Air New Zealand has unveiled its new premium wine label, Thirteen Forty Five, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s history. Named after the 1,345-mile inaugural Auckland to Sydney flight in 1940, the label celebrates the beginning of trans-Tasman travel and New Zealand’s growing aviation legacy. The original flight, operated by Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), set the stage for the development of the country’s aviation industry.
Crafted in partnership with Villa Maria, part of the Indevin Group, the Thirteen Forty Five collection debuts with two signature wines: a sauvignon blanc and a pinot noir. Both wines are exclusively available in Air New Zealand’s lounges, Premium Economy cabins on international flights, and for purchase through the Airpoints Store.
To celebrate the launch, select domestic flights will offer Thirteen Forty Five wines during Koru Hour throughout March, providing passengers with a unique taste of New Zealand’s renowned winemaking culture.
Celebrating New Zealand’s Winemaking Heritage
The Thirteen Forty Five sauvignon blanc is a blend sourced from the Wairau and Awatere valleys in Marlborough. The wine features vibrant aromas of passionfruit, lemongrass, and herbal notes, reflecting the region’s unique terroir.
The pinot noir, from the eastern Wairau Valley, offers flavors of cherry, plum, dried herbs, and violets, embodying the best of Marlborough’s winemaking tradition. Tom Dixon, winemaker at Villa Maria, praised the exceptional quality of the vintage, noting that the favorable growing conditions allowed the wines to showcase the best of the region.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Collection and Supporting Local Wineries
Air New Zealand plans to expand the Thirteen Forty Five wine collection in 2025, adding a new sauvignon blanc vintage and introducing a red varietal from Hawke’s Bay, further highlighting the diversity of New Zealand’s wine regions.
The airline also continues to support the country’s local wineries by curating an annual selection of premium New Zealand wines. For 2025, the selection will feature 47 wineries from regions across the country, including Waiheke Island and Central Otago, solidifying New Zealand’s reputation as a world-class wine producer.
“New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most celebrated wines, and we are proud to showcase them to a global audience,” said Kylie McGillivray-Brown, Air New Zealand’s General Manager of Customer Experience.
Through its curated wine offerings in Business Premier cabins, lounges, and in-flight services, Air New Zealand is enhancing the passenger experience while providing a global platform for New Zealand’s top winemakers.
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