Project Crimson

20 years ago Ata Rangi named the young vines pinot noir ‘Crimson’ in support of Project Crimson, the charitable trust working to preserve native red-flowering pōhutakawa and rātā trees throughout New Zealand.

Project Crimson, established in 1990, works with organisations, schools, iwi, communities and individuals throughout New Zealand by way of restoration and environmental education programmes. Project Crimson has played a major role in turning around the health of the metrosideros species, but the beloved pōhutukawa and northern and southern rātā remain under threat today from myrtle rust and the ongoing impact from possums. Work also remains to be done to restore the Bartlett’s rātā species, with very few adult trees known to be surviving.

Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir

Crimson is our selection of fruit from younger parcels of vines in our various vineyards planted on the Martinborough Terrace. We look for a combination of youthful expression and depth of flavour, using fruit from a mix of vines aged between 5 to 20 years.

The Crimson winemaking philosophy is the same as for our signature pinot noir;  a simple, hands-off, traditional approach focused on finding a true expression of our place.

Each vintage has characters that express that season. Cooler vintages tend to be more herbal and spicy, while warmer season brings fuller fruit aromas. 

Aged in French oak barriques for 12 months with 20% new oak each year, Crimson is a style of pinot noir that balances freshness with complexity.

A NEW LABEL

2020 offered a unique opportunity to refresh our Crimson label. 18 years after we released our first Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir, we are excited to present the new look. A simple and beautiful hand-illustration celebrates a blooming rātā and pōhutukawa flower, anchoring this wine within Ata Rangi’s broader story of hand-crafted wines, conservation and native forest regeneration.

Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir is available in 375 ml and 750ml