Since 2001, this epic race historically sailed across the unpredictable Cook Strait has combined the excitement of offshore racing with the exhilaration of releasing a new vintage of Marlborough wines into our capital city from the mainland.

This unique race was loosely based on the traditional “Beaujolais Nouveau” where the first Beaujolais wines were transported from France to the UK.

For 2024, the yachts and launches will deliver their wineries best, to Resolution Bay, in the outer Queen Charlotte Sounds, Marlborough albeit with a slight change of trajectory seeing inshore, offshore and launches heading up the sounds.

Our offshore fleet will head out into Cook Strait, with all fleets meeting in Resolution Bay for prize giving and a celebration of the vintage produced from grapes grown during the 50th year anniversary of making wine in Marlborough.