Waipara is a rapidly expanding and award-winning New Zealand wine region with Reisling and Pinot Noir the signature varieties.
Tastings and cellar-door sales are available at a number of wineries in the Waipara Valley including The Bone Line, Terrace Edge and Georges Road Wines – some of the best Waipara wineries to visit.
The Bone Line Winery
The Bone Line states a commitment to producing wines which are as unique as the soil in which they are grown. With their vineyards situated along a geological fault line, the wines certainly reflect the distinctive terrain.
The Bone Line makes two different wines made from each variety of grape they grow – two different sauvignon blancs, two different chardonnays, a rose and a red. Their main focus is premium pinot noirs and chardonnays, both of which are highly regarded by wine critics.
The tasting room at the Bone Line winery provides an intimate space to learn about the history of the vineyard and enjoy a curated selection of their wines. The tasting cost $30 per person and being a beautiful day, we opted to sit outside at a long table. Only one other group visited while we were there and clearly being locals who knew what they wanted, they were in and out again so we had the place to ourselves.
Wine tasting at Terrace Edge
Terrace Edge is a boutique winery which gave us a warm, personal wine tasting experience where we learnt about the wine-making process and the vinyard’s sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
Situated on the edge of the valley, the expansive outside lawn area has gorgeous, panoramic views and our host was more than happy to run wines for our tasting all the way out to the furthest table on the lawn.
Terrace Edge has a focus on quality and sustainability in their wines, the standouts for me being their pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling.
Georges Road Wines
The lovely wine dog Pepper, Chief Customer Liaison Officer at Georges Road Wines greets everyone as they arrive.
With the owners serving our tasting themselves, we learnt about their lives and what led them to plant grapes over 20 years ago.
The four-wine tasting at Georges Road Wines was generous, starting with a rose, and there were beanbags and a pétanque set. We made our own platter picking out cheeses, breads, crackers, condiments, and extras such as olives from a range which was then bought out to us with plates and utensils.
The Pinot Noir was rich and expressive, and the chardonnay elegant and refined.
Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park
A surprise among the best Waipara wineries, beside a former limestone quarry on Ram Paddock Road was Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park. With a $16 entry fee, owner Raymond provided excellent insights and hospitality and there were photo albums to peruse with a hot drink.
There is no set path at Iron Ridge Quarry Sculpture Park – you just walk around as you please and we wished we’d taken a picnic to enjoy in the sun among the iron (Raymond’s) and Oamaru stone (other artists) sculptures.
The best Waipara wineries won’t rush you through your tastings – wherever we went our hosts allowed us plenty of time.
If you’re looking for local produce to enjoy with your wines, Waipara also produces excellent olives, hazelnuts and venison.
If you love New Zealand wine you should also check out the best wineries to visit in Martinborough.
