This month we are heading back to the North Canterbury region in the South Island to visit The Crater Rim, a family-owned boutique winery situated in the rolling hills of Waipara, in North Canterbury.
At The Crater Rim they grow, make and market limited quantities of terroir-specific wines produced from their own two vineyards and contracted sites in the Canterbury sub-regions of Waipara, Omihi and Banks Peninsula and from selected vineyards in Central Otago.
These sites have been carefully selected for their particular mix of varietal, topography, soil and micro-climate – creating high quality, site-specific wines of individual character and drink-ability. The Crater Rim manage their own vineyards and work closely with each grower to ensure that vines are cropped low and managed sustainably, guaranteeing the best quality fruit possible from each vineyard site. The result is exceptional wines from exceptional regions
THE CRATER RIM BRAND
Ancient eruptions have endowed Canterbury with a spectacular land-form called Banks Peninsula. Rising up from the Canterbury Plains, the harbours of Akaroa and Lyttelton townships are the twin craters of an ancient volcano, and the surrounding hills and fertile land are a result of its eruptions. These harbours are among the world’s outstanding examples of eroded and flooded craters.
The first vintage produced by The Crater Rim was from a small hillside vineyard, high above the town of Akaroa on Banks Peninsula – and so the brand ‘The Crater Rim’ was born. Banks Peninsula has a far-reaching effect on the climate of the whole Canterbury province, and so they have carried The Crater Rim brand to encompass all the wines they produce from the Canterbury sub-regions of Waipara, Omihi and Banks Peninsula and from Central Otago.
THE FRAHER FAMILY & VINEYARDS
In 2002, four generations of the Fraher family gathered at their newly purchased Waipara property on State Highway 1 north of Amberley to plant their first vines at what was initially registered as “CYCLEROAD”. Their original plan was to grow quality grapes to supply local wineries.
In 2007 they had a good crop and that was when they formed an alliance with The Crater Rim, buying a minority shareholding and them buying their grapes. They made a major contribution with volume, Crater Rim already having good relationships with a number of smaller vineyards to produce quality wine.
Unfortunately, in 2009, the fire in the original Crater Rim winery, caused by an electrical fault, became a raging inferno with all the alcohol and wine barrels. It started in the centre of the winery and the roof was just gone…metal just vaporised. It was a family business and the fire destroyed a great deal of equipment and the winery building itself.
So the owners chose to sell and the Frahers took over full ownership in 2010 and are now moving on from there. Their entry level label, ‘From the Ashes’ which is very successful for our supermarket customers, was inspired by the fire. The label is dedicated to the North Canterbury Fire service and all who helped The Crater Rim rise from the ashes.
The original winery, some 10kms north of the Fraher vineyard, was rebuilt and extended and further development is ongoing as the business grows.
WINEMAKER & WINE-MAKING PHILOSOPHY
The Crater Rim wines are produced from varied sites carefully selected for their particular mix of varietal, topography, soil and micro-climate – creating high quality, wines of individual character and drink-ability.
Haydon Good is the winemaker and viticulturist for The Crater Rim. After an early career as a Mechanical Project Engineer for a stainless steel fabricator, he went on to study Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University.
Since then, he has traveled the wine world, working vintages in a number of new world and old world regions – including two in Martinborough for Julicher Estate, the Okanagan Valley at the highly acclaimed Quail’s Gate, Grant Burge in the Barossa and at Karl Joseph Loewen in the Mosel. Haydon also worked as the winemaker for Stéphane Montez in the Northern Rhone valley for two years. During this time he practiced traditional wine-making techniques, which have become the basis of his wine-making philosophy.
Haydon’s philosophy in the winery is based on creating ‘wines of character and quality’ through a policy of watchful, non-interventionist wine-making. He uses a combination of new and traditional techniques and technology to allow the fruit to become wine.
Haydon focuses on allowing the vineyard character to shine through to produce complete, balanced and unique wines – this is reflected in The Crater Rim’s aim to produce a range of wines from each of the varieties and sites in our range.
THE CRATER RIM WINE RANGE
The Crater Rim have three tiers in their portfolio with a range of varieties and styles. Wines are available online and at selected liquor stores and supermarkets across New Zealand, and internationally through their Sales & Marketing Team.
FROM THE ASHES
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The “From the Ashes” label is dedicated to all the people who helped The Crater Rim, RISE “From the Ashes” after the devastating winery fire in 2009.
THE CRATER RIM PREMIUM RANGE
Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, a Rose & Pinot Noir from Waipara and a Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir from Otago. The Premium Range showcases The Crater Rim’s core varietals and vineyard sites, crafted to express purity, balance and regional character.
THE CRATER RIM ICON RANGE
Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Late Harvest Riesling, a Waipara Methode Traditionelle NV and Reserve Pinot Noir. The Icon Range represents the pinnacle of The Crater Rim’s wine-making.
The Crater Rim current releases are available here: https://www.thecraterrim.co.nz/online-store.html.
Wine orders are delivered free throughout New Zealand.
FOOD & WINE
Nicola Fraher has published a recipe book, Savour & Sip – Cuisine to Compliment The Crater Rim Wines
The book features 71 recipes that have been designed to complement a selection of 17 of The Crater Rim wines.
From Smokey Monkfish Kebabs with Quinoa & Mango Salad matched with From The Ashes Pinot Gris to Asian Pork Meatballs with Vermicelli & Pickled Vegetables matched with Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir and, to finish off, Baked Banana, Chocolate & Hazelnut Pastries matched with Dr Kohls Late Harvest Riesling.
Click the image to get your copy of Savour & Sip Book. Or make an online wine order and receive a complimentary copy with your first order.
FOOD & WINE MATCH VIDEOS
The Crater Rim have teamed up with Nicola Fraher to show you fantastic food and wine matches. Take a few minutes to see how their wine matches up with some classic kiwi cuisine! Watch all the videos here: https://www.thecraterrim.co.nz/food-and-wine.html
For More Information Visit – https://www.thecraterrim.co.nz
Follow The Crater Rim on social media:
facebook.com/thecraterrimwine
Instagram.com/thecraterrim