Waipara

Located just 60 kilometres north of the city of Christchurch, the small valley town of Waipara boasts of having the most flavourful and well-made wines in this part of the country. With vineyards that stretch into the distance, surrounded by gentle hills, Waipara is great for a weekend trip, away from the hustle and bustle of Christchurch.

The weather is more or less perfect throughout the year for winemaking, with plenty of sunshine and a long autumn. Regional specialties include Pinor Noir and Riesling, but the production of other kinds of wines is also of top quality. 

If you’re a wine enthusiast, your trip to southern New Zealand would be incomplete without a visit to this small town. You can go on wine tasting tours, visit wineries, and even explore vineyards on a cycle! Moreover, the town also has some scrumptious eating options available to go with all the wine. There are also several walking tours that take you around the valley and to the Waipara river. You can relax by the riverside, maybe even have a little midday picnic in the sun!