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| Winegrowing in Canterbury | 
Takamatua Valley Vineyards | Just north of Oamaru is the Waitaki River where Otago ends and Canterbury begins.
Canterbury falls into two main grape growing areas. Christchurch the largest South Island city with its sprawling plains merges inland to the North Canterbury plains and limestone hills, while Waipara with its low ranges and river flats is situated approximately 40 minutes north of Christchurch.
In both districts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most extensively used grape variety accounting for over half of the total bearing vine. Riesling is third in the Christchurch area, while North Canterbury with a warmer climate has Sauvignon Blanc at number three.
Soil composition for Waipara consists of sandy silt/loam and limestone, while the southern area toward Christchurch is light stony silt over river gravel.
Famous for the long, hot summers and the lengthy cool ripening period, this fourth largest wine region is producing impressive wines.
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| Canterbury Wineries |
| Winery of the Month |
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Kaituna Valley |
| About
Kaituna Valley |
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Our home vineyard, The Kaituna Vineyard, is situated in the idyllic, sheltered and warm Kaituna Valley on Banks Peninsula, Canterbury. Kaituna Valley is 30 minutes from Christchurch on the main road to Akaroa. The vineyard is surrounded by large volcanic hills that shelter the grapes from the cool north-east wind which affect the Canterbury Plains. The warm micro-climate enables early harvest of very ripe grapes, similar to other premium regions of Blenheim and Wairarapa. Harvest dates have consistently been from the last week of March to mid April each year. The vineyard is frost-free due to the warm nature of the micro-site and the closeness of Lake Ellesmere. The valley has low rainfall (570 to 670mm) and has high sunshine hours. The vines are unirrigated and planted on a basaltic, high clay content soil on a north-facing slope.
The Kaituna Vineyard is 5 acres and comprises an original block of Pinot Noir vines (29 years old) and new plantings of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (mainly the new Burgundian clones). A new vineyard on the Main Akaroa Highway has already produced gold medal Pinot Gris.
The wines are distributed through Vintage Wines & Spirits, ph 09 52905228.
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| Featured Wineries |
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Giesen Wine Estate Canterbury Ltd
The Giesen Wine Estate was established in 1981, and comprises some 75 acres at Burnham, just south of Christchurch. In Marlborough 360 acres are now in production and a winery has been constructed. |
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Trents Estate Vineyard
Trents Estate Vineyard is located on a historic farm established in 1865 by Edwin Trent to grow chicory. |
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Tresillian Estate
A young 8 ha vineyard close to Christchurch featuring Pinot Noir, Rose' of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling. |
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