A truly boutique wine business, the vineyard is located 30km inland from Timaru in South Canterbury New Zealand. The Opihi label has gained awards at many major wine shows, and has also been recommended by Wine State and Cusine magazines.

The vineyard was established in 1991 on warm north facing slopes located in the Opihi district area, 30 km inland from Timaru.

The altitude is 150 m above sea level and the average annual rainfall is 600mm. The soil type is Timaru silt loam to a depth of 20 cm on top of a heavy clay base. At latitude 44° South, this is a cool climate area with autumn weather being typically lovely warm days and cool nights.

The first block, 3.5 hectares, was planted out in Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir (10/5), Chardonnay and Muller Thurgau. An area of Merlot was also trialled has since being replaced with Riesling.

The vines are planted 1.5m apart in rows spaced at 3m. They are cane pruned by hand. Trickle irrigation was installed when the vineyard was setup but because the subsoil is clay the need for water is reduced.

In 2001/02 a further two hectares at the Vineyard Café were developed. The top soil in this particular site overlies a base of limestone so Pinot Noir was planted. The clones planted are 13, 114, 115, 667, and 777.

Shoot thinning, leaf plucking and bunch thinning are all carried out to control yields which are purposely kept low so that the fruit can ripen as fully as possible. Selective hand picking during April and May guarantees that only the best grapes are harvested and ensures that the fruit remains in excellent condition during transport to the Sandihurst Winery at West Melton, Christchurch.

From 2002 the white wines have been sealed with screw caps to further ensure that the premium quality remains. Pinot Noir will retain corks.