Ata Rangi Masters Vineyard Pinot Noir

Region: Martinborough, New Zealand

Vintage: 2021

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13%

Notes: Vegetarian; Vegan; CertifiedOrganic

The wine has vibrant nose, brimming with aromas of mulberry, baking spice, star anise and rosewater. On the palate, there are red fruits and plums, with pomegranate, nutmeg and pink peppercorn characters. The clay soils bring depth and texture to the wine, fine tannins are supported by vibrant acidity and the wine has a fresh and elegant finish

The ‘Masters’ vineyard is owned and farmed by Ata Rangi winemaker Helen Masters and her family. This vineyard was established in 2002, 4km south of the Martinborough Terrace. Here, the alluvial gravels are mixed with clay which acts to retain moisture keeping the soils cooler than the more gravel dominant sites around Martinborough village. As the most southerly of the Ata Rangi sites, it is generally harvested around one to two weeks later than the other vineyards.

Visionary grape-growers Don and Carole McCrone own a four hectare Pinot Noir vineyard in Yamhill, Oregon. Ata Rangi owners Clive and Phyll Paton first met them at the International Pinot Celebration in Oregon in 1996. Don and Carole confided that they’d dreamt of replicating the single vineyard concept in the southern hemisphere. With the McCrones quickly becoming firm friends of the Ata Rangi family – and the whole team’s enthusiasm for the project – Don and Carole found and eventually purchased an ideal four hectare block on the stony, free-draining Martinborough Terrace, just across the road from Ata Rangi to the east of the home block. In 2001, Clive chose what he believed to be the most suitable clones for premium Pinot Noir to plant on this site; Ata Rangi Abel clone, naturally, plus Dijon selections (115 and 777) and Clone 5, with optimal trellising and recommended vine spacings for low yields and top quality. A compact seam of clay, 800mm deep, gives this vineyard’s soils a unique water-holding ability and has a cooling effect on the roots.

Ata Rangi, meaning dawn sky, new beginning is owned and managed by a family trio Clive Paton, his wife Phyll and his sister Alison. Clive planted the bare, stony five-hectare home paddock at the edge of Martinborough in 1980 and, in doing so, was one of a handful of people who pioneered grape growing in the area. Joined by winemaker Helen Masters, Ata Rangi is renowned for their Pinot Noir, which is consistently ranked as one of New Zealand’s best and in 2010 was awarded the Tipuranga Teitei O Aotearoa, New Zealands Grand Cru equivalent.

https://atarangi.co.nz