Air New Zealand celebrates finest wines
The curated wine selection celebrates New Zealand's diverse and exceptional winemaking, demonstrating Air New Zealand's commitment to serving and sharing the finest local wines onboard
Air New Zealand is preparing to elevate its wine offerings by selecting premium New Zealand wines to feature onboard its Business Premier cabins and Tier One Lounges.
The airline has invited 125 New Zealand wineries to present their finest wines for consideration. A panel of esteemed wine connoisseurs will gather next month to curate the list of 2024’s top selections.
“Our wine experts are like treasure hunters, seeking the perfect balance of richness, elegance, and complexity in each bottle they discover,” Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said in a July 31 press release. “They understand the unique personality of every varietal and region, piecing together a dazzling collection that’s both impressive and representative of New Zealand’s fantastic wine industry. The result is a fantastic array of New Zealand wines onboard that showcase to customers the best of New Zealand’s wine to destinations like New York, Tokyo and Shanghai.”
The current 2023 selection includes 56 wines from various varietals, representing the diverse wine regions of New Zealand. Air New Zealand serves approximately 62,000 litres of Sauvignon Blanc, 53,000 litres of Chardonnay, and 59,000 litres of Pinot Noir annually, all sourced from New Zealand vineyards. The rigorous blind taste testing process will involve over 500 wines, where experts will assess and choose the finest options.
As well, Air New Zealand recently launched seasonal cocktails in partnership with East Imperial, offering gin-based delights to Business Premier passengers on New York and Chicago routes. The drinks feature local ingredients, aiming to provide a taste of New Zealand’s finest flavours at 30,000 feet.