Wines from Ata Rangi

When Clive Paton sold his dairy herd in 1980 to buy five barren hectares near the small farming town of Martinborough to grow Pinot Noir, it was considered crazy. But this courage paid off: Ata Rangi, which means ‘dawn’ or ‘new beginning’ in the Māori language, is now synonymous with some of New Zealand's most elegant and long-lived Pinot Noirs. The flagship wine Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir was awarded the title ‘Grand Cru of New Zealand (Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa)’ in 2010.

Since these bold beginnings, Ata Rangi now cultivates around 32 hectares on the Martinborough Terrace, a gravelly terrace that forms the heart of the region. In addition to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc also thrive here. Thanks to the natural philosophy, which emphasises biodiversity and sustainable care, the vines bring the character of the region into the bottle with particular intensity.

Ata Rangi is not only passionate about artisanal winemaking, but also about treating nature with respect. The team strengthens the health of the vines and promotes life in the soil through targeted planting and the use of home-made compost mixtures made from grape skins, seaweed and wild plants. 

From pruning in winter to harvesting in autumn - every job here is done with dedication and by hand. The family trio Clive Paton, his wife Phyll Pattie and his sister Alison Paton are still the owners of Ata Rangi today.

“Ata Rangi is the well-established star of Martinborough” – Jancis Robinson MW

“Should need no introduction to lovers of Pinot Noir.”– Decanter