McArthur Ridge’s Southern Tor is racking up global awards.

It was ironic that when winemaker Matt Connell heard a Pinot Noir he’d made was named as the best in the world at a prestigious competition, he couldn’t actually toast the incredible achievement with a glass of the triumphant red.

A major wine auction this Labour weekend will see some of the world's most prestigious wines go under the hammer. It will include around 300 auction lots with some individual bottles expected to sell for up to $50,000.

One of the features of the weekend is special charity wine lots for the Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust.