Waipara Springs Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: Not far from Christchurch, New Zealand and located in the Waipara wine region, Waipara Springs offers visitors estate only produced wines. A delightful outdoor area adds to the delight of visitors who can enjoy items from the onsite café with a glass of wine. By the New Zealand standards, Waipara Springs is a boutique winery however they do sell wine internationally.
During the mid 1980’s, Bruce and Jill Moore planted the first grapevines. The Waipara wine region is good for grape growers. The Waipara Valley is isolated and the temperature stays warmer. Today the winery is producing 50,000 cases of wine. Two families, the Moores and the Grants, own the winery.
Inside the cellar door (tasting room) the tasting counter is created of thick slabs of wood that have been sealed together. The wood has a finish to protect it. The wall behind the tasting counter has windows allowing views of the barrel room. In the center of the wall, between the viewing windows, a large oval wood tank protrudes from the barrel room into the cellar door. Adjacent to the cellar door, a deck and a lawn area has tables, chairs and white umbrellas. Visitors can enjoy a delightful meal from the onsite café.
Vineyards
The first four hectares of grapevines were planted in 1982. Today the vineyards are home to several grape varieties including Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. Total vineyards planted are 26 hectares (64 acres.) The soils in the vineyards are a combination of limestone and clay.
Wines
In the winery, equipment is kept modernized. French oak barrels are purchased every year. Waipara Springs wines are sold internationally.
Dry Riesling 2009 was a light yellow. The aroma was floral. The taste offered yellow stone fruit and chalk notes. The finish was fruity yielding to chalk. Riesling 2006, a light yellow, had 30g/l residual sugar. The aroma offered floral and yellow stone fruit notes. There was yellow stone fruit with chalk on the taste. The sweet finish was chalky yielding to citrus that was drying. Premo Chardonnay 2005 offered oak notes on the aroma. The taste offered pear, slate and oak notes. The finish was crisp with citrus yielding to mineral. Premo Pinot Noir 2009 was red and offered raspberry notes on the aroma and taste. The finish was fruity with mild tannins.
Restaurant/Café
The restaurant features products sourced locally. These items include salmon, meat, cheese, asparagus and home baked goods. The summer menu at the Waipara Springs offers numerous items from which to choose. Starters and Platters include breads with dips, mussels, calamari, cheese and antipasto platters. For entrées diners can choose between an artichoke tartlet, pasta, pesto, salad, lamb, a ribeye open sandwich and fish of the day. Who would not want one of these desserts? Pear and almond tart, cheesecake, cake, macadamia nut pie and more are included on the restaurant menu. Enjoy a meal at a table on the deck or lawn.
When planning your visit to Christchurch, New Zealand plan to visit Waipara Springs Winery and Restaurant.
Waipara Springs Winery & Restaurant
409 Omihi RD (State Highway 1), Waipara
North Canterbury, New Zealand
