Waipara, a recognised viticultural region, is situated some forty - five miles north of Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. Vines were first planted in the district in 1981 although commercial winemaking really only started in 1990. Waipara has many natural advantages for grape production - long dry summers, sheltered from cold easterly winds by a range of coastal hills but exposed to the hot nor-west winds which help to control disease, and a remarkable range of soils, including shingle, river stones and pockets of clay loams over limestone.

The planted area has expanded greatly in recent years with considerable corporate investment.

Wines from Waipara have already achieved some notable export success, especially in the UK through Waterloo Wine Co.