Our Wine
Champion the region’s exceptional wines. The depth, variety, and craftsmanship that make North Canterbury a standout.
Welcome to North Canterbury
You are now entering the east of New Zealand’s South Island, an internationally renowned destination for food, wine and nature. Immerse yourself in an abundant and truly local experience of taste, surrounded by the breathtaking panoramic vistas of North Canterbury.
Located on the east of New Zealand’s South Island and bordering Christchurch city, North Canterbury is an internationally renowned destination for wine and food.
The region is home to 90 + vineyards, most of them independently owned by a close-knit community of local families. With some of the country’s most diversified land formations, from the volcanic Banks Peninsula to the clay and limestone soils of the Waipara and Waikari valleys, the region lends itself to highly varied and interesting soil types. Concentrated and expressive wines are grown here – particularly Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Wine matches
Where every pour finds its perfect plate.
In North Canterbury, wine and food are inseparable, each shaped by the same soils, seasons, and spirit of innovation. The region is blessed with an incredible diversity of produce, from wild venison and grass-fed lamb to freshly caught seafood and artisan cheeses. Alongside this, winemakers craft expressive wines that are deeply connected to the land: vibrant pinot noirs, elegant rieslings, complex chardonnays, and bold syrahs. Together, they create pairings that feel effortless, because they share the same origin.
A glass of crisp riesling is lifted by the freshness of whitebait fritters or blue cod, while the spice of a harissa lamb cutlet sings alongside a silky pinot noir. Rich, slow-cooked venison finds its perfect partner in a bold syrah, while a delicate chardonnay mirrors the buttery richness of crayfish. Even local desserts from lammingtons to custard squares find harmony with sparkling wines or a late-harvest drop. These are not just pairings; they are natural matches, born of the same landscape and brought to life by the same people.
At the North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival, these combinations come together in one place, offering the chance to taste the region’s story on every plate and in every glass. It’s an experience that goes beyond indulgence, it’s a true celebration of people, place, and the perfect harmony of flavour.
Wineries
The region’s winemakers, pouring their passion straight into your glass.
27Seconds, Ataahua Wines, Black Estate, Fancrest Estate, Fernbank Wines, Greystone Wines, House of Ball, Melton Estate, Mischief With Wine, Mon Cheval Wines, Mount Brown Estates, Mt. Beautiful Wines, Pegasus Bay / Main Divide, Pyramid Valley, Silver Wing, Straight 8 Estate, Terrace Edge, The Boneline, The Crater Rim, Tiki Wine & Vineyards, Torlesse Wines, Tussock Hill, Waipara Springs Winery
27seconds
27seconds is a North Canterbury wine label that combines quality wines with purpose. Made from grapes at Terrace Edge and produced with support from winemakers in the region, their range includes fresh Sauvignon Blancs, Rieslings, Pinot Gris, Rosé and Pinot Noir.
Black Estate
Black Estate is a family owned winery in Waipara, North Canterbury, known for its organic and biodynamic approach. Their hillside vineyards produce expressive Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and more, all shaped by the region’s unique soils. With an award-winning restaurant and cellar door, Black Estate delivers a true vineyard-to-table wine experience.
Fernbank Wines
Fernbank Wines is a boutique North Canterbury winery producing single vineyard wines from the Waipara Valley. Known for their expressive Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Fernbank focuses on showcasing the natural strength of the region through careful vineyard selection and minimal intervention. Elegant, precise and distinctly Waipara in style.
Melton Estate
Melton Estate is a boutique winery in the Waipara Valley producing a vibrant range of small batch wines. Their focus is on fresh, fruit driven styles including Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Rosé. Crafted to be approachable and food friendly, Melton Estate wines are made for easy enjoyment.
Mount Brown Estates
Mount Brown Estates produces elegant Waipara Valley wines with a strong focus on Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. With vineyards on the clay soils of North Canterbury, their wines are known for balance, colour and depth of flavour. Mount Brown offers a classic Waipara wine style with a refined finish.
Pyramid Valley
Pyramid Valley is known for producing distinctive, site driven wines from their organically farmed North Canterbury vineyards. With a strong focus on terroir and minimal intervention, their wines are expressive, textural, and truly reflective of the land they come from.
