Ata Rangi Lismore Martinborough Pinot Gris 2021

Region: Martinborough, New Zealand

Vintage: 2021

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Pinot Gris

ABV: 14.5%

Notes: Vegetarian; Vegan; Practising Organic

Vibrant aromas of guava and pink grapefruit mingle with pineapple and apple strudel on the nose. The palate is smooth and velvety, with flavours of nutmeg, lemon curd and hints of beeswax. The finish is long and complex, with persistent notes of citrus pith and pastry. A fresh wine that will develop with bottle ageing.

The Pinot Gris grapes come from the Lismore, Walnut Ridge and Hamden vineyards, which achieve their optimum flavour profile towards the end of the growing season. As a result, the team harvests this varietal fairly late to obtain a wine closer to the richer style of Pinot Gris produced in Alsace, rather than the leaner, bone-dry style of Pinot Grigio common in much of northern Italy. The vines were planted in 1996.

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 Zealand’s ‘Grand Cru’ equivalent.