Let the games begin!
New Zealand's largest celebration of rural sports athletes and enthusiasts – New Zealand Rural Games - is back for its 10th edition, kicking off in Palmerston North from Thursday, March 6th to Sunday, March 9th, 2025.
The inaugural Labour weekend event was a collaboration between The Rees Hotel and four local producers - Felton Road, Prophet's Rock, Quartz Reef and Rippon - plus Martinborough's Ata Rangi.
After a welcoming cocktail party on Friday night, Saturday brought a full day, Pinot Noir-focused tasting at the historic Bannockburn Hall, with a multi-course lunch matched with white wines at the Bannockburn Hotel.
Winemakers showed four wines each, built around various themes, including Europe's influence, the evolution of style, and the impact of vine age.
On Sunday, a 300-lot charity wine auction, run by The Wine Auction Room, saw an impressively serious array of New Zealand and international collectible wines go under the hammer, raising money for the Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust.
A five-course degustation dinner at The Rees followed, featuring older vintages and many winemaker anecdotes.
A significant number of this year's attendees have already registered interest for next year's event, which plans to include a Tasmanian winery.
