Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s leading airline, has unveiled an exclusive selection of four Chinese wines as part of its in-flight dining program, catering specifically to first and business class passengers. With this initiative, Cathay Pacific emerges as the first international airline to offer arguably the most extensive array of premium Chinese wines on board.
The newly introduced wines, featured within the airline’s “Discover Wine Series,” are now accessible to passengers flying first and business class on all long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights from March 1st to May 31st, 2024, as confirmed by the company.
Since 2020, Cathay Pacific’s catering and hospitality team has been dedicated to presenting exceptional wine themes through its “Discovery Wine Series,” including previous highlights like the “Women in Wine Series,” spotlighting wines crafted by leading female winemakers.
Vivian Lo, General Manager of Customer Experience and Design at Cathay Pacific, expressed, “The Discovery Wine series is our endeavor to introduce an exceptional wine program that ignites the joy of exploration.”
Elaborating on the new additions, Ronald Khoo, Wine, Spirits & Beverage Manager at Cathay Pacific, emphasized, “The Chinese wine industry has made remarkable strides in recent years. Our aim is to showcase wines produced by passionate individuals equipped with the expertise and technical acumen to craft high-quality wines.”
The curated selection includes Grace Vineyard Tasya’s Reserve Cabernet Franc 2018, Silver Heights Jiayuan Marselan 2021, and Xige Estate Jade Dove Single Vineyard Cabernet Gernischt 2019 from Ningxia, alongside Domaine De Long Dai 2020 from Shandong, established by the DBR Lafite Group. The first three wines are available in business class on a rotational basis, while the latter is exclusively offered in first class.
These exceptional wines were meticulously chosen by a panel of experts, including Debra Meiburg MW, Cathay Pacific wine consultant Roy Moorfield, and Ronald Khoo, from a selection of 40 Chinese wines, with an unwavering commitment to quality.
Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of China’s political advisory body, Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, shared his personal experiences and reflected on the significance of this initiative. Speaking to Vino Joy News, he remarked, “In-flight wines are all about surprises. It was indeed a very pleasant surprise when starting from March 1st, I was offered and asked to choose between several Ningxia wines.”
Leung, instrumental in fostering connections between Hong Kong and the Ningxia Autonomous Region, underscored the region’s allure, emphasizing its status as a burgeoning wine destination. “I have, of course, visited Ningxia quite a few times,” he continued. “Last year, I organized wine tours in Ningxia for dozens of friends, staying in reputable hotels nestled within vineyards.”
Leung concluded by highlighting the region’s accessibility and value, encouraging travelers to explore its offerings. “Yinchuan, the capital city of the Region, is less than 3.5 hours away from Hong Kong. Most vineyards offer excellent value wine tastings,” he added, shedding light on the region’s potential as a captivating destination for wine enthusiasts.
