NZ yachts in new season wine race
14 Oct 2008
New Zealand has strengthened its reputation as a wine growing, seafaring nation with an annual event that could become the Kiwi version of the beaujolais nouveau race.
A fleet of yachts each carrying a padlocked case of new-season sauvignon blanc from the world renowned Marlborough wine region have raced across Cook Strait in a bid to be first to land it in the North Island.
Official race
The annual race has become part of Yachting New Zealand's official calendar and is growing in popularity with yachties and wine-buffs. The event is sponsored by 18 Marlborough wineries and carries a NZ$750 prize. Each participating boat also receives six bottles of Marlborough wine.
Fifteen yachts crossed the Strait with the leader taking just four-and-a-half hours to sail from the South Island to the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club in Wellington.
Under padlock
The cases of wine were all kept locked until a prizegiving ceremony at the club. The idea was to make a surprise out of which bottle made it to the North Island first - but also to stifle temptation, winning crew member Doug Avery said.
In a previous year's race, one boat had been spotted zig-zagging wildly halfway through the race. "I don't think they trust us with the wine," he said.
Most of the crew were Marlborough sheep farmers, but some members - including skipper Ali Turnbull - had stakes in vineyards.
Marlborough wine growing
Marlborough has more than 3000 hectares of vineyards and produces award winning varieties including sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, riesling, pinot noir, pinot gris, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot.
But the jewel in the Marlborough crown is undoubtedly its sauvignon blanc wines, critically acclaimed as among the best in the world.
The same climatic and soil qualities that ensure the success of the region's wines, also help to produce fine fruits and vegetables, seafoods, meats, and dairy products which have collectively earned Marlborough the title 'Gourmet Province of New Zealand'.
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