Waipara
The area of Glenmark traditionally relied on a high proportion of cash cropping to complement fat-lamb production. The township of Waipara has its origins as a railway town, at the junction of the main trunk line and services heading west.
Waipara led the way in rural irrigation schemes by opening its No. 1 Rural Reticulated Water Supply Scheme in 1986 - the first water harvesting scheme in New Zealand. By the turn of this century the area had become a significant wine production region, accommodating fourteen wineries.
(photo courtesy of Nigel Young)
The Waipara wine region is part of the larger North Canterbury wine region that spans nearly 200km of the South Island’s eastern coastline, with the magnificent Alps to the west and the sweeping Pacific Ocean to the east.
The cool, dry climate with good sunshine and long growing season promote full varietal expression; wines are renowned for their intense flavours, richness and complex fruit.
Exploration of new subregions inland from North Canterbury towards Weka Pass, forecasts increasing depth, further cementing the region’s overall reputation for elegant, expressive Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aromatics in particular, though numerous other varieties are planted with excellent results.
Offering daily wine tours, as well as personal excursions, the Waipara area features various attractions and accommodation options.
The Weka Pass Railway recalls the era of rural train travel with a ride in vintage former NZR passenger carriages through scenic Weka Pass on the 13-kilometre-long railway from Waipara to Waikari, using vintage former steam and diesel locomotives.
Get up close and personnel with all that Waipara and the North Canterbury Wine Region has to offer: North Canterbury Wine Region
