Sileni wines wins second airline tender, set to be served aboard British Airways services

Sileni Estates CEO Nigel Avery is delighted two airlines have chosen to serve its pinot noir to first-class passengers.

Four months after Hawke's Bay's Sileni Estates' top-line pinot noir began being 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 its 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 in first-class.

"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."

Being included on international flights was further endorsement of the variety, he said.

Recent vintages had collected trophies in the Sydney International Wine Competition, the Korea Wine Challenge and the China Wine and Spirits Awards.

They also picked up gold medals in the Selections Mondiales des Vins in Montreal, Los Angeles International Wine Competition, San Francisco International Wine Competition and Mundus Vini International Wine Awards in Germany.