People are often surprised when I tell them where our wines come from. Most know Marlborough and Central Otago. Fewer can point to North Canterbury on a map, even though some of New Zealand’s most distinctive wines are made here.
Where is North Canterbury?
North Canterbury sits on the east coast of the South Island, north of Christchurch, with the Southern Alps to the west and the Pacific to the east. The Waipara Valley, where Dunnolly began, is the heart of the region’s winemaking and less than an hour’s drive north of the city.
When my parents started our vineyard in 1995, Waipara wasn’t even recognised as its own wine region. Every vineyard was simply counted as Canterbury. A lot has changed since then.
The climate
Three things shape the wines here.
- A long, slow ripening season. North Canterbury has one of the longest growing seasons in the country, so flavour builds gradually instead of being rushed.
- Warm days, cool nights. Strong sunlight during the day builds ripeness. Cool nights hold on to the grapes’ natural acidity, which is where the freshness in the glass comes from.
- Shelter. The Teviotdale Hills sit between the valley and the coast and take the edge off the cool easterly winds.
The soils
Limestone and clay are what give the wines here their texture and depth. You’ll also find free-draining alluvial soils, which stop the vines growing too vigorously. The vine puts its energy into a smaller crop, and the fruit is more concentrated for it.
What grows best
The region has built its reputation on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with aromatic whites like Pinot Gris. At Dunnolly we make Pinot Noir, Reserve Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, a Pinot Noir Rosé and Te Pae, our white blend.
What it means in the glass
Put a long season, cool nights and limestone clay together and you get wines with real concentration and texture, but with a freshness that keeps you reaching for another glass. That combination is what North Canterbury does best.
If you’d like to taste the region, our Pinot Noir and Reserve Chardonnay are the best place to start. Or choose any six with Build Your Own Six.
Cheers,
Nicky
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