Villa Maria to be Air NZ’s wine supplier

Air New Zealand has named Villa Maria as its sole wine supplier for its economy class as it cuts back on costs.

The airline is thought to be undergoing a major food and beverage shake-up, last week it dropped craft beer Moa as a beer supplier to its Koru Lounges and international flights just one year into a three year contract.

Stuff.co.nz reported that the airline’s beer supply would now be handled by Lion – which is owned by Japanese brewing giant Kirin.

Villa Maria will now be the sole wine supplier for economy and premium economy although wines for business and first class will continue to have more than one supplier.

Previously, wines chosen by Air New Zealand were selected through a tender process which was open to all wineries every six months.

Steve Green, chairman of the New Zealand Winegrowers told the website that the previous system had meant travellers had been able to discover a wide range of the country’s wines.

“From our memberships point of view we see it as hardly constructive to helping the wine industry,” he added.

The move is in stark contrast to another airline, Emirates, which in the past decade has invested US$500 million in fine wine.