It is only the second year the awards have included the wider Wellington region, and the win is a first for any business in Wairarapa.
Ms Pattie said the company was honoured to be among a select list of top New Zealand businesses. "We're thrilled to be aligned with past winners such as Icebreaker, Weta Workshop, Trilogy and Xero, and very proud to be flying the flag for Wairarapa with this result," she said. "We entered Global Gold, focused on exporting, and were thrilled to win that.
"But we never imagined we would be in the running for the Supreme Award given the status and amazing achievements of so many of the other finalists."
She said the business had benefited greatly from their dedicated growers and long-serving staff, particularly business manager Alison Paton, vineyard manager Gerry Rotman and winemaker Helen Masters.
Ata Rangi has 14 staff in full-time and permanent part-time roles, and also employs about 35 seasonal workers for picking. Ata Rangi was founded in 1980 by Mr Paton, one of a handful of people to pioneer winegrowing in the Wairarapa region.
From plantings on what was then a bare, stony sheep paddock, Ata Rangi is now a million-dollar business and its wine is exported to more than 25 countries.
Awards director John Dow said Ata Rangi was given the supreme award for its modern approach, international marketing and sustainable practices.
The company is involved in a number of major conservation initiatives, including a collaboration with Project Crimson and Mr Paton's founding of the Aorangi Restoration Trust.
