Can do attitude
A new $130 million can manufacturing facility will launch in South Auckland on 9 September, with minimum order quantities of 30,000 printed cans.
The Fine Wines of New Zealand comprises 47 wines, chosen by five Masters of Wine, (Steve Smith, Michael Brajkovich, Simon Nash, Sam Harrop and Alastair Maling) and one Master Sommelier (Cameron Douglas). It has taken over eight months to fine tune, during which time the six wine professionals have discussed and tasted more than 130 wines, of all varieties.
Air New Zealand Chief Operations Officer Bruce Parton, says the Fine Wine List is the culmination of a plan put into action more than two years ago.
“We thought we could do something to really promote the top end of wine in New Zealand. But we wanted to ensure that it was independent from the airline itself.”
Hence approaching the MWs and seeking their ideas on just how that could be achieved.
“They came up with the idea,” Parton says. “Our role at Air New Zealand is simply facilitating the process.”
The MWs initially provided individual lists of wines they considered met the “fine wine” criteria. That criteria was that the wine had to be world class and to have held that status for at least five years.
“A key requirement of theirs, was that these wines had to have been made consistently for five years or more. So rather than just a one off top wine, this is about the longevity of the quality of the wine.”
Each of the six wine professionals was assigned an effective grouping. It was their job to find a range of fine wines within that category. Parton says there was no set number allocated to any grouping, or a total figure the final list had to achieve. Once the individual had come up with their list, they then had to present it to the rest of the group and achieve a consensus on whether or not the wine was worthy of the “Fine Wines of New Zealand” moniker.
The final 47 now make up the Fine Wines of New Zealand list – a selection of which is served in Business Premier cabins. Not all 47 wines will be available on all flights, as the wines will be matched to the food being served on any given day and some are not available in the quantities needed.
While this is a first for any airline in the world, Parton says it is also a first for the New Zealand wine industry. There has long been talk of establishing a “classics” category in this country. Most other producing nations have such a list, although the majority of these are based on auction prices. That is something New Zealand cannot really emulate, given the auction market here is somewhat fragmented. Having a group of independent experts working together to create a list is unique says Parton.
“That was the point of it, to create something that would generate value and be a first for New Zealand wines.”
For the wineries whose wines have made the final list, being served in Business Premier is not the end of the road. Parton says in many ways it is just the beginning, as Air New Zealand is providing a range of options to help promote the wines to international clients.
“Our aim from an Air New Zealand perspective is to make these wines more commercially viable through how we work with them under our plan to make New Zealand business more profitable.”
A new wine channel on the inflight entertainment system will have the Masters of Wine discussing how they came up with the Fine Wines list. Each winery will have the opportunity to provide material for this channel that highlights the company, the vineyards and the personnel behind the wines. Given many travelers after trying a certain wine like to know where they can purchase it, Parton says an inflight system will allow them to purchase cases for home delivery, either via credit card or Airpoints dollars should this be of interest to the wineries.
“We often have customers on board trying the wines and asking if they can buy it. Now we can facilitate it, so basically it is an easy retail channel for the wineries.”
The Fine Wines will also be used in off shore promotions.
“We do about 100 events off shore each year in different countries and in many of those we serve wine. So the question we are putting to the wineries is; do you want to be a part of that? In which case you need to be able to sell us some wine, (we are not asking for free wine here, we are buying it). I really want to see these Fine Wines of New Zealand at these events.”
Secondly in countries where events are being held, and winery reps are also in the region, Air New Zealand is keen for them and distributors and/or customers to attend.
“You will start seeing branding of Air New Zealand and the Fine Wines programme together offshore. It can be really hard for small wineries to get penetration in these offshore markets. So if we can assist and open some doors, making it easier, we think this is a really good thing to do.”
The other promotional tool available to the wineries will be offering their wines via the airline’s online Airpoints store, Parton says.
All of these promotional avenues are free of charge to the wineries, which he says will help them to promote their wines, raise the profile and hopefully help them create even more fine wines in the future. That is a sustainable business plan which is something Air New Zealand feels strongly about.
“We want the New Zealand wine industry to grow and continue to make the very best wine. The more they can keep on delivering and improving the good quality product, the better. We feel strongly we have a part to play in that.”
The opportunities available to the wineries on the Fine Wines list is immense and Parton is aware that there will be many companies who will be keen to be included in the future. “But it is no good talking to me about it, as it is all independently created by the Masters of Wine. The simple way is for five years or more, to make the very best wine in your category, to a world class level. If you do that, the Masters of Wine will know about it and then you have a chance to be part of this with us.”
The fine wines of New Zealand for 2016
Aromatics
Felton Road Dry Riesling 2014
Felton Road Block 1 Riesling 2015
Framingham F series Riesling Kabinett 2015
Johanneshof Cellars Gewürztraminer 2014
Stonecroft Gewürztraminer 2015
Te Whare Ra Toru SV5182 2014
Millton Vineyards Clos de Ste Anne Chenin Blanc 2014
Prophet’s Rock Pinot Gris 2014
Dry River Pinot Gris 2014
Bordeaux style
Te Mata Coleraine 2014
Craggy Range Sophia 2013
Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013
Esk Valley The Terraces 2013
Stonyridge Vineyard Larose 2014
Church Road Tom 2013
Chardonnay
Kumeu River Mate’s Vineyard 2014
Neudorf Moutere 2011
Sacred Hill Riflemans 2014
Dog Point 2013
Felton Road Block 2 2010
Villa Maria Keltern Vineyard 2014
Dessert wines
Forrest Wines Botrytised Riesling 2012
Framingham Wines Noble Riesling 2013
Framingham Wines ‘F’ Gewürztraminer 2014
Pinot Noir
Felton Road Block 3 2013
Burn Cottage 2014
Valli Bannockburn 2014
Rippon Vineyards Tinkers Field 2012
Bell Hill 2012
Ata Rangi 2013
Dry River 2013
Craggy Range Aroha 2013
Kusuda 2013
Sauvignon Blanc
Cloudy Bay Te Koko 2011
Astrolabe Province 2015
Dog Point 2015
Greywacke 2015
Saint Clair Reserve Wairau 2015
Vavasour 2015
Sparkling
Nautilus NV
Akarua Vintage Brut 2010
Deutz Blanc de Blanc Vintage 2011
Quartz Reef Vintage 2010
Syrah
Craggy Range Le Sol 2013
Trinity Hill Homage 2013
Bilancia La Collina 2013
Te Mata Bullnose 2014
