Pinot Noir Pets had its second gathering in Cromwell this week after becoming an official group on February 26, when it received a certificate from the United States stating its rank as the society's 76,054th chapter.
Pinot Noir Pet initiators Helen Smith and Lynne Anderson, both of Cromwell, were made the group's queens, while sharing a bottle of Central Otago pinot noir with some of their 20 fellow members.
Mrs Smith said the group gathered at different events once a month with the intention of having fun and attracting other socialites.
‘‘It [Red Hat Society] is the fastest growing women's group in the world. It's all about meeting like-minded ladies.
‘‘When you're dressed in red and purple, people come and talk to you wherever you go. It's amazing,'' she said.
Members from Oturehua, Alexandra, Clyde, Earnscleugh, Wanaka, and Cromwell had paid to join the group so far and many more were interested in doing so, she said.
Red Hat Society groups had to include something red, something locally appropriate, and something saucy within their names, and were required to follow the two rules.
‘‘You have to be a woman aged 50 years or older and wear purple regalia with a red hat. We chose the Pinot Noir Pets [as a name], as Central Otago's wine is really taking off and, before the group started, Lynne and I would usually get together on a Saturday night and have some red wine,'' Mrs Smith said.
The group is the 68th chapter of the Red Hat Society in New Zealand and plans to visit other groups throughout the country.
Women under 50 can join the group as ‘‘ladies in waiting'', as long as they wear pink hats and lilac clothing. Men are sometimes called upon to help in the operation of gatherings, for which they are called Jeeves.
