Air New Zealand Presents Thirteen Forty Five Wine
Imagine stepping onto an Air New Zealand flight and finding not just peanuts and a drink, but a glass of vino born from the very skies you’re soaring through. Dreamy, isn’t it? A few months ago, Air New Zealand hinted at this sky-high flavor fusion by teasing us with their own wine label. Well, the wait is over, folks!
Air New Zealand’s Thirteen Forty Five Wine Label
Let’s set the scene: Air New Zealand, that star-studded airline in the Star Alliance, has taken to the vineyards with a new line of wines dubbed Thirteen Forty Five. Now, before you wonder if someone’s slightly tipsy already—this isn’t just a cheeky number. It’s a nod to their first flight from Auckland to Sydney, marking a monumental 1,345 miles in the world of aviation, courtesy of TEAL, now part of Air New Zealand’s charming backstory, dating back to 1940.
And before you start frantically searching the aisles of your local wine store—hold your horses. This exclusive elixir is a treat for Air New Zealand passengers, meant to be savored either way up high or in their plush lounges on solid ground. As of March 2025, you lucky travelers in business class, premium economy, and their enviable lounges have been blessed with this nectar. Oh, and during a short time at Koru Hour on select domestic flights.
In cahoots with the maestro wine producer, Villa Maria, Air New Zealand’s vino is tailor-made to make your taste buds sing at 35,000 feet. Their premiere listings? A sauvignon blanc and a pinot noir, each one trying to outshine the other by splashing us with these vibes:
- The sauvignon blanc weaves together grapes from the lush vineyards of Marlborough’s Wairau and Awatere valleys, suffused with whiffs of passionfruit, lemongrass, and a whisper of herbs.
- The pinot noir, a gallant drop from the eastern Wairau valley, boasts glorious flavors of cherry and plum, with coy hints of dried herbs and violets.
Here’s what Kylie McGillivray-Brown, Air New Zealand’s go-to gal for all things customer experience, has to say:
“Crafting excellent wine doesn’t just happen with the click of a finger. Thirteen Forty Five is very much a labor of love, celebrating our history while adding some magic dust for our passengers. We’re over the moon to release this, particularly as we mark our 85th year of flying high.”
“Every sip is a toast to a saga that stretches through miles and decades. It’s about the fusion of our travel passion and devotion to New Zealand’s phenomenal wines. We hope our flying friends relish every drop as much as we cherished its making.”
Tom Dixon, the wine whisperer from Villa Maria, chimes in with:
“The vintages we had were like gifts from the wine gods themselves, forming the perfect debut release. Mother Nature was kind during growing season, blessing us with conditions ripe for exceptional quality wines that capture the soul of Marlborough’s sauvignon blanc and pinot noir.”
A Refreshing Initiative from Air New Zealand
Sure, Air New Zealand isn’t the pioneer airline in crafting its boozy concoctions. There’s Alaska Airlines, with their fun little collaboration for a custom pale ale dubbed “Cloud Cruiser.” And let’s not forget British Airways, with their exclusive first-class gin, concocted with Cambridge Distillery’s genius.
Most of Air New Zealand’s previous wine offerings are courtesy of Indevin Group, so their tight relationship hasn’t skipped a beat. What’s new, though, is their foray into “Val Seny ski resortVal Seny ski resort,” proving they have taste far beyond just top-tier travel.
But hang on a sec—isn’t it a bit of a double-edged sword? By blending their own wine, they might just be dimming the spotlight on New Zealand’s esteemed wine producers they usually champion. With this label not hitting the shelves for public sipping, there’s a risk of dimming awareness for all those other wine ventures back home.
Still, you’ve got to admit, an airline jumping on the wine label bandwagon is a stroke of genius, especially when that country is known for producing some of the world’s finest vino.
Bottom Line
So, there you have it—the tale of Thirteen Forty Five, Air New Zealand’s newest offering rolled out in collaboration with Villa Maria. With a sauvignon blanc and pinot noir now tickling the palates of lucky passengers both airborne and on terra firma, this unique initiative definitely caters to the connoisseur within each traveler. It’s not every day you come across a wine launch at 30,000 feet, is it?
Have you tried Air New Zealand’s airborne winery experiment? Give it a swig and let me know, will you? I’m itching for those tasting notes!