It is the southernmost wine region of the country and less extensive. The hot season is short, but are dry and sunny autumns, with the rainfall rate is the lowest in all of New Zealand. It is the coldest area of New Zealand and one of the coolest wine regions in the world. In summer the days are very long.
Soils formed from glaciers, shale is the main rock of the area and depending on the area is mixed with alluvial soil degradation from granite, loess, gravel and sandy loam soils. Draining soils are low in organic matter and giving little vigor vines.
It is a growing area and production oriented and expensive excellent Pinot Noir wines.