The Waipara Valley is geographically unique. The South Island faces the north east. Most valleys run east west from the mountains to the sea, whereas Waipara faces north-east, parallel to the Pacific Ocean.
Four rivers converge in the valley and merge with the Waipara River, which winds and carve its way through limestone hills to the Ocean.
Waipara is protected from the Pacific Ocean's easterly breezes by the coastal eastern Teviotdale ranges. In summer, warm nor'west winds blow down from the Southern Alps. As a consequence of these factors, a warm bubble of air forms over the Waipara valley floor and this combined with mountain breezes allows for hot dry summer and autumn days, and cool nights. This provides a long ripening period which results in high sugar and low acid fruits producing fruitful, aromatic balanced and stable wines.