Situated just fifteen minutes inland from Waikari and the Weka Pass and within a working 480 hectare sheep and cattle farm. “Hanley” has been owned by the Hassall family since 1950. Tom and Elaine Hassall purchased a block of 160 hectares adjacent to their existing land in 1970. This block was made up of varying soil qualities, fertile and rich in places, stony and dry in others. “The River Farm” was one of several small blocks along the river boundary that had been surveyed for the proposed railway line to the West Coast over Harpers Pass via Lake Sumner. The project was rejected in favour of the current route via Arthurs Pass. “The River Farm” had all the ingredients to become home to the vineyard. The vines now nestle on the southern terraces of the braided Hurunui River looked upon by Mount Tekoa and rugged high country landscapes, protected by the mighty Southern Alps and close by the pristine waters of the inland lakes, Sumner, Sheppard, Taylor, Mason and Loch Katrine. The stage is set like a giant, natural amphiteatre...
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