I cannot believe we are half way through March already! Summer has been patchy, but thankfully the last few weeks have delivered long warm sunny days, though it still looks as though we will not be picking over Easter, a rare treat in this game. We expect to be straight into it after that, with flavours and sugar levels developing well.
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RECENT REVIEWS and AWARDS - TIPURANGA TEITEI o AOTEAROA
Out of the blue (and coincidentally, on the anniversary of our first plantings thirty years ago) we've been honoured with a uniquely New Zealand "Grand Cru" status for our Ata Rangi Pinot Noir.
Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa translates from Maori as "Great Growth of New Zealand" or "Grand Cru". The inaugural award was presented to us at the glamorous Gala Dinner of the Pinot Noir 2010 international event held recently in Wellington, attended by 700 guests.
The Chairman of Pinot Noir 2010, Alastair Maling MW, explained that the accolade recognises our position as a top echelon producer and the role we have played in the development and success of Pinot Noir in New Zealand over the last 30 years. Our friends Blair and Nigel at Felton Road also received the accolade for their Block 5 Pinot Noir. Vine age, proven and consistent wine quality, unique terroir and winemaking philosophy were all taken into consideration. "You are an inspiration to the rest of the industry" he said.
"Knocked for six" was Clive's reaction. "We're humbled, but very happy of course. It's amazing to look back and consider how far we've come in 30 years. Trading a herd of dairy cows for a small block of bare land....local people thought I'd gone mad."
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This award has come on top of USA Wine Guru Robert Parker’s recent endorsement of Ata Rangi as one of the top five wineries in New Zealand; Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2007 being listed as the top Pinot Noir (19/20) in Decanter UK’s June 09 feature by Matthew Jukes entitled “The Top 50 New World Pinot Noirs.” Perhaps even more of an achievement, Crimson 2008, supposedly our 'entry level' pinot noir, was also ranked among the Top 50 New World Pinots. This was closely followed by news of Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2008 being rated Top NZ Pinot Noir in the Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2010 edited by Nick Stock.
EXPORT MARKETING
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All this positive feedback is a welcome respite from the economic gloom and certainly helps keep spirits up, but doesn’t in itself sell wine!
To that end, Phyll is heading to Canada in April to attend the Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival, with New Zealand and Argentina the two featured countries for 2010. These are 'hot' wine regions for Canadian consumers, and the event is expected to attract a record turnout of trade and consumers. We're honoured to have Ata Rangi Pinot Noir selected not only for the exclusive Opening Plenary session but also for a tutored trade tasting on Terroir of NZ. Phyll will also host a dinner at the exclusive Terminal City restaurant in downtown Vancouver.
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Clive continues his environmental and conservation work with a passion (code for spending as much time at the Ata Rangi Bush Block as he can get away with!). We've just been awarded the FORDE Shield, a Wairarapa region accolade for Farm Forester of the Year. This is not given out every year, but when the group feel there is someone who has given 150% to their work. His trials with ground durable eucalypts for future vineyard posts gained special attention, as did his work with propogating and planting thousands of native trees, in particular Rata, at the Bush Block and in selected sites around the South Wairarapa.
One of the first trees that Clive raised flowered this Christmas, to our collective delight. We were never sure we'd live long enough to enjoy this sight! Apparently it has been a great season for flowering - friends who recently drove through the South Island's Otira Gorge said the hillsides were ablaze of crimson colour.
Clive is on the Board of the Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, he's founded the Waihora Watch to protect the stream running through our and neighbouring properties, and has also kick-started the Aorangi Project which aims to establish an (unfenced) "main land island" for the re-introduction of threatened bird species; all this in between captaining the very competitive, local winemakers cricket team!
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We'd like to acknowledge the consistently strong support of our brand, our wines, and thus our growers, staff and families, especially while conditions remain relatively tough offshore (though we feel things recovering slowly). It's heartening that wine lovers everywhere still seek out authenticity, integrity and quality as well as "New Zealand owned and produced", and are prepared to pay just a little extra for the difference. Thank you. Enjoy the wines!
Cheers,
Clive, Phyll & Ali
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