Ata Rangi
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Ata Rangi, meaning "dawn sky" or "new beginning" is a small New Zealand winery with a big reputation
Ata Rangi, meaning "dawn sky" or "new beginning" is a small New Zealand winery with a big reputation for serious Pinot Noir. Located at the southern end of the North Island, it is owned and managed by a family trio - Clive Paton, his wife Phyll and his sister Alison. Ata Rangi founder Clive Paton was one of four pioneer winegrowers who planted their first few acres of vines on the free-draining terrace gravels at the edge of the Martinborough village in 1980. Then a 30 year old solo Dad with his six year old daughter Ness in tow, he sold his herd of dairy cows to buy the original 5 hectare block and doggedly pursue his dream of making world-class wine. The locals all thought he'd gone mad; beer was the drink of choice and grapes were unheard of in the area. The first vines planted included the now legendary βgum-bootβ clone of pinot allegedly smuggled from Romanee Conti in Burgundy...
30 years later Ata Rangi is acknowledged internationally as a producer of outstanding wines. Robert Parkers US website reports . βWhen I asked winemakers to name New Zealand's greatest producers, one name kept coming up: Ata Rangi, meaning 'new beginning'.". Ata Rangi Pinot Noir is undoubtedly the flagship wine, and in 2010 was honoured with the inaugural Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa or "Grand Cru of New Zealand". Despite this success, Ata Rangi remains a small family winery owned and managed by Clive, his wife Phyll (formerly a winemaker in her own right) and his sister Alison. Talented winemaker Helen Masters heads the production team, crafting wines of exceptional finesse and balance in this tiny region that represents less than 2% of New Zealand's wine volume, and which has the lowest rainfall and windiest climate in the North Island. Combined with the valley's exposure to the cold southern ocean, these climate factors mean yields are kept well in check naturally and that humidity and disease risk are extremely low. With a dedicated team now in place, Clive has more time to focus on his passion for trees and a number of significant conservation projects, including restoration of New Zealand's stunning red-flowering native Rata trees to the wider region.
Today on Sofa Sessions, our pal Davey at the Ortega Fish Shack & Bar in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington invites one of our favourite musicians to join him on the couch for a pinot (if only he could make it), and he shares some extremely sound construction tips on how to build a solid foundation for the w**e curious out there to ensure you have Ata Rangi flowing forever π₯° π·π
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Thanks Davey! Johnny Cash would be delighted to spend some time π£
And thanks to Rick β₯οΈ
08/10/2026
The Ata Rangi Kahu Botrytis Riesling 2026 ~ golden hues, concentrated and delicious, the nose is intensely aromatic, with poached quince, ripe pear and lemon curd, followed by bright notes of peach and dried apricot that carry through to the palate. Delicate hints of winter daphne and orange blossom add a lifted floral perfume.
Available direct from Ata Rangi only.
Shop at atarangi.co.nz
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photograph
06/10/2026
Spring has set at Ata Rangi.
The vines are bursting back to life, the leaves have returned to the trees and we're starting to plan the social calendar for the lovely long days ahead.
atarangi.co.nz
01/10/2026
Two reasons to visit Ata Rangi Cellar Door this Spring:
πΏAta Rangi Italian Block Syrah 2024 π€
95 Points β Mike Bennie, Halliday W**e Companion
π―Ata Rangi Kahu Botrytis Riesling 2026 π
96 Points β James Suckling
Both these w**es were made from small parcels resulting in a very limited production. We're delighted to be sharing Syrah from the Italian Block for the first time, and as nature designed it, the 2026 vintage allowed a welcome return to making one of our favourites β a botrytis Riesling.
Available from Ata Rangi only, we invite you to visit our Cellar Door and taste the w**es with us, or buy online and have them delivered to your door (NZ only)
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atarangi.co.nz
29/09/2026
Two new releases have landed in the W**e Room, and Ness and Julia are ready to pour them for you. Both know these w**es inside out and are a big part of what makes a visit to Ata Rangi feel the way it does β generous, relaxed and full of good conversation. Come in, take a seat and taste the new releases with us. Ness and Julia will happily talk you through the w**es, the vintage and the stories behind them.
See you soon!
atarangi.co.nz | **e
24/09/2026
INAUGURAL RELEASE π· Ata Rangi Italian Block Syrah 2024 π€
In the early 1980s, as the first vines were being planted, Clive was offered some Sangiovese cuttings by Enzo Bettio, who established Delmain Importers in Auckland. Along with some Nebbiolo, Clive planted these vines in the little block beside our Ata Rangi w**e shop.
It was thought that this protected site, together with piles of river stones to collect and retain the heat, would hopefully allow these classic Italian varieties to ripen.
But after about 10 years of persistence, it was not to be.
Syrah was top-grafted onto some of the vines, while others were removed to make way for some new Syrah and Pinot Noir plants. The site, in fact, turned out to be too warm for Pinot Noir, which ripened a good two weeks before our other plots, and eventually the whole block was turned over to Syrah.
This block is very special to Clive and is still affectionately called the Italian Block.
Introducing our very first release of this special w**e.
π·
Only 560 bottles produced. Buy direct from Ata Rangi only.
Cellar Door and online β atarangi.co.nz
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photograph .beattie
The Aotearoa Chardonnay Symposium kicked off in Hawkes Bay today.
Aotearoa Chardonnay is designed to share knowledge and discuss quality, focusing on the unique features that define our whenua (land), climate, and philosophy, and how these elements come together to enable the production of premium Chardonnay.
Helen will share a presentation on phenolics and style, alongside international and local guests. It's a true gathering of like-minded, driven makers and w**e advocates. So, we thought we'd revisit one of our current release Chardonnays β the Ata Rangi PΕtiki Chardonnay 2024.
Best enjoyed with a glass of Chardonnay in hand.
β
atarangi.co.nzchardonnay **e
15/09/2026
Ata Rangi Chenin Blanc 2025
Bright and breezy like a fresh spring day, is the uplifting feeling that the 2025 Chenin Blanc exudes. Aromas of elderflower, waxy lemon and firm nectarine define the nose. The palate is tangy and vibrant with notes of salted rockmelon and cucumber, intermingled with honeyed lemon. That feels about perfect right now.
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Only 19 hectares of Chenin Blanc is currently planted in New Zealand and Martinborough has produced a small amount of great Chenin Blanc for many years. This is our second vintage of this special variety.
Enjoy.
Shop online at atarangi.co.nz
Shop international at w**ecollective.direct
Today on Sofa Sessions, we had a wee laugh β and a wee cry (off camera) with the lovely Leah Kirkland at GILT Brasserie β all because we felt the love for our late Dads during this sesh.
Leah is the Beverage Programme Manager across the Emett Group, which means she's the one who knows what you're drinking before you do, whether you're dining at Oyster Inn, Onslow or GILT. What a gal. She's been a long time supporter of Ata Rangi and we've been a long time supporter of Leah. She's the real deal. She's the Real Leah Kirkland π₯°
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Love your work π€π
Special mention to Chef for checking in with the Boss.
And Ben β₯οΈ
08/09/2026
The newly released Ata Rangi Pinot Gris 2025 offers an immediate plushness of fruit, with aromas of lychee, white peach and apricot. There is a focus on texture, ending with juicy yellow fruits, fresh jasmine and a delicious unctuous finish.
The perfect way to toast to Spring!
πΏ
online now at atarangi.co.nz
at w**ecollective.direct for our overseas customers.
Photograph .beattie
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14 Puruatanga Road, Martinborough
Masterton
5711
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