Bright red fruit, silky, vibrant texture – an ideal summer Pinot.
RUA Pinot Noir captures the vibrant character of Central Otago in every glass, approachable, expressive and made to be shared.
Generous red fruit, a touch of spice and vanilla, silky tannins and a smooth, lingering finish. The RUA 2024
One of New Zealand’s most recognisable wines, RUA Pinot Noir owes its success to the quality of what’s in the glass, says Mora Wines general manager Kathryn Pettit. “The wine in the bottle delivers. It’s drinkable and delicious,” she says, noting that many Central Otago Pinot Noirs of a similar calibre sit at twice the price. Central Otago is renowned for producing excellent Pinot Noir, but RUA’s ability to capture the region’s quintessential character while remaining accessible is what keeps people coming back.
Consistency is equally key. “Every vintage has its nuances, but we always stay true to the approachability and vibrant red fruits that define RUA,” says Pettit. “That reliability, vintage after vintage, is a big part of why people trust the wine.”
Summer brings more opportunities to enjoy great wine, and RUA Pinot Noir feels right at home in the warmer months. Featuring plum, black cherry and subtle dried herbs, it embodies everything people love about Central Otago Pinot: lively red fruit, silky texture, freshness and balance, all at a more accessible price point.
A brand shaped by place
RUA Pinot Noir is produced by the Skeggs family under Mora Wines, continuing a Central Otago legacy that began in Bannockburn in 1995. The name RUA carries layers of meaning. In te reo Māori, rua means “two”, a theme that has long been interwoven through the brand’s identity.
“It originally referenced our first vineyard, which was planted in two varieties – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay,” says Pettit. “But over time the idea has evolved to the ‘two forces’ that define our vineyards: hot days and cold nights, towering mountains and low-lying lakes, and the balance of tradition and innovation that underpins our winemaking and viticulture.”
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Advertise with NZME.Those contrasts make Central Otago an extraordinary place to grow Pinot Noir. The region enjoys intensely sunny days, crisp alpine evenings and a growing season that allows fruit to ripen fully while retaining structure and vibrancy. Mora farms 90 hectares across the Pisa and Bannockburn subregions. These distinct landscapes give the winemaking team scope to craft RUA with depth and consistency year after year.
“It can be a challenging place to make wine,” says Winemaker Sarah Adamson, “but we’re fortunate to work across six special vineyards in two subregions. They offer a wonderful spectrum of fruit, from darker characters to bright, lifted red fruits. Blending from these sites allows us to create a RUA Pinot Noir that captures the best of each area.” Sustainability in practice Mora’s philosophy of “allowing each parcel to find its own voice” is grounded in a regenerative approach to farming. Led by vineyard manager Cat Maclachlan, the team makes site-specific decisions with long-term environmental stewardship in mind. Since acquiring Central Otago’s oldest certified organic vineyard in 2018, Mora has expanded its programme to a second site and introduced practices such as, mulching, cover cropping, undervine weeding, and strategic sheep grazing. These measures strengthen soil, fruit quality and vineyard resilience.
“Sustainability is a given now,” says Cat Maclachlan “Our focus is on reducing emissions, responding to climate change, and leaving healthy vineyards for the future. Protecting and nurturing our place is at the heart of everything we do.”
The RUA wine family
RUA’s expressive character isn’t limited to the Pinot Noir – it carries through the Rosé and Pinot Gris too. RUA 2024 Rosé is crisp and refreshing with bright berry notes and pairs beautifully with summer salads, prawns, charcuterie, olives or fresh berries. The RUA 2024 Pinot Gris is elegant and aromatic with notes of stone fruit and gentle spice. It works well with Asian-inspired dishes, smoked salmon, soft cheeses or herbed crackers.
Sarah Adamson loves the RUA Pinot Noir with dishes that have a touch of spice, including slow-cooked pork belly or crispy duck infused with star anise. As for where she enjoys these wines: “Packed in the picnic basket, tucked in the back of the jet boat on a glorious summer day on a Central Otago river somewhere,” she says. “An impromptu barbecue call with the neighbours. I will be packing all three wines.”
At Mora’s cellar door and restaurant just outside Arrowtown, chef John Pickens’ seasonal, locally driven menu is crafted to pair beautifully with RUA wines. Guests can experience a tasting in the garden, at the outdoor bar or in a cosy armchair indoors, before settling in for a menu of crispy confit pork belly or 14-hour lamb shoulder alongside a glass of RUA. A visit to Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen is a relaxed, immersive way to experience the food-and-wine philosophy that defines the brand.
But if you can’t get to Central Otago, RUA brings the taste of Central Otago wherever you are.
*Available at all good liquor retailers and supermarkets. Vist Mora.co.nz/rua
