Ata Rangi

Clive Paton founded Ata Rangi in 1980 after selling his dairy herd to purchase a small, stony paddock in the rural town of Martinborough. The name translates from Te Reo Māori as dawn sky or new beginning. At the time, the area was largely used for sheep farming, but Paton was inspired by a scientific report suggesting the local climate was ideal for Burgundian grape varieties. He was soon joined by his sister Alison Paton and his wife Phyll Pattie, both of whom became integral to the development of the estate. The winery remains a family-owned and operated business today, with the second generation now involved in management and events.

The estate encompasses approximately 32 hectares across several sites on the Martinborough Terrace, a landform characterized by shallow silt loam over deep alluvial gravels. These free-draining soils and the local cool, windy spring weather result in naturally low yields and small, thick-skinned berries. Much of the Pinot Noir is planted with the Abel clone, a specific selection with origins traced back to a smuggled cutting from Burgundy that Paton helped propagate in the early 1980s. The vineyards transitioned to organic viticulture and achieved full certification for the home blocks in 2014. Winemaker Helen Masters oversees the production, employing hand harvesting and minimal intervention techniques. The team manages biodiversity through planting between vine rows and utilizes on site composting to maintain soil health.

Ata Rangi is primarily recognized for its flagship Pinot Noir, produced from the oldest vines on the home block which are now over 40 years old. The winery also produces Crimson, a Pinot Noir sourced from younger vines, as well as several single vineyard expressions and white wines including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc. Célèbre, a red blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, has been a part of the portfolio since the early years of the estate. In 2010, the producer was designated a Grand Cru of New Zealand, a distinction it shares with only one other winery. This status recognizes the producer for its consistent quality and its role in establishing Martinborough as a leading region for Pinot Noir. Helen Masters has received individual acclaim for her work, including being named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year.