108 | Ata Rangi VITICULTURE Ata Rangi - vision in the vineyard Richard Loader Martinborough’s Ata Rangi has always practised organic farming principles. Photos: Pete Monk An ardent conservationist throughout his life, Ata Rangi founder Clive Paton has always held a passion for the care and well being of the environment. From its beginnings in 1980, Martinborough’s Ata Rangi has always practised organic farming principles, with all its vineyards becoming organically certified by BioGro, the New Zealand authorising body, in 2014. In 2001, the Paton family purchased a bush block 15 minutes south of Martinborough, where Clive began the task of reforesting farmland that once held native forest. In the following years Clive planted over 75,000 trees, a combination of both native species and ground-durable eucalypts for use as future vineyard and farm posts. Discovery of a stand of untouched rata and the interest in replanting natives led to a connection with Project Crimson, a charitable conservation trust founded in 1990 to support the protection and regeneration of rata and pohutukawa. In 2005, Ata Rangi proposed to the Trust that they name a new Pinot Noir “Crimson”. Ata Rangi would actively promote the Trust’s mission through the wine label and marketing programmes as well as provide a contribution to the Project Crimson Trust from every bottle sold. “We had admired the work of Project Crimson for many years.” Clive says. “The idea for Crimson Pinot Noir evolved from working with the Trust on our own rata plantings and was also inspired by the gorgeous crimson colour of our favourite wine variety.” To this day Ata Rangi remains a strong supporter of Project Crimson Trust and their more recent programme, Trees That Count. “That initiative is building a movement to help New Zealanders plant millions more native trees — trees that count in restoring and enhancing our environment, for biodiversity, for positive impact on climate change.” Since inception in late 2016, the count is over 33 million trees, with community activities involving around 20,000 funders and planters nationwide. In the vineyards and winery, Ata Rangi maintains its strong focus on sustainable viticulture and the making of world class wines. Celebrated for its pinot noir, multi award winning Ata Rangi has been synonymous with Martinborough’s landscape for the last 40 years and Ata Rangi’s success story is very much part of Martinborough’s success story. Forty years ago there were no grapes growing in Martinborough and but for a report by DSIR Scientist Derek Milne the South Wairarapa country village may well have fallen into the annals of a bygone age. Passionate about wine, Derek was fascinated that top quality wines came from certain regions around the world and penned a report that included the potential of Martinbough’s free draining stony soils as one of those great wine growing areas. Sharemilking in the area, a young Clive Paton got to hear about Derek’s enlightening report. With an interest in wine and a strong connection with Wellington city, when Clive became aware of Martinborough’s potential for viticulture, he was confident the city would come to Martinborough, and left dairy farming. “There were four of us who took the challenge up and started planting in June 1980 — Dry River, Martinborough Vineyards, Stan Chifney and myself — the ‘gang of four.” Clive says at the time the locals thought the ‘gang of four’ were mad trying to grow grapes on the stony soils, but there was always hope that it would work. “At that time about 60% of the cuttings were pinot noir with quite a few white wines — Riesling and Gewürztraminer, as recommended in the report. “But we knew pinot would be the one. It was three to four years before we started seeing great wines.” Starting with five hectares, Ata Rangi now encompasses around 30 hectares of owned or managed vineyards, producing a predominance of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and blended red wine called Célèbre. Clive’s blend of vision, can-do attitude and a deep sense of conservation have crafted a lasting legacy for the now thriving township of Martinborough, renowned for its wine. Call us today for your no obligation quote Ph: 06 378 2288 | Mob: 027 442 5022 | Email: office@bwo.co.nz | www.heatpumpswairarapa.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=