October 25 2024  |  Food & Beverage

A sip above: Optimizing wine logistics with AMI Group

By Jane Hobson

This is a special feature from PAX International's October 2024 IFSA Global EXPO issue.



Just Enough’s canned wine selection

AMI Group has been serving the aviation industry for more than 35 years, growing a wine portfolio that contains a diverse mix of old and new world appellations, featuring emerging regions. Beyond sourcing wine, AMI Group has introduced a wine logistics management solution with customers such as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue.

Janine Bennett, VP Wine Sourcing and Supplier Management at AMI Group, says, “Our highly qualified and relationship-driven sourcing, sales and operations team have spent the last 25 years developing a diverse family of wine brands that represents the ever-evolving global wine market. With this portfolio we are able to satisfy our varying customers’ needs in all categories of service and help bring the wonderful experience of wine to passengers onboard.”



Megan Ireland, VP Production and Distribution at AMI Group

AMI Group’s wine sourcing team works in tandem with AMI operations and logistics management team to supply world-class wines to its customers. Megan Ireland, VP Production and Distribution at AMI Group, says a primary focus on being an extension of their customers’ team is what sets AMI apart from other logistics management providers.

“The beverage management team’s goal is to be proper stewards of our customers’ money and products. We make decisions that are in the best interest of the customer,” she explains.

Ireland explains that major airline customers can board alcohol from more than 60 different catering kitchens globally. To take advantage of economies of scale, AMI Group saw the need to develop a global alcohol solution with airlines so that passengers can experience the same products inflight, globally.

“Though we have implemented a global solution it is very important to support this global network on a more local basis,” she says. “We have a station provisioning team that is responsible for supporting and being a direct line of contact with each kitchen around the globe.”



Maker’s canned wine selection

A can-do attitude
A new canned wine program launched on United last month, in partnership with AMI Group, bringing sustainability and the passenger experience to the forefront in Economy Class.

AMI Group noticed the opportunities for canned wine more than five years ago.

“We began to focus on building an extensive canned wine portfolio and gathering data to support the application for airline programs,” Bennett says.

These efforts recently came to fruition with the launch of two canned wine brands onboard United. Both Just Enough and Maker are women-owned and WBENC certified. Bennett notes that both brands are young, entrepreneurial organizations making waves in the wine industry. Just Enough will launch on United with a Chardonnay, Rosé and Cabernet from Central Coast, California, while Maker launched with a Sparkling Wine specially crafted by Nicole Walsh from Ser Winery in Santa Cruz, California.

“AMI has been a great partner for our team at United. As we continue to grow our wine program and cultivate strong onboard offerings, partnering with AMI to manage the logistics associated with ensuring the right wine gets to the right place at the right time is key to our success,” Jenefer Jackson, Director Menu Planning at United Airlines, tells PAX International.

The wines are available onboard United’s domestic Economy Class from October 1.

“The onboarding of these wines increases quality for customers and is a major sustainability initiative,” Bennett adds.


AMI Group’s wine logistics management solution has been serving the aviation industry for more than 30 years

The whole package
Focusing on sustainability, AMI Group strives to maximize container and truck loads, with Ireland citing more regionalized programs as examples of sustainability practices the solutions provider integrates into its services to reduce its carbon footprint.

As the voices of millennials and Gen Z become more prominent in the market, Bennett says AMI Group has seen growing demand for ready to drink (RTD) cocktails and wines as well as mindful and ethical drinking.

“Our sourcing team consistently reviews industry data including, IWSR, Nielsen and Winemetrics and attends local and international wine events, conducting extensive tastings to ensure our portfolio is diverse and relevant,” Bennett says of adapting to these evolving industry trends that airlines must keep up with.

When working with airline customers from across the globe, AMI Group finds that open communication and follow up are critical.

“We have found that we are constantly learning in this industry how different laws change and evolve. It is important to approach every situation with an open mind to find an efficient solution for our customers,” Ireland concludes.

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