Ata Rangi - Pinot Noir 2016
Ata Rangi, meaning “dawn sky” or “new beginning” is a small New-Zealand winery located at the southern end of the North Island in the village of Martinborough. It is owned and managed by a family trio – Clive Paton, his wife Phyll and his sister Alison. Clive planted his first vines on a small, stony sheep paddock at the edge of the Martinborough village in 1980 as one of a handful of people who pioneered winegrowing in the area. Their philosophy is organic farming, long term sustainability and a clear focus on leaving the land in better shape than they found it. The valley is protected from rain by mountains on three sides. Harvest days are warm, yet nights are cool year round due to direct exposure to the southern ocean. These factors contribute significantly to the consistency of quality, both by preserving fruit intensity and facilitating a long, slow, steady ripening through the autumn. Ata Rangi attained full organic status in 2014. Biodiversity is enhanced by mixed native shelter-belts and inter-row wildflower planting. The vineyard and winery are also founding members of SWNZ (Sustainable Winegrowing of New Zealand). Clive Paton created the Aorangi Conservation Trust. The ultimate aim of this trust is to one day re-introduce threatened native birds, while protecting the regenerating native forest. Clive has planted over 75,000 trees in the past 15 years, both native species and ground-durable eucalypts for use as future vineyard and farm posts.
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir is made from the oldest parcels of Pinot Noir. In the blend, 40% is made up from the fabled Abel clone. The harvest is manual and 35% whole bunches are used for the vinification. The grapes undergo cold maceration prior to fermentation for 6 days. Ageing lasts 11 months in barrels, 35% of which are new.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir