Four months after Hawke's Bay's Sileni Estates' top-line pinot noir began getting served to first-class passengers aboard American Airlines flights, it is set to be served aboard British Airways services.
The company was successful in both tender processes to get their Sileni Estate Selection ''Plateau'' pinot noir served on the two major airlines. CEO Nigel Avery said the selection was a clear endorsement for Hawke's Bay-grown pinot noir, a region which until now had not received the same recognition as other pinot noir-producing areas within New Zealand.
The wines are being served on American Airlines flights between Auckland and Los Angeles and on the Asian and Pacific routes for British Airways first-class passengers.
"I don't think that many people understand how much pinot noir is grown in Hawke's Bay, or the quality of it," Mr Avery said.
"The varietal is our largest red wine export, appreciated in more than 80 markets around the world for its food-friendly style."