The WineWorks Wine Race saw nearly 40 yachts race across the Cook Strait to deliver 29 Marlborough wines to the Capital. Over 250 people were involved in crewing the yachts on 1 December in one of New Zealand’s largest off shore yacht races. Waikawa Boating Club gained yacht entries from across the country, with some skippers sailing their yachts all the way from Auckland for the annual event. Saint Clair Family Estate and Mahi Wines were well represented, both having four wines involved in the race.
Since 2011 this epic yacht race across the unpredictable Cook Strait has combined the excitement of offshore racing with delivering top Marlborough wines to Wellington. While uniquely New Zealand, the yacht race is loosely based on the traditional Beaujolais Nouveau where the first of the season Beaujolais wines are transported from France to the UK. Starting just outside the Tory Channel in the Marlborough Sounds, this year saw spectacular weather for the day of the race. Through yacht and winery entries, over $300 was able to be donated to race partners, Life Flight.
