Waipara Valley

**Waipara** is a wine district in North Canterbury, on New Zealand's South Island, tucked into a river valley about an hour north of Christchurch. **Wines & grapes** — Aromatic whites lead the way, especially Riesling and Pinot Gris, alongside Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, while Pinot Noir is the standout red. **Character** — The valley is sheltered from cool coastal winds by a range of hills, giving warm, dry days and long autumns that let fruit ripen slowly. Pockets of limestone in the soil are prized for lending finesse and mineral bite, particularly to the Rieslings and Pinot Noirs, which tend toward bright acidity and clear varietal definition.

Wines

• Bel Canto Dry Riesling — Pegasus Bay
• Chardonnay — Mount Brown Estates
• Chardonnay — Bell Hill
• Maestro — Pegasus Bay
• Merlot Cabernet — Pegasus Bay
• Mon Cheval Riesling — Pearson Estate
• Mount Brown — Mount Brown Estates
• Pinot Noir — Pegasus Bay
• Pinot Noir — Mount Brown Estates
• Pinot Noir — Bell Hill
• Riesling — Mount Brown Estates
• Sauvignon Blanc-Sémillon Waipara — Pegasus Bay