Ata Rangi is one of my favourite wineries to visit in the Martinborough region. I would recommend going here early on in your trip around the region to fully appreciate it’s sophisticated-ness(that’s a word right) plus the less wine in you the more likely you will act in line with the atmosphere of the venue. Plus ‘Ata Rangi’ means new beginning so it stands to reason you start here. The staff here have been friendly and knowledgeable each time I have visited here. Although I think we scared one of the staff members once when my sister suggested she burn the beautiful big rug they have to test if it is made of natural fibres or not(See my first point about turning up here when you’re still keeping it classy). You can try the wines here for $ 5, which is refundable on purchase of a bottle of wine. Which after tasting these gems you will do! The Pinot noir is the flagship wine here. It is amazing. After living in South Australia for 5 years it can be a struggle to recognise the subtlety of a more delicate red like the pinot noir. Beyond the famed Pinot Noir, they do an excellent rose, and a great chardonnay. I maintain that chardonnays are back, no longer are they the preferred porch drink of Kath and Kim-esque Aussies who pronounce it ‘Card-on-ay’ and it comes from a box(Chateu de Cardboard). Nope this robust white is bold and excellent drinking. The grounds of Ata Rangi are beautiful, very NZ picturesque of the paddocks variety rather than the orcs and mountain variety. If you need to go to the toilet you will need to venture to the wine-making building. and you will get a good look at the area in this process.
