Displaying items by tag: NORTH CANTERBURY

Matt Barbour of Barbour Vineyards is Chair of the North Canterbury Winegrowers Association and a true champion of the region.

I am writing this story with the 2025 harvest in full swing.

Pyramid Valley had its longest Chardonnay Vintage ever this year, thanks to Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago fruit travelling to the North Canterbury winery.

"Conditions are incredible," and "the quality is going to be exceptional", says Mike Saunders from North Canterbury in mid-March, as harvest kicked off for many.

Matt Barbour of Barbour Vineyards is Chair of the North Canterbury Winegrowers Association.

North Canterbury required vineyard vigilance this season, with 245mm of rain over the three months to 18 April, compared to the long-term average of 143.7mm, according to VineFacts.

In North Canterbury, Greystone Viticulturist Mike Saunders is very happy about harvest prospects, with Pinot Noir his pick for the season, due to good flavour development at lower brix.

A dry lead up to spring slowed early canopy growth in North Canterbury vineyards, while cool and wet weather impacted flowering, says Greystone Viticulturist Mike Saunders, who is “cautiously optimistic” in the lead up to vintage.

Finding excellent crops on Greystone's hillside vineyards was "great, but also gutting", says winemaker Dom Maxwell.

When she was younger, all Penelope Naish wanted was a job in the city.