Vintage Character Ata Rangi Chardonnay 'Pōtiki' 2024 is a dry white wine from Martinborough in Wairarapa, a leading New Zealand appellation whose cool climate and free-draining alluvial gravel soils give Chardonnay both precision and quiet power. The 2024 vintage is regarded as strong in Martinborough, with warm, dry conditions supporting even ripening, healthy fruit and a bright acid line. Drawn largely from younger estate vines, Pōtiki captures the district’s distinctive mix of sunny days, cooling winds and stony soils, which together shape a style that is generous in fruit yet finely etched and mineral.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing The wine opens with white peach, nectarine and lemon zest, followed by grapefruit, jasmine and a gentle flinty note. On the palate it is medium- to full-bodied and dry, layering citrus and stone fruit over subtle hazelnut and lemon-curd richness from barrel fermentation and lees work, while the texture stays taut, polished and energetic through a long, saline finish. This is an especially versatile Chardonnay at the table: try it with roast chicken and tarragon, seared scallops with brown butter, or miso-glazed black cod.
Winery Background Founded in 1980 by Clive Paton, Ata Rangi is one of Martinborough’s formative estates and remains a benchmark producer for transparent, site-led wines. The estate is widely known for its organic viticulture and careful hand-harvesting, with a philosophy centred on expressing the character of Martinborough’s gravel terraces rather than chasing excess weight. Under long-time winemaker Helen Masters, Chardonnay is typically handled with a restrained, minimal-intervention approach that includes barrel fermentation, lees contact and measured oak influence, building complexity without obscuring freshness. Pōtiki, named for the “youngest child” in Māori, offers a vivid, approachable window into the house style.