Pronounced ‘are-ah’, Ara has a double-meaning, the Maori word for ‘pathway’ and Latin for ‘altar’. Read on to discover how it lives up to both these definitions.

Ara - Wairau Valley, Marlborough

The juxtaposition of old and new is a common thread for Ara, from the striking contemporary winery building resting on ancient soils to the state-of-the-art technologies used in combination with traditional winemaking methods. Surrounded by rocks from the original estate, this building designed by Warren and Mahoney in 2008 is affectionately known as ‘The Dart’ for its dramatic, jutting structure and pointed frontage. Though the architecture has real art appeal, function is foremost here and all of the winery’s operations – including the making of their four varietals – are housed within the one structure. arawines.com

What to drink: Ara’s Single Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011. Enjoy it now or put it in the cellar; it will last up to three years.