North Canterbury in 2023

With just under 1,500 ha (3,700 acres) of vines in 2022, North Canterbury accounts for only about 4% of all Aotearoa vineyards. It’s therefore a slightly less important wine region than Central Otago but a little more important than either Nelson, or Wairarapa with its Martinborough and Gladstone components.

The great majority of North Canterbury wineries qualify for the more specific Waipara appellation, which covers the pastoral plain north of Christchurch on the right of the map above (on the wall...