The wines of Pyramid Valley are born in the dramatic soils and slopes of the Waikari vineyard in North Canterbury. Waikari is a unique site where rich, rocky, limestone and clay derived soils sit on high-altitude north and east facing slopes.
The story of our Waikari farm begins over 60 million years ago, when the land that would become North Canterbury was part of the ancient supercontinent Zealandia. The soils of Waikari were shaped by tectonic forces, pushing up what was once an ancient seabed. This movement created the dramatic scarp slope, where clay meets limestone – a soil composition that Mike Weersing spent years searching for.
The pre-human landscape of Waikari was likely covered in lowland shrubs and grasses, with a significant population of moa roaming the area. In fact, the Waikari Valley is famous for its well-preserved moa fossils, a reminder of the deep history that runs through this land.
The journey to find Waikari was no simple task. It involved meticulously pouring over soil maps, consulting with scientists, and countless hours of travel to potential vineyard sites. Soil samples were taken from every promising location, all in pursuit of a place where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay could truly thrive in the New World. When samples were sent from Waikari to renowned soil scientist Claude Bourguignon in France, his immediate response was to ask which part of Burgundy these samples had come from. Mike knew then he had found the site.
Before it was earmarked for vines, the Waikari estate was a dryland farm for sheep and cattle. Water on the property was limited to natural springs that provided just enough for stock, but not enough for widespread irrigation. To support the vineyard, the Weersings built a dam to collect water for both frost protection and irrigating young vines. They also led an ambitious ecological project, planting over 20,000 native plants from locally sourced eco-seed to restore the land to its pre-human state, creating a vibrant natural habitat around the vineyard's springs.
In the foothills of the Southern Alps and just 25kms from the Pacific Ocean, the climate of Waikari is as marginal as it is magical – deliberately so. The vineyard's challenging growing conditions, free from an excess of moisture, sunlight, or heat, allow for a pure expression of place. In this tiny locality, the very rare, complex, limestone clay soils, an on-the-edge meso-climate, and immaculate high density viticulture situated in a natural amphitheatre to take advantage of the favourable aspect, and is home to the four special blocks for fine, cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir we know as Angel Flower, Lion's Tooth, Earth Smoke and Field of Fire.
quick facts
Soils: Ancient limestone, clay and marl soils
Elevation: 300–350 metres
Direction: North and east-facing slopes
Planting density: 8,000 – 11,111 vines/ha
Total ha: 7.0ha
Total vines: 61,000
Farming: Organic and regenerative farming
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Our Place
From the limestone and clay soils of Waikari to the wider landscapes that shape our wines, discover the places we call home.
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Winegrowing & Vinification
From the soil beneath our vines to the wine in your glass, see how our philosophy shapes every Pyramid Valley wine.
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Sustainability
Caring for the land is at the heart of what we do. See how we work with nature to protect our vineyards for generations to come.
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