Ata Rangi

Ata Rangi (Martinborough, New Zealand)

The grand cru pioneer of New Zealand Pinot Noir—famed globally for producing deeply savory, complex, and structural masterpieces that rival fine Burgundy.

Quick Facts for Consumers

  • Style: Deeply complex, structural, and intellectual. Unlike fruity, simple New World styles, Ata Rangi Pinot Noir is celebrated for its savory depth, boasting complex notes of dark cherry, exotic spice, forest floor, and wild herbs.
  • The Legend of the Abel Clone: The backbone of their historic vines is the famous "Abel" clone (also known as the "Gumboots clone"). Legend holds that a traveler smuggled a cutting directly from Burgundy's iconic Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in his boots, which was eventually confiscated and later acquired by founder Clive Paton.
  • A Maōri Legacy: Founded in 1980 by Clive Paton, the name *Ata Rangi* translates to "Dawn Sky" or "New Beginning" in Maōri, honoring the raw potential of Martinborough's gravelly riverbeds.

The Estate at a Glance

Estate Size ~30 Hectares across the wind-swept, deep-gravel Martinborough terrace.
Farming 100% Certified Organic. Cultivated with a strong emphasis on biodiversity, native re-vegetation, and old, low-yielding dry-farmed rootstocks.
Winemaking Led by winemaker Helen Masters. Utilizes native yeast, partial whole-bunch fermentation (adding an herbal, savory edge), and aging in fine-grained French oak barriques (typically 30-35% new).
Critical Acclaim Granted the prestigious New Zealand **"Grand Cru" Trophée** status by international wine critics. Consistently rated 96-98+ points by *The Wine Advocate*, James Suckling, and Bob Campbell MW.