Omihi Hills Winery: A Wine Lovers Paradise in North Canterbury
Located in the Waipara region of North Canterbury, Omihi Hills Winery is a boutique winery in New Zealand's South Island that produces fine quality wines using ecologically sustainable vineyards.
The Waipara region is known for its alpha climate, which is perfect for producing some of the best wines in New Zealand, especially Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay wines.
Vineyards
Omihi Hills Winery has two vineyards, each located in unique environments that are ideally suited for producing premium quality wines. The first vineyard, Omihi Hills, is a 10-acre vineyard planted with Pinot Noir grapes in 1986, making it home to some of the oldest Pinot vines in New Zealand. The younger vineyard, Omihi Crossing, was planted in 2000 and grows Pinot Noir and Riesling grapes. The soils in the vineyards are primarily loess derived from the wind-blown glacial silt from the Canterbury plain, interspersed with lenses of limestone.
Wines
Omihi Hills Winery produces a range of fine quality wines for all to enjoy. They are created from hand-picked grapes grown in an ecologically sustainable vineyard. The winery uses Stelvin screw-caps to seal the bottles to eliminate the possibility of "corked" wine. The unique environment and climate of the vineyards are ideally suited for producing premium quality Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay wine.
Cellar Door Experience
The Cellar Door experience at Omihi Hills Winery is hard to beat in North Canterbury. With stunning vineyard views framed by the Southern Alps and genuine hospitality, the winery offers tastings to visitors that showcase their wines while educating them about the terroir and the community.
Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail
To make a day of it at Omihi Hills Winery, visitors can try the Waipara Valley Vineyard Trail, a 14.5km bike ride that takes you through some of the finest wineries in the area, including Omihi Hills Winery. The trail is an excellent opportunity to sample the delicious wines of North Canterbury and take in the stunning views of the lush vineyards that surround the winery.
When to Go
The best time to visit Omihi Hills Winery is between December and February. During this time, the weather is warm and sunny, and the grapes are in full bloom, making for an excellent tasting experience.
How to Get There
Omihi Hills Winery is located in North Canterbury. Visitors can take State Highway 1, and then turn onto State Highway 7 at Waipara Junction (50 min north of Christchurch) and drive for approximately 8 kilometres. Visitors can also take the Inland Scenic Route, which takes them past the scenic Waipara Gorge, and arrive at the winery by car.