I say, I could go another drop of that fruity pinot

If the Queen and her kin were snapped charging a glass of red wine to the crowds as she steamed down the river Thames during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, it would've been a pinot noir from Waipara Springs she was sipping.

It was revealed last week that Prime Minister John Key wasn't the only Kiwi hobnobbing it with royalty on board the Royal Barge, Spirit of Chartwell.

As our waka-paddling warriors and schoolboy rowers were trying not to get any of the dodgy river water in their mouths during the massive flotilla, the team from Waipara Springs were celebrating being one of the wines being enjoyed by the goblet-full by the royal party above water.

Waipara Springs CEO Andrew Moore was advised of the selection for the historic flotilla while representing the brand during the London International Trade Fair.

"It was an honour to be told that our wine had been selected to 'represent the Commonwealth' and the only red wine to be served," he said.

"Waipara Springs Pinot Noir is made in the classic fruit-driven style that New Zealand wine is renowned for worldwide.

"With an emphasis of fruit characters these wines are a vibrant expression of our vineyard." Yvonne Lorkin