Where it all starts - a beautiful Waipara Valley vineyard.
If you know New Zealand wines you’ll know that Waipara Valley in North Canterbury produces some really good ones. And if you love wines that speak to the landscape they come from then we’re definitely on the same page. In Te Reo Maori Ataahua means a picturesque, beautiful place, and if you’ve ever visited here you’ll know that’s true. It really is glorious.
Sustainable wine-making on ancient glacial soils
We source hand-tended grapes from a Certified Sustainable vineyard on the Waipara Valley’s Weka River Terraces. With around 2400 hours of sunshine and 550ml of rainfall a year it’s the ideal environment for growing grapes with the delicious, complex flavours we’re known for. The long, warm autumn ripens the fruit to perfection, and the steady daily temperature variation gently teases out ripening and the grapes maintain an ideal level of natural acidity.
The vines grow on terraces of ancient glacial gravel and clay known as Glasnevin Soils.* The lower terrace is made of light stone and gravelly soil which perfectly suits Syrah grapes. The smaller, sloping middle terrace is ideal for Pinot Noir. The top terrace of clay loam is home to Riesling, Chardonnay and more Pinot Noir.
*The other extraordinary thing the Weka River Terraces produce is 65 million year old fossils!
The soil and climate
The valley provides an ideal environment for ripening grapes with the Teviotdale Range providing shelter from the damp Easterly breezes, while the prevailing dry wind that North Canterbury is famous for comes from North West.
With almost 2400 hours of sunshine, and around 550ml of annual rainfall a year, the valley is the ideal environment for our vines to thrive. Long, warm autumns help ripen the fruit to perfection, and the autumnal temperature variation helps draw out the ripening throughout the day. This means the grapes maintain a good natural acidity, resulting in the concentrated flavours that make our wines delicious.
The vineyard
The light stone and gravelly soil of the lower terrace is mulched, and compost added regularly to build up the structure of the soil and add nutrients. This is planted with our Syrah and Pinot Noir grapes. The smaller, sloping middle terrace is planted with Pinot Noir and the top terrace of clay loam is planted with grapes that make our Riesling, Chardonnay and more Pinot Noir.
Our soil moisture and plant health is regularly monitored, and drip irrigation used when required. The water for irrigation is sourced from the Weka River Irrigation dam. We also collect rain water throughout winter and use this for irrigation during the drier summer and autumn months.
A Truely Beautiful Location
Vines are hand tended, with much care taken in ensuring the vines are in good health and well balanced. Cropping levels are kept low allowing good concentration of flavour and an even ripening in the fruit while canopies are kept open to reduce risk of disease and to increase sunlight and airflow.
Our promise to New Zealand
Ataahua are certified sustainable and focussed on producing delicious wine that are made in a sustainable way both in the vineyard and winery.
We’re focussed on taking great care of the land and environment for future generations.
Going forward we’re aiming to become Carbon Neutral and plan for planting native plant species in strategic places to encourage regenerative growth of native flora and fauna. We’re aware that ensuring a future for the wine industry in New Zealand relies on it being financially viable and sustainable.
