Ataahua Wines is a small-batch wine producer, led by Stephanie Henderson-Grant. Stephanie and her family have been involved in growing grapes and making wine in the Waipara Valley for thirty years and established the Ataahua brand in 2008. Ataahua has always been a boutique wine producer and it will stay this way.
Alongside their love of winemaking they love the land, and believe deeply in the principles of Kaitiakitanga – guardianship, protection and preservation. They want to make sure the Waipara Valley is in great shape for future generations to enjoy. Lets find out more about Ataahua Wines, the people, the place and their wines.
THE PEOPLE & PHILOSOPHY
Andy Grant and Stephanie Henderson-Grant are co-owners of the business, sharing the day to day running and management of the property.
“The entire ethos behind Ataahua Wines is to offer you something that is far from pretentious, but represents the passion and effort we put into the craft of producing fine wine.”
The winter of 2024 was a year of change for Ataahua Wines. The vineyard and winery were sold however the beautiful wines will continue to flow. The fruit for future vintages of Ataahua Wine will be sourced from vineyards in the the Waipara Valley.
From soil, to grape, to bottle, their wines are humbly created right there in Waitaha – part of the responsibility they have for the land now includes a programme of planting natives in our surrounding environment, in an effort to improve the habitat for native species.
They are focused on taking great care of the land and environment for future generations. Going forward they’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.
THE PLACE
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.
They source hand-tended grapes from a Certified Sustainable vineyard on the Waipara Valley’s Weka River Terraces. With around 2,400 hours of sunshine and 550ml of rainfall a year it’s the ideal environment for growing grapes with the delicious, complex flavours they’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 Soil, Climate & Vineyard
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 2,400 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 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.
The 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. They also collect rain water throughout winter and use this for irrigation during the drier summer and autumn months.
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.
Sustainability
Ataahua are certified sustainable and focused on producing delicious wine that are made in a sustainable way both in the vineyard and winery. They’re focussed on taking great care of the land and environment for future generations.
Going forward they’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. They are aware that ensuring a future for the wine industry in New Zealand relies on it being financially viable and sustainable.
Read more here: https://www.ataahuawine.co.nz/vineyard/
THE WINES
Ataahua Wines have one label under which they produce a range of whites, reds and a rosé. White wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, while reds are Pinot Noir, Syrah and sometimes a Merlot. Wines can be purchase individually or in single variety or mixed six-packs too. Here are a few tasting notes on some of the wines to whet your whistles!
Sauvignon Blanc – Fresh typical varietal aromas of ripe gooseberry, with hints of lemon zest and a fresh lift. These flavours continue into the palate, forming a delicious wine with a pleasingly dry finish, and a perfect balance of ripe fruit and tangy acidity.
Chardonnay – A delicious medium bodied wine showing flavours reminiscent of ripe citrus and fresh stone-fruit with a lingering finish. 10 months on lees, stirred in the barrel once a month, resulting in greater texture and creamy mouth feel.
Riesling – A full flavoured Riesling with fresh aromas of citrus, and crisp apple along with hints of ginger and spice. These flavours continue into the palate, forming a juicy wine with a perfect balance between sweetness and tangy acidity.
Gewuztraminer – This has produced a richly perfumed and weighty wine, bursting with the distinctive aromas of lychee, sweet perfume and subtle spices. The palate is slightly oily in texture with a concentrated gingery spiced flavour.
Rosé – Pinot Noir based rose with fresh aromas of ripe wild cherries with hints of honeysuckle and vanilla. These flavours continue into the palate forming an off dry wine with a pleasant balance between sweetness and fruity acidity.
Pinot Noir – This Pinot Noir has a bouquet of sweet berry fruit, and cherries. With notes of earthy forest floor and mushrooms, the palate is elegantly well balanced with fine tannins and boasts a lingering finish.
Syrah – The bouquet shows plum, wild cherry, dark cocoa, and floral characters with nuances of tamarillo and savoury spice. The palate delivers full fruit concentration and richness, supported by silky texture and fine grained tannins.
New Release Ataahua Wines Reviewed by JB
Ataahua Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2024, Waipara NZ
Bright clear pale straw in colour with green & gold hues. The nose is fragrant with gooseberry, citrus, tropical fruit & green herb aromas. On the palate there’s juicy passion-fruit, tart gooseberry & zingy lime fruit flavours. Nicely textured with a zesty lemon-citrus acidity & a light, grippy minerality, ending in a long concentrated & succulent finish. Excellent.
Ataahua Wines Chardonnay 2023, Waipara NZ
Bright & glossy pale yellow-gold in colour, medium viscosity. There’s a hint of smoke / flint in the nose, then fresh stone-fruit & lemon citrus aromas, some subtle barrel spice. Nicely textured & creamy on the palate, flavours of ripe peach, nectarine & lemon. A grape-fruity acidity is softened with malo & nutty oak influence. Long full flavoured very moreish finish. Excellent.
Ataahua Wines Pinot Noir Rosé 2025, Waipara NZ
Pretty salmon pink in colour, with pale copper hues, a light viscosity. An enticing floral nose with aromas of strawberry, cherry and a hint of spice. The medium weighted palate has a crisp acidity, a slight crunchy textural element, fruit flavours reflecting the nose, red berries, cherries & a hint of toffee add interest & complexity. Medium, off-dry finish. Super Summer Sip!
Ataahua Wines Pinot Noir 2023, Waipara NZ
Deep raspberry to ruby-red in colour to the rim, medium bodied. A very fruit driven nose with ripe cherry & red berry aromas, a hint of savoury earth / herb & subtle barrel spice too. Rich & full on the palate, dark cherry, berry & plum fruit flavours, a bright acidity, soft silky tannins & nutty oak all nicely integrated / balanced. Long dry, satin textured finish too. Excellent & punching above its weight!
Ataahua Wines Syrah 2023, Waipara NZ
Opaque, deep ruby in colour, with purple hues, lighter at the rim. In the nose, fragrant aromas of dark stone-fruit, sweet cherry, red plum, & savoury, nutty spice. On the palate, it’s a lighter & softer style, juicy dark cherry & plum flavours, a hint of savoury green herb, a refreshing acidity & silky soft tannins, are complemented by fine oak & spice. Nicely textured, long dry finish – Elegant & very moreish.