Waipara, North Canterbury

Long, dry autumns with warm days and cool nights enable Waipara's grapes to ripen very, very slowly. The result is fragrant, rich pinot gris; scented, racy riesling; and rich, intensely-flavoured pinot noir. A key aspect of Waipara's grape-growing environment is the nor' west wind, which dries out the soil and devigorates the vines, aiding full ripeness and intensity.

"Canterbury is coming to be symbolised not just by its rugby colours, which are red and black, but by its wines, which are red and white." AK Grant, humorist.