Waitaki Valley Wine Region

Located on the East Coast of the South Island, between the boundaries of North Otago and Canterbury provinces is New Zealand’s newest wine region, Waitaki Valley.

Grape vineyards in this area were first planted in year 2001.

The wine region, with most wineries within 20km of the Kurow, has mostly small, intensively managed vineyards producing a range of distinctive cool climate wines.

The valleys cool climate, warm summers, usually long dry autumns and its complex geological origins with alluvial greywacke, schist and limestone ensuing in a complexity of fruit flavours. 

With the combination of long slow fruit ripening and the substrata beneath the loess-based soil results in Waitaki Valley wines frequently, retaining a notable lasting finish on the palate in addition to fragrant aromatics.

The Waitaki Valley wine region notable producing varieties are Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, with a small quantity of Arneis.