[4] The region's first large vineyards were planted in 2001 as part of a commercial venture by South Island entrepreneur Howard Paterson before his sudden death in 2003.

[7] By 2024 the remaining producers were growing on about 50 hectares (120 acres) of vineyard area and have been gaining a reputation for the quality and individuality of the region's wines.

The climate is a combination of the cool, maritime influence from the Pacific Ocean and the warm, dry summer and autumn weather in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps.

[8] In a good year, the warm summer and long dry autumn in the Waitaki Valley can produce one of the longest growing seasons in New Zealand.

[3]: 19 The region' small vineyard area of 50 hectares (120 acres) produces less that 1 percent of New Zealand's wine, crushing 254 tonnes (560,000 lb) of grapes in 2024.[2].