Opihi Vineyard
Address
Physical:
172 Gould Road,
Opihi,
Pleasant Point
South Canterbury
Postal:
Opihi Vineyard
172 Gould Road,
Opihi
12 R.D.
Pleasant Point 7982
About Opihi Vineyard
The Opihi vineyard was established in 1991 on warm north facing slopes located 30 km inland from Timaru. Opihi, the Maori name for the district, means "place of good growth".
The altitude is 150 m above sea level and the average annual rainfall is 600mm. The soil type is Timaru silt loam to a depth of 20 cm, on top of a heavy clay base. At latitude 45 South, this is a cool climate area, with autumn weather being typically lovely warm days and cool nights.
The first block, 3.5 hectares, was planted out in Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Muller Thurgau. An area of Merlot was also trialled but has since been replaced with Riesling. In 2001/02 a further two hectares were developed. The top soil in this particular site overlies a base of limestone so Pinot Noir was planted. The vines are planted 1.5m apart in rows spaced at 3m. They are cane pruned by hand. Trickle irrigation was installed when the vineyard was setup but because the subsoil is clay the need for water is reduced.
Shoot thinning, leaf plucking and bunch thinning are all carried out to control yields which are purposely kept low so that the fruit can ripen as fully as possible. Selective hand picking during April and May guarantees that only the best grapes are harvested.
The altitude is 150 m above sea level and the average annual rainfall is 600mm. The soil type is Timaru silt loam to a depth of 20 cm, on top of a heavy clay base. At latitude 45 South, this is a cool climate area, with autumn weather being typically lovely warm days and cool nights.
The first block, 3.5 hectares, was planted out in Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Muller Thurgau. An area of Merlot was also trialled but has since been replaced with Riesling. In 2001/02 a further two hectares were developed. The top soil in this particular site overlies a base of limestone so Pinot Noir was planted. The vines are planted 1.5m apart in rows spaced at 3m. They are cane pruned by hand. Trickle irrigation was installed when the vineyard was setup but because the subsoil is clay the need for water is reduced.
Shoot thinning, leaf plucking and bunch thinning are all carried out to control yields which are purposely kept low so that the fruit can ripen as fully as possible. Selective hand picking during April and May guarantees that only the best grapes are harvested.
Additional Information
Opening Hours:
VINEYARD CAFE: Open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 4pm for lunch, wine tasting and cellar door sales. Seasonal September to May. Group bookings are available for evening dining, weddings and private functions by arrangement.
Phone: 03 6148 308
Winery Tours:
Yes
Facilities:
Cellar door and cafe; Vineyard tours by arrangement
Vineyard Hectares:
5
Cases Produced:
1000
Newsletter:
No
Wine Club:
No
Personnel
Owners:
Colin & Brenda Lyon
Manager:
Colin Lyon
Sales:
Brenda Lyon
Marketing:
Brenda Lyon
Wines
Where to Buy
Cellar Door:
Yes
Internet:
More Information
Mail Orders:
Download Order Form
Retailers:
Yes
