Air NZ launches wine label celebrating historic flight

Kylie McGillivray-Brown, Air New Zealand General Manager Customer Experience, said that these unique blends have been meticulously crafted to offer an exclusive experience for customers whether they're flying or relaxing in a lounge.

"Making a great wine takes time," McGillivray-Brown said. "And Thirteen Forty Five has been a passion project that honours our legacy while creating something special for our customers. We're thrilled to finally share it— particularly in the year in which we're celebrating our 85th birthday. "

"With every sip," she added, "travellers can toast to a legacy that spans miles and decades. It celebrates the connection between our love for travel and our passion for New Zealand's incredible wines. We hope our customers will enjoy drinking it just as much as we enjoyed creating it. "

The sauvignon blanc blends grapes from select vineyards in Marlborough's Wairau and Awatere valleys, offering aromas of passionfruit, lemongrass, and subtle herbal notes. The pinot noir is sourced from vineyards on the eastern side of the Wairau valley and features flavours of cherry and plum with hints of dried herbs and violets.

Winemaker Tom Dixon of Villa Maria expressed his satisfaction with the vintages used for this debut release: "We couldn't have asked for better vintages to produce the debut release of these wines. " He noted that conditions during the growing seasons were very favourable for producing high-quality wines that reflect their respective varieties."

Looking ahead, Air New Zealand plans to expand its Thirteen Forty Five range in late-2025 with a new vintage of Marlborough sauvignon blanc and introduce a new red varietal from Hawke's Bay.

In addition to Thirteen Forty Five, Air New Zealand continues its tradition of showcasing diverse selections of some finest local wines each year through blind tastings by expert panels ensuring top choices for its Business Premier cabin and lounges.

"New Zealand boasts some world's finest wines," McGillivray-Brown said proudly. "And we are proud bring these exceptional selections our customers . "