When driving north along highway 1 from Christchurch, Pegasus Bay Winery is the first you come to when you enter the Waipara Valley. It is about 3 kilometres off the highway on Stockgrove Road, and is well sign-posted.

Sauvigon, semillon, riesling, chardonnay, pinor noir and merlot grapes are all grown here. The wines produced are high quality and prices reflect this. The restaurant is established at one end of the winery. It is on two levels and is quite classy. Huge wrought iron lights and decoration items compliment art works from some of New Zealand’s leading artists.

A doorway leads from the restaurant to an upper-level viewing platform, which overlooks the work area and looks into the laboratory. Wine tastings are held on the ground floor of the restaurant. There is a charge of NZ$2 but this is returned if you buy a bottle or have a meal. Main dishes are from NZ$22-28 while white wine is from NZ$18-27 and red is NZ$23. Every dish on the menu is matched with a particular wine but, of course, you are free to make your own choice.

Meals are served in the restaurant, outdoors in a lovely paved area under a canopy of vines, or at tables under umbrellas on the lawn. The whole set-up is superb and under the personal supervision of Edward Donaldson, one of the family that owns the establishment. Mathew, a brother is the winemaker, while mother Christine is business manager. Professor Ivan Donaldson overseas viticulture and wine styles. The personal touch makes this an excellent place to visit.