Photos from North Canterbury

After traveling Central Otago we flew to North Canterbury where we toured and tasted for two days through the Waipara and Waikari Valleys with an adventurous train ride through the Weka Valley, before then spending the evening in the Banks Peninsula. The excursion included a night in Christchurch too that was amazing as you can see below.

Following is the collection of photos I shared to Instagram from our time in North Canterbury including our travels from the area. There are multiple videos included along the way. Be sure to watch them too. Wine professionals being ridiculous. Too funny.

Dream team. Night out in Christchurch drinking Canterbury wines and local foods at the utterly charming Shop Eight. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @ginandbutter @yrmom_safoodie @drjamiegoode @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 23, 2017 at 11:15pm PST

Wine professionals let loose in Christchurch. @drjamiegoode + @ginandbutter riding the ropes while @yrmom_safoodie risks his life between them both. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @drjamiegoode @ginandbutter @yrmom_safoodie @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 12:24am PST

Wine professionals in the wild in Christchurch. Earthquake damage scars the entire downtown business center of Christchurch. In the lots where buildings collapsed or were so damaged they had to be cleared the city has put art installations to create more approachable open spaces. Here we are dancing in this amazing example, an outdoor public dance floor where for $2 you can plug in your iPod and play anything you want over an outdoor speaker system for 30 minutes. Not the best dancers but the best dance partners anyway. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @drjamiegoode @ginandbutter @yrmom_safoodie @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 12:41am PST

Perfect introduction to Canterbury with a free night around Christchurch spent alongside some of my favorite people, @drjamiegoode @yrmom_safoodie @ginandbutter #nzwine @nzwinegrowers #Repost @ginandbutter ・・・ The perfect way to start our Christchurch exploration, with the bright and lively pet-nat from Cambridge road. #nzwine @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 2:36am PST

The best night. #nzwine #Repost @drjamiegoode ・・・ Playground antics @hawk_wakawaka @ginandbutter @yrmom_safoodie @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 10:18am PST

❤️#nzwine #repost @drjamiegoode ・・・ Sunset reflected in the slide. Epic playground fun with @yrmom_safoodie @ginandbutter @hawk_wakawaka in Christchurch @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 10:20am PST

Stand out Chardonnays in a Canterbury regional tasting. The Pyramid’s Valley Lion’s Tooth was surprisingly light, almost ethereal while the Field of Fire was built for power. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @pyramidvalleyvineyards @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 11:13am PST

United Nations research trip with diplomatic representatives from Sweden, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, Venezuela, and the United States (Florida, Texas and California) seeking the ideal Canterbury Steak Pie for the sake of world peace. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @ginandbutter @yrmom_safoodie @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 12:40pm PST

First steps towards achieving world peace (you gotta eat): (1) steak pie; (2) mince pie (for your grandma); (3) various pies for people that lie to themselves with the idea that there is reason to eat anything other than steak pie or mince pie (for your grandma. Always honor your grandma). #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @ginandbutter @yrmom_safoodie @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 12:44pm PST

Mountains of limestone in Waipara. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 1:46pm PST

More idyllic New Zealand countryside here the Three Peaks in Waipara of North Canterbury. The folds, cut and lift of the fault lines are visible throughout this region where the plates are pushing against each other causing mountain uplifts surrounded by canyons. Sizesble earthquakes happen here regularly with the last serious one being Mid 2016 and before that Early 2011. Both caused significant damage through the area and multi-billion dollar demolish and rebuilding projects in Christchurch. Stone masons and builders came from all over the world to repair the city. Today it holds the safest buildings in the world, built to withstand earthquakes over 8 and even up to 9 on the Richter scale. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 2:27pm PST

Solid expression of North Canterbury Riesling, the Greystone Sea Star 2016 offers a phenolic edge with lightly tactile mouthfeel, just a hint of reductive pleasure and mouthwatering acidity. #nzwinegrowers @nzwinegrowers @greystone @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 2:44pm PST

United Nations diplomatic missions continue. Representatives from Sweden, England and the United States (California) preparing to ride the steam train through Weka Valley of Waipara in North Canterbury in search of limestone. #nzwinegrowers @nzwinegrowers @lauren_eads Madeleine Stenwreth MW @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 3:08pm PST

