Limestone Hills used to be a sheep farm, established just over 100 years ago. In 1997 Gareth and Camille Renowden bought the farmhouse and 10ha of land around it, and set about planting truffles, olives and grapes. They have put a lot of work into the garden, converted the shearer's dormitory into a cottage for guests, and installed irrigation and shelter to get their crops and gardens through the often hot and windy North Canterbury summers.

When the trees and vines mature, we will produce Perigord black truffles, high quality olive oil, and pinot noir and syrah wine. The emphasis is on producing small quantities of first class products. In addition, we are experimenting with walnuts, pistachios, two species of truffle, and saffron milk cap mushrooms (below).