HIDDEN TREASURE IN NEW ZEALAND

North Canterbury’s slogan, “The coolest little wine region in the country,” would seem gimmicky if it didn’t ring so true.

Despite being one of New Zealand’s most accessible wine regions, just a breezy 45-minute drive north from Christchurch on the eastern side the South Island, this small yet mighty beacon of cool-climate viticulture flies under the radar. Its forward-thinking winemakers are focused on community and humble about their vibrant wines.

Although the Sauvignon Blanc avalanche has slid the 150 miles south from Marlborough, it hasn’t buried the region. North Canterbury is unfettered and less defined, painted with varying brush strokes and a colorful palate of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling, along with myriad other cool-climate varieties, including Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Gewürztraminer. The wines are