NZ Winery Finds Favour with International Airlines

They may be rivals on the ground and in the air, but when it comes to knowing a good wine it seems some of the world’s best airlines are in agreement on which wine to serve their passengers.

A number of The Mud House Group’s internationally honoured vintages have been selected for in-flight dining on several prestigious airlines for Asia Pacific routes and as far afield as Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The Mud House Wine Group marketing manager Cathy Wansink, says Scandinavian Airlines will now be serving the celebrated 2010 Mud House Sauvignon Blanc to its business class guests from June this year. The same wine has also been selected for Singapore Airlines business class flights, she says.

Wansink says the company is thrilled to have also found favour with Australia’s national carrier, with Qantas choosing the 2009 Mud House Swan Pinot Noir for its business class passengers.

“We pride ourselves on producing a range of exceptional wines from both the Waipara Hills and Mud House brands which are unsurpassed in their quality and taste, we are thrilled that so many global airlines are recognizing our wines in this way, ” says Wansink.

The company’s wines are also a huge hit with our own domestic carrier, Air New Zealand choosing to serve the popular 2008 Waipara Hills Waipara Chardonnay on international business premier class flights recently. The Mud House wines continue to enjoy their position as industry heavyweights.

“The 2010 Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir has been selected by Air New Zealand for international economy class flights and will be available in the near future while the 2009 varietal can be enjoyed in Koru Lounges throughout the country already,” says Wansink.

The award-winning 2010 Waipara Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc remains a standout success, helping Jetstar win the ‘Best Business Class White’ in the influential Cellars in the Sky Awards 2011 held in London earlier this month.

The awards, run by Business Traveller magazine, recognise the best business and first class wines served by airlines worldwide, with more than 250 wines entered by a total of 32 carriers*.

Described by the judging panel as “crisp, fresh and herby with a hint of celery… A good core – balanced, focused and intense,” the 2010 Waipara Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc received a mark of 95 out of 100 to take out the prestigious title.

Wansink says the award is a great achievement for the company which continues to make its mark on the world stage.

“The Cellars in the Sky Awards is a particularly unique competition in that it recognises the best wines served to passengers by airlines during in-flight dining. Our brands have continued to impress in this category and have been enjoyed by many thousands of people on a number of different carriers,” says Wansink.

For more information, visit www.waiparahills.co.nz or www.mudhouse.co.nz