Ata Rangi

Ata Rangi—meaning 'dawn sky, new beginning' in Te Reo Māori—is one of New Zealand's most sought-after Pinot Noir producers, based in Martinborough. Since Helen Masters joined in 2003, the estate has earned a reputation for wines that balance ripe fruit with delicate restraint. In 2019, Masters was named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine, recognised for 16 years of consistent, site-focused winemaking.

About Ata Rangi

Clive Paton planted the first vineyard in 1980 on a bare, stony paddock at the edge of Martinborough, making him one of the area's earliest grape growers. The original five hectares rest upon alluvial gravels—deep and freely draining—which trace an ancient riverbed descending from the valley's eastern hills. This terroir—cool nights, free-draining soils, strong diurnal temperature swing—produces Pinot Noir with fine-grained tannins and pronounced aromatics.

Ata Rangi's signature comes from the Abel Pinot Noir Clone. In the 1980s, Clive purchased 3,000 cuttings from Malcolm Abel's west-Auckland vineyard. These vines, purportedly smuggled to New Zealand in a gum boot and said to originate from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, are now Ata Rangi's oldest and form the backbone of the flagship Martinborough Pinot Noir—a regional benchmark that defines the area's finest expression.

Beyond the main vineyard, Ata Rangi produces three single-vineyard expressions in tiny quantities: McCrone, Kotinga, and Masters. Each site tells a distinct story through its soil and clone selection. McCrone, planted in 2001 with mixed clones on a compact clay seam, delivers softer tannins and greater suppleness compared to the structured approach of traditional Martinborough expressions. Kotinga uses Dijon clones on free-draining gravels and is aged in large 2,280-litre foudre to preserve bright, crunchy character. Masters vineyard is owned and farmed separately, offering yet another site-specific perspective on Martinborough terroir. Helen Masters' winemaking philosophy—evident across all releases—is consistency: balancing ripeness with acidity, power with elegance, vintage to vintage.

Ata Rangi Wines in Our Collection

The 2021 and 2022 Martinborough Pinot Noir are the entry point to Ata Rangi's house style. The 2021 scores 94 points across critics (James Suckling: 97, Robert Parker: 95, Cameron Douglas MS: 96), delivering textural depth and seamless balance. The 2022 (94 points; Decanter: 96) shows consistent quality across vintages. For a fresher, fruit-forward expression, the 2024 Crimson Martinborough (93 points) is approachable now.

The 2019 and 2020 McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noirs (both 94 points) are for those wanting to explore site-specificity. McCrone's clay-influenced silkiness contrasts beautifully with the main vineyard's gravelly minerality. The 2020 McCrone earned 97 points from Wine Enthusiast and James Suckling, confirming its breeding.

For white wine drinkers, the 2024 Martinborough Pinot Gris (92 points; James Suckling: 93) is buttery and complex—a natural pairing with Ata Rangi's broader range and a chance to see how the estate interprets cool-climate white fruit.

Food Pairing

Ata Rangi's Pinot Noirs suit roasted duck, venison, and mushroom-based dishes—foods that echo the wines' earthy undertones and fine tannin structure. The textural McCrone works beautifully with soft cheeses and charcuterie. The Pinot Gris complements seafood, risotto, and lighter poultry dishes. These are wines that ask for food, not afterthoughts to a meal.

What makes Ata Rangi's Pinot Noir different from other Martinborough producers?

Ata Rangi uses the rare Abel clone, sourced from Malcolm Abel's vineyard in the 1980s and allegedly descended from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. These oldest vines produce the flagship wine's distinctive textural depth and balance under Helen Masters' consistent winemaking.

Should I buy the single-vineyard McCrone or the standard Martinborough Pinot Noir?

The standard Martinborough is the house benchmark—textural, deep, balanced. McCrone offers silkier expression from clay-influenced soil, in limited quantities. Start with Martinborough; explore McCrone as a variation.

Why is Helen Masters important to Ata Rangi?

Since 2003, Masters has built Ata Rangi's reputation for wines balancing ripeness with delicate restraint. Awarded New Zealand Winemaker of the Year (2019) for 16 years of consistent, site-specific excellence.

Who makes Ata Rangi wines?

Helen Masters has led winemaking at Ata Rangi since 2003. The estate was founded by Clive Paton, who planted the first vineyard in Martinborough, New Zealand in 1980. Masters was named New Zealand Winemaker of the Year in 2019.

What style of wine does Ata Rangi make?

Ata Rangi specializes in Pinot Noir—light, perfumed expressions with fine-grained tannins and pronounced aromatics from cool Martinborough terroir. They also produce Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. The 2021 Martinborough Pinot Noir scored 94 points.

How much does Ata Rangi wine cost?

Ata Rangi wines range between £25.85 and £81.80. Entry-level Martinborough Pinot Noirs start around £59–£63; single-vineyard expressions and reserve releases reach £80+; the approachable Crimson bottling is £28.