Saturday, 07 December 2024 15:25

Haera Ra 2024: Wairarapa

Written by Staff Reporters

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Helen Masters

As Ata Rangi approaches 45 years of growing wine in Wairarapa, Winemaker Helen Masters explores some of the highs and lows of 2024, including "The Vintage" of the past 30 years.

The Good

Wairarapa was blessed with a stunning vintage in 2024, coming in on the back of the heartbreaking 2023. It wasn't high in yield, but that's something we are used to here. With superb weather throughout the growing season, resulting in pristine fruit with extraordinary concentration, balance and energy, 2024 is looking to me to be "The Vintage" of the past 30 years.

The Bad

The rising uncertainty in the local and international markets, fuelled by high inflation and political instability, coupled with disturbing international crises that we have no power to change.

The Awesome

How lucky we are to be free to farm and make wines that express our place, and to be able to share them with friends and like-minded people all over the world. It's not something to be taken for granted.

Published in Regional Updates

More like this

Farmers Warned Over Track Dangers After Wairarapa Floods

The terrible floods that hit the Wairarapa may have subsided, but the danger to farmers still exists, according to local Federated Farmers president Rob Hickson.

Third H5 Bird Flu Case Found in NZ Wild Bird

Testing confirms H5 bird flu in a single northern giant petrel, found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach in the Wairarapa, says Dr Mary van Andel, the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Chief Veterinary Officer.

Sharemilkers Credit DairyBase Tool for Staffing Decisions

Signing up to a benchmarking tool is not about competition, but about improving collectively, says Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo who are 50-50 sharemilkers at a 164-hectare (effective) dairy farm in Eketāhuna in the Lower North Island.

Ata Rangi’s Rosé Brut 2023: A fresh dawn in design

Look at a line-up of Ata Rangi wine bottles and you'll see a bold, cheerful interloper amongst the more traditional font-forward labels: the Rosé Brut 2023.