British Airways first class passengers to be served Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir
The Sileni Estate Selection ‘Plateau’ Pinot Noir will be served to British Airways first class customers. The wine is
now available in international first class cabins on routes across Asia and the Pacific.
The selection is a further endorsement for Hawke’s Bay grown Pinot Noir, a region which, until now, has not received the
same recognition as other Pinot Noir producing areas within New Zealand.
“I don’t think that many people understand how much Pinot Noir is grown in Hawke’s Bay, or the quality of it. The
varietal is our largest red wine export, appreciated in more than 80 markets around the world for its food-friendly
style,” says CEO Nigel Avery.
The British Airways selection follows the inclusion, across the Atlantic of another Sileni Pinot Noir, the Cellar
Selection, in American Airlines business class cabins. Recent vintages of the varietal have also collected trophies in
the Sydney International Wine Competition, the Korea Wine Challenge and the China Wine and Spirits Awards. In addition
to gold medals in the Sélections Mondiales des Vins in Montreal, Los Angeles International Wine Competition, San
Francisco International Wine Competition and Mundus Vini International Wine Awards in Germany.
“We’re excited by the recognition our Pinot Noir is receiving around the world. Our Plateau Pinot is made from vineyards
planted in cool, elevated Hawke’s Bay sub-regions, sites which are now starting to prove their potential for producing
world-class Pinot Noir,” says Chief Winemaker Grant Edmonds.
ENDS
About Sileni Estates
In ancient Greece the Sileni were companions of Dionysus, the god of good things - wine, vineyards and theatre. Named in
their honour, Sileni Estates stands for great food, great wine and great company. The first vintage was in 1998 and
since then Sileni wines have won world-wide acclaim for their food-friendly wine style.
The Sileni winery is based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s oldest wine region. The company has vineyard plantings in the
Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough and is one of the largest family-owned wine producers in New Zealand.