Aromatics, such as riesling and pinot gris, thrive in this special wine region and spicy pinot noir also develops a deliciously rich, rounded character. Mud House Waipara Vineyard is ideally placed to take maximum advantage of this feature.
Shelter provided by the coastal hills to the east is an important feature of Waipara’s grape-growing environment, giving harvest dates 10 days to two weeks earlier than on the Canterbury Plains. Hot nor’westers dry out the soil, taking some of the vigour out of the vines which encourages the development of full ripeness and intensity.
Soil types range from gravelly deposits close to the Waipara River, to heavier, limestone-derived clays on the east side of the valley.