And then I swear to god we all climbed out of the train and then all together wine professionals from Sweden, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, the United States and New Zealand along with the steam train conductors cleared a massive pine tree that had fallen across the train tracks in the wind storm this morning and then we got back in to ride the train. Here the last of the tree being cleared. It was about four times what is shown here. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 3:31pm PST

Emmanuel Bourguignon travels along with his parents Claude and Lydia Bourguignon as a soil and viticultural consultant to vineyards all over the world. Here he describes the rarity of the preponderance of limestone found here in North Canterbury compared to other wine regions of the world. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 5:37pm PST

Looking over the pond at Pyramid Valley to their Lion’s Tooth Chardonnay vineyard. The site sets in a natural steep amphitheater that protects the vines from the cold easterly wind and allows for earlier ripening, desirable in the area. The soils here are a blend of limestone and clay. They have done thorough soil sample studies to ensure they are planting in appropriately mineral rich soils to avoid issues like chlorisis, which can occur in overly lime soils because of mineral deficiencies. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @pyramidvalleyvineyards @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 5:42pm PST

Stand out red in Canterbury – the Bell Hill 2013 Pinot noir comes in full force then turns almost wispy through a lingering finish. Intriguing and memorable. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 6:50pm PST

Good people are everything. ❤️ @yrmom_safoodie @somm_arthurhon #repost @somm_arthurhon ・・・ @pinotnoirnz #ncwinedown #Chardonny @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 24, 2017 at 9:33pm PST

Love and joy in New Zealand. Hitting the trampoline in Banks Peninsula, Canterbury. (We really are also working hard tasting wine.) #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @ginandbutter @somm_arthurhon

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 1:21am PST

As simultaneously awesome and scary as it always was, the mighty trampoline. @yrmom_safoodie equals best trampoline partner ever. #repost @somm_arthurhon ・・・ Pre dinner workout. #trampoline #kokolovineyard #bankspeninsula #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 2:39am PST

Delicious sparkling Chardonnay from Alan McCorkindale in Canterbury. Both the 2008 and 2009 showed well with the 2009 a bit leaner, fresher and crisper to the 2008s comparatively fleshier weight on the palate and tertiary flavors. Both carry an earthiness with a bit of biscuit alongside their orchard fruit character. The 2009 was more biscuit focused right now while the 2008 had hints of dried pears. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 11:23am PST

Here see a crossroads in the middle of sheep and deer farms and otherwise open lands for tens of kilometers in every direction in the remote parts of Waipara Valley, no house visible any where as far as the eye can see nor even driving in to this point, the sheep raised for meat in the background, and the local book exchange on the corner. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 12:13pm PST

Light bodied and mouthwatering with fresh herbal notes and a juicy dark fruit palate. This is light touch winemaking with a focus on freshness. Black Estate 2015 Cabernet Franc from North Canterbury. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa @blackestate

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 3:07pm PST

Continuing the New Zealander cultural deep dive, Behold! The Hokey Pokey! It also comes in ice cream form. (I can’t actually eat ice cream or milk chocolate so @californiaray99 I’ve gotten a Hokey Pokey each for you and Pabz and I’ll be relying on your good assessment of its virtues.) #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 3:56pm PST

For those you earnestly curious to know the quality of Doritos abroad I have done the research. New Zealand Doritos taste largely the same as US American Doritos but with a milder degree of cheese flavor and a slightly more apparent flavor of corn chip. (For you New Zealanders dying to know the US American version has no apparent flavor of corn chip whatsoever.) That is all. #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 4:00pm PST

Here in the Wellington airport flies the actual giant eagles used in some incomprehensible way in the filming of the Lord of the Rings. This photo was taken looking straight up a mere couple of meters without zoom directly into the claws of one of the two eagles here in the airport lobby. Gandalf rides atop one of the two and though his figure is lifesize he looks miniature atop the great eagle. (Thank you, O giant bird, for saving middle earth. Take flight again. We need you now.) #nzwine @nzwinegrowers @nzwineusa

A post shared by Hawk Wakawaka (@hawk_wakawaka) on Jan 25, 2017 at 5:50pm PST