Ata Mara Estate vineyard

Ata Mara Estate vineyard extends to 20 hectares, located on the terraces between Lake Dunstan and Mt Pisa, not far from the 45th parallel. The land here is flat with low fertility alluvial sandy soils interspersed with extensive gravel pans rising to the surface across much of the vineyard.

It's a challenging climate. Late frosts can damages tender young shoots on the vines and there are many spring callouts to start the large pumps that fight the frosts with sprinklers across the vineyard.

The summer heat during the day and cool night temperatures more than compensate as the grapes develop and ripen, bearing fruit that make the stunning wines from Central Otago.

Nothing comes easy here, but the quality of the wines make it all worthwhile.