Right now, the Waipara Valley's biggest problem is not enough. Not enough wine. Not enough growers

The Waipara Valley is fast becoming recognised as New Zealand's most suitable wine region for a diverse range of varieties including Pinot Noir and Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. There are even plantings of Syrah and Pinotage in the Valley.

The region has shown the fastest growth with new developments appearing regularly and an increase from 2005 to 2006 of 242%. However says Michael Campbell, GM of Waipara Valley Winegrowers, "none of that is enough. We just cannot supply enough wine, especially Pinot Noir, to the off-shore markets. We need more growers." Campbell has been involved in the wine industry since 1982 and with New Zealand wine since 1989. "I have never been in a position where New Zealand had enough wine to satisfy the demand from off-shore markets" Just recently New Zealand Winegrowers announced that export sales had overtaken domestic and with new plantings taking the country's total vineyards to 24,000 hectares, Campbell says it is still nowhere near enough.

There are those who are concerned about food miles and carbon footprints and their impact on New Zealand's exports but New Zealand Winegrowers have made it mandatory for all to be members of sustainable vineyard programmes in order to gain export licensing.

The "Greening Waipara" project means we are well ahead of the rest in terms of our sustainability and gives the Waipara Valley a huge competitive advantage over other regions both in New Zealand and throughout the world." Campbell believes that there has never been a better time to get into the wine industry with growing markets and growing interest in New Zealand's wines from a clean, green environment.

Locally, the Waipara Valley is flavour of the month literally in Christchurch and surrounds with the running of the Waipara Valley Wine Challenge. Organised by Waipara Valley Winegrowers it involves 52 of Canterbury's finest restaurants and 18 of the Waipara Valley's producers. The winning restaurant judged to have developed the best match to the Waipara Valley wines', wins a $20,000 prize package compliments of The Press, the Breeze and Emirates and includes a promotional tour of the United Kingdom for the Christchurch Wine and Food Festival in Dorset and the London Wine Trade Fair.

The whole event is supported by the Waipara Wine Village and Day Spa which is due to commence development shortly and open in 2009. The facility will only help to enhance the region's reputation as New Zealand's finest wine region with its five star Grand Mercure property which will be marketed throughout the world by its operator, Accor Group.