The pinot that brings people together

So many moments in life are made better with a good wine. Whether you’re catching up with friends before everyone heads away for the holidays, enjoying a festive meal with family, or just laughing the night away with loved ones after dinner, there’s always a place at the table for an excellent pinot noir.

If you’re looking for a great value wine that is truly crafted for connections, look no further than RUA. Their multi-award-winning Central Otago pinot noir captures everything there is to love about this region and this second-generation, family-owned wine business.

A Central Otago success story

The journey that led to the launch of the RUA brand started with Sir Clifford and Lady Marie Skeggs in 1995, when they purchased land in Bannockburn and planted their first vines the following year. Today, RUA still stands proudly in the Skeggs Group portfolio, alongside their other successful wine brand, Mora Wines.

Part of the success of the RUA vineyards can certainly be attributed to their ‘magical latitude’; at 45 degrees south, their Central Otago vines absolutely thrive, forming the foundations for superior winemaking. The region’s intense sunlight, long summer days and crisp alpine nights deliver optimal fruit for pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris.

An approachable, award-winning pinot noir

Winner of five trophies and eighteen gold medals, RUA Pinot Noir has a rich and generous palate, with black cherry, raspberry and plum notes supported by vanilla and classic Central Otago dried herbs. A subtle spiciness adds to the complexity, and silky tannins round it out with a smooth, lingering finish. Made for bringing people together over good food, it is an effortlessly drinkable wine — even for those who don’t usually reach for pinot!

The 2023 vintage has received a landslide of accolades over the past year, with Gold medals in the 2024 and 2025 New World Wine Awards, and 90+ points scores from the NZ International Wine Show 2025, The Real Review, Wine Orbit, Cuisine and Cameron Douglas MS. Previous vintages have also seen international success in the Decanter World Wine Awards, the Sydney International Wine Competition and the China Wine & Spirits Awards.

Even with this level of recognition, RUA Pinot Noir retails for less than $30 in New Zealand. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a good bottle of wine, it’s a reliable, delicious choice at a great price. While pinot noir is RUA’s hero varietal, their rosé and pinot gris are also standout wines. Ideal for a balmy summer afternoon, RUA Rosé is vibrant and crisp, with notes of strawberries, ripe summer blueberries and a touch of orange blossom. The RUA Pinot Gris brings fragrant notes of jasmine, pear and nectarine for a lively, fruit-driven finish. Both wines are an excellent addition to a special event, or poured at home for everyday enjoyment.

RUA crafts the kind of wine that feels at home anywhere — around the barbecue, at the Christmas table or shared on the deck as the sun sets. No fuss or formality. Just good company, good food and a wine that fits in — yet always feels a little special.

All RUA wines are a celebration for every day — vibrant, approachable expressions of Central Otago. If you’re in the region anytime soon, we recommend you try RUA with perfect food pairings at Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen. 

You can find RUA wines at all good liquor retailers and supermarkets. Learn more, or shop online at mora.co.nz/rua