Ancient eruptions have endowed Canterbury with a spectacular landform 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 we have carried The Crater Rim brand to encompass all the wines we produce from the Canterbury sub-regions of Waipara, Omihi and Banks Peninsula and from Central Otago.
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. SupermarketNews chatted to Haydon and the team about their award-winning top drops.
What characteristics of your wine are influenced by the physical landscape of your winery?
“Our wines are produced from varied sites carefully selected for their particular mix of varietal, topography, soil and microclimate – creating high quality, wines of individual character and drinkability.
Attention to detail is key. Our aim in the vineyard is to ensure that vines are cropped low and managed sustainably, guaranteeing the best quality fruit possible from each vineyard site. These are exceptional wines from exceptional regions.”
What is your philosophy when it comes to producing wine?
“Our philosophy in the winery is based on creating wines of character and quality through a policy of watchful, non-interventionist winemaking. We use 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.”
TASTING NOTES
“From The Ashes Pinot Noir 2019
Fabulously fruited and perfumed, the wine shows Black Doris plum, sweet raspberry, floral and subtle spice aromas on the nose. It's pristine and elegant on the palate, yet flavoursome and richly textured with fine silky tannins, finishing long and supple. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
The Crater Rim Waipara Viognier
It's fabulously fruited and inviting on the nose showing apricot, mandarin, ginger and rich floral aromas, followed by a generously expressed palate that offers terrific fruit intensity and rounded mouthfeel. Fruit forward and immediately appealing. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit”
FAST FACTS:
Founders (first and last name/s): Graham Coles
Current Owner (first and last name/s): Michael Fraher
Winemaker: (first and last name/s) Haydon Good
Location: Waipara, North Canterbury
Wine varietals produced: Riesling, Pinot Noir, Rose, Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Methode Traditionelle
