly warmer. This microclimate provides ideal growing conditions for full varietal expression for wines renowned of intense flavours, richness, complexity and elegance.