The Marlborough Regions first new vintage Sauvignon Blanc launch/race was held on September 11th, 2001 and was followed by a gala trade tasting of the regions new vintage Sauvignon Blanc wines at the Queens Wharf event centre in Wellington. In 2002 and 2003 the event was further developed to include a trade tasting in both Wellington and Auckland which were both followed by a public tasting.
The primary drive behind the annual event is to highlight the annual release of the Marlborough regions new vintage Sauvignon Blanc wines that are to this day continuing to get critical acclaim in overseas markets around the globe.
The main focus of the annual launch takes the form of a high stakes dash across the notorious Cook Strait, from Waikawa in the South Island to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington, in the North Island, followed by a tasting event in Wellington. Most years the crossing is plain sailing but the Cook Straits reputation as one of the worlds most hazardous stretches of water has taken its toll on our racing fleet over the last ten years.
There's a change in tack for 2017, as wine companies can enter any variety, and we bring the focus back to Marlborough by hosting trade, media and influencers for the Wine Marlborough Twilight Series in the lead up to the big Wine Race.
