2021 Kotinga Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ata Rangi

• Style: Bright, mineral Pinot Noir
• Taste: Cherry, plum, juniper with supple tannins and crisp acidity
• Food: Roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, charcuterie
• Occasion: Gifting; Cellar Worthy
• Serve: Slightly cool, 13–14°C

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

The 2021 Kotinga opens with rare clarity in Pinot: bright cherry and red currant leap first, then plum stone and a whisper of juniper emerge as the glass settles. On the palate, tannins sit light and supple, held in check by crisp acidity that rewards another sip immediately. Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777 thrive in the free-draining, gravelly soil, delivering pure tension between ripe fruit and mineral snap with no heaviness or jammy extraction.

The Winery — Ata Rangi

Ata Rangi—meaning 'dawn sky, new beginning'—is the family project of Clive Paton, his wife Phyll, and sister Alison. Clive pioneered grape growing in Martinborough when he planted the original five hectares in 1980, transforming a then-unknown region into one of New Zealand's most respected wine destinations. The Kotinga vineyard was transitioned to organics by the team after 2015 and certified in 2018. The 2021 vintage was shaped by early frosts and cool flowering that produced small berries and concentrated flavour; the clean harvest gave the winemaking team the impeccable fruit and ripe seeds needed to build something seamless and balanced despite modest yields.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Serve slightly cooler than expected—the brightness rewards a gentle chill, around 13–14°C—alongside roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, or charcuterie. This is a wine for now, though it will age gracefully. The organic certification means you're drinking a wine farmed with purpose, and the screwcap closure keeps that crunchy character intact through to the end of the bottle. Explore our Martinborough selection to discover the region's distinctive terroir, or dive deeper into our Pinot Noir range to experience the diversity across producers and sites. For more discoveries in this style, browse our Light Red Wine collection.