Terrace Edge
Terrace Edge is a boutique North Canterbury winery known for producing elegant, small batch wines from estate grown fruit. With a hands on approach from vineyard to bottle, their wines are expressive, refined, and a true reflection of place.
Tiki Wine & Vineyards
Tiki Wine & Vineyards produces pure, expressive wines from their organically farmed North Canterbury vineyard. With a strong focus on sustainability and minimal intervention, their wines are vibrant, textural, and driven by the land they come from.
Waipara Springs
Waipara Springs Winery produces vibrant, fruit driven wines from the heart of the Waipara Valley. Known for their fresh, approachable style and strong connection to the region, their wines capture the energy and character of North Canterbury.
Greystone Wines
Greystone Wines is a leading organic and biodynamic winery in North Canterbury, known for wines that reflect a strong sense of place. Their clay rich hillside vineyards produce outstanding Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. With a focus on soil health and sustainable farming, Greystone wines are distinctive, expressive and true to Waipara
Mischief With Wine
Mischief With Wine brings a playful, modern approach to winemaking in Waipara, North Canterbury. Their wines focus on fresh, vibrant flavour and easy drinkability across styles like Pinot Gris, Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc. Made to be enjoyed without the rules, Mischief is all about good wine and good times.
Mt. Beautiful Wines
Mt. Beautiful Wines produces premium wines from carefully selected North Canterbury vineyards. Best known for their elegant Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, their wines focus on purity, balance and regional expression. Mt. Beautiful offers a refined take on modern New Zealand winemaking.
Silver Wing
Silver Wing Wines produces elegant, finely crafted wines from North Canterbury vineyards. With a focus on balance, texture, and varietal purity, their wines are known for being refined, approachable, and beautifully expressive.
The Boneline
The Boneline creates small batch wines that showcase the strength and character of North Canterbury fruit. With a focus on balance, structure, and drinkability, their wines are bold, expressive, and made to be shared.
Torlesse Wines
Torlesse Wines produces expressive, cool climate wines from vineyards across Canterbury. With a focus on balance, purity, and varietal character, their wines are vibrant, approachable, and crafted to reflect their unique growing sites.
Fancrest Estate
Fancrest Estate is an organic winery nestled in the limestone hills of Waipara, North Canterbury. Their small batch Pinot Noir and Pinot Rosé are made from estate grown fruit using natural winemaking methods. With a strong focus on sustainability and site expression, Fancrest wines showcase the true character of the region.
House of Ball
House of Ball brings together premium Waipara fruit with a modern, vibrant wine style. Known for their expressive Rosé, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, House of Ball focuses on creating wines that are fresh, approachable and full of personality. A contemporary taste of North Canterbury made for easy enjoyment.
Mon Cheval Wines
Mon Cheval Wines specialises in premium, small scale Pinot Noir crafted from a single vineyard in the Waipara Valley. With meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyard and winery, Mon Cheval focuses on purity, structure and elegance. Their wines are refined, expressive and deeply connected to their site.
Pegasus Bay / Main Divide
Pegasus Bay is one of North Canterbury’s most recognised wineries, producing premium wines from their Waipara Valley vineyards. Known for expressive Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Pegasus Bay wines are rich, refined and built to age.
Their sister label Main Divide delivers vibrant, fruit driven wines that reflect the same quality focus and regional character across a wide range of classic New Zealand styles.
Straight 8 Estate
Straight 8 Estate produces carefully crafted wines from their family owned North Canterbury vineyard. With a focus on quality and attention to detail, their wines are vibrant, well balanced, and designed to be enjoyed with good food and great company.
The Crater Rim
The Crater Rim crafts premium small batch wines that reflect the unique landscapes of Canterbury. With a focus on elegance, balance, and sustainable practices, their wines are expressive, refined, and made to capture a true sense of place.
Tussock Hill
Tussock Hill is known for producing refined, site driven wines from the Port Hills of Canterbury. With a strong focus on Pinot Noir and cool climate varietals, their wines are elegant, expressive, and shaped by their unique hillside vineyards.
Ataahua Wines
Ataahua Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery based in the picturesque Waipara Valley in North Canterbury. Their hand tended vineyards grow on ancient glacial soils known as Glasnevin soils, producing wines that reflect the valley’s character.
“Great to have lots hay bales for seating and the bus service was excellent this year.”
- Jane, 2025 Attendee