Opawa means ‘smoky river’ in Maori and historically the Opawa river was fed from both the Wairau and Omaka rivers. In the modern era of stopbanks and flood protection this is no longer the case and the old river bed and flood plain of the Wairau branch is now occupied by vineyards – including our own Opawa vineyard.

Early in the morning, particularly during the harvest period, the mist can be seen flowing down the Wairau river, reminding us of the flow of the old ‘smoky river’ – Opawa.