Gravel & Loam

The Onamalutu Gravels, vineyard and breathtaking scenery inspired Gravel & Loam to market a range of wines that truly reflect the feel of the country. This amazing environment is rich in flora and fauna, while the gravel and loamy soils are perfect for producing luscious and elegant wines. The ideal climatic conditions give the grapes plenty of time to ripen and develop their aromatic power. The large difference in temperature between day and night provides extra freshness and complexity.

The grapes are harvested at the Croft Vineyard in Burham and Fraher Vineyard in Waipara. Most of the pinot noir grapes come from Canterbury, New Zealand's fourth largest wine region. Canterbury consists of two major sub-zones: the flat lands near Christchurch, with a loose alluvial soil of loam on a substratum of gravel and boulders, and the more recently developed Waipara valley, where the loam soil contains more calcareous grit and stones. Summers are long and dry, with a high number of hours of sunshine, while the climate is relatively cool. In Waipara it can sometimes get a bit warmer than on the flat lands.