Ata Rangi, meaning ‘dawn sky, new beginning’ in Te Reo Māori, is widely regarded to be among New Zealand’s finest, and most sought after, Pinot Noir producers. Longtime winemaker Helen Masters, who joined Ata Rangi in 2003, has played a key role in building this reputation, with Rebecca Gibb MW (Vinous) commenting that she “nails it every year whither the season” making wines that “always manage to balance ripeness of fruit with a delicate hand”. In 2019 Helen was awarded New Zealand Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine, in recognition of her 16 years working at the estate.
Ata Rangi is owned and managed by Clive Paton, his partner Phyll and sister Alison. In 1980 Clive planted a bare, stony, home paddock at the edge of Martinborough, becoming one of just a handful of people pioneering grape growing in the area.
Their ’Potiki’ Chardonnay, Māori for ‘last born’, is a blend of newer plantings and more established blocks in the Martinborough Terrace. Fermented in 300-litre puncheons and aged for 11 months on lees, it displays impressive poise and focus, derived from the deep alluvial gravel soils. Outside of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Ata Rangi also dabble in Pinot Gris. Influenced by the wines of Alsace, it is fermented in large barrels, resulting in a wine of lovely weight and texture.
