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Pinot Noir Festival Acknowledges New Zealand’s First Growths

Ata Rangi and Felton Road are widely recognised as amongst the finest producers of Pinot Noir in New Zealand, or indeed anywhere in the world. Both were included as visits on my recent tour to New Zealand. I arrived at Ata Rangi on a glorious Sunday afternoon. There was an air of excitement about the place as owner Phyll Pattie ushered us out to our tasting under the boughs of one of the splendid trees that surround the winery.

Sitting on the trestle table was a large framed certificate, and before we could start tasting Phyll explained the significance of the certificate. Two days before both Ata Rangi and Felton Rd had been presented with the certificate, with the title “Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa”. This translates as “Great Growth of New Zealand”, and these are the first two wineries to be awarded the accolade.

The award was presented at the gala dinner celebrating the 2010 New Zealand Pinot Noir Festival. In making the presentation, Alastair Maling, MW, Chairman of Pinot Noir 2010 said; “The Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa award recognises those who have taken time to evolve and develop Pinot Noir. They are widely considered as Premier Producers of Pinot Noir; the top echelon and an inspiration to the rest of the industry. This is a uniquely New Zealand award, combining terroir with winemaking philosophy and consistent quality”.

The award is not made to a specific wine but is rather a reflection of the unique quality of the terroir and production methods of the two domains. As such it holds a similar intent to the Cru systems of Burgundy. This establishes Felton Rd and Ata Rangi as the two first Grand Cru in New Zealand. Phyll and her sister in law Alison Paton were both evidently thrilled by the honour, which had come as a complete surprise. Both felt that the award represented a statement about the overall commitment to quality amongst New Zealand’s winemakers, and that it will provide inspiration to other producers.

Three days later I was with Nigel Greening at Felton Rd, in Central Otago. Nigel was still recovering from the excitement of the gala dinner and adjusting to his new elevated status. He said, “It came as a complete surprise. It is a great honour to be recognised by our peers. It was also great to get the award alongside our great friends from Ata Rangi. I see this as a sign that wine in New Zealand is entering a new phase of its short history, becoming a statement of place, message and consistency – perhaps a more mature measure than point scores, medals or competitions”.

I’m sure that the tastings at both Ata Rangi and Felton Rd were thoroughly memorable for all those present. The two domains produce wines that are distinctly different, but are united by elements of elegance, subtlety, intensity and pure quality. They are unique expressions of the land and people that produce them, and that is what great wine is about