MY heart was all a flutter when I thought I’d found out that an old boyfriend’s family now owned a winery and olive grove.
Who needs to move to the Mediterranean, I thought. Dreams of connections and their benefits were soon dashed, however, when I discovered the Chapmans from Terrace Edge are not related to the Chapmans of Paremata.
Terrace Edge is a new boutique winery in Waipara, N. Canterbury. The Chapman family makes oil from their 2000 olive trees and wine from their Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Syrah grapes.  
They made their first wine from the 2005 vintage. Their winemaking is distinctive for its unusual grape choice (Syrah in Waipara!) and interesting interpretation of the Pinot Gris style.
Terrace Edge Pinot Gris 2008 ($19) split the panel. Too rich for some, others found the wild yeast-fermented, oak-aged wine to their taste. As I said at the time, “it’s a matter of style.  I have it, you don’t.” Try it if you’re into opulent slightly sweet, spicy textured pinot gris that smells like oaked chardonnay.
Usually when wine lovers think of Syrah, they think of Waiheke Island and Hawkes Bay.  Terrace Edge Syrah 2007 ($22) is the first I’ve tried from Waipara. It is a light style compared to those from regions further north, but shows good clean fruit (bright plums and blueberries) yet with a touch of shearing shed memories from childhood, rounded off by silky tannins.
Terrace Edge Pinot Noir 2008 ($22) was given 4 stars and rated “Best Buy” by Cuisine: it’s light and elegant in the mouth with definite minerality, and a nose layered with salty bacon, raspberry and cherry.
Wine of the week:  my favourite from this new winery is Terrace Edge Riesling 2008 ($17). Made in a medium style, it has a candied floral nose with generous citrus notes, sweet citrus flavours, and apple flesh bringing up the rear. A pithy finish balances the sugars nicely.