Turbulence over future wine award patronage

WINEMAKERS are divided on Air New Zealand’s involvement in the national wine awards after the airline’s decision to appoint a single wine supplier for Koru lounges and economy cabins.

Air New Zealand has held the naming rights for the country’s premier wine awards for 28 years, but its exclusive deal with Villa Maria wines has raised hackles in the industry. Misha Wilkinson, director of Central Otago winery Misha’s Vineyard, said it was ‘‘totally inappropriate’’ for Air New Zealand to continue the sponsorship.

The awards were designed to showcase the diversity of New Zealand wines and the airline’s decision to continue sponsoring the awards after selecting a single supplier was contradictory, she said. ‘‘The industry is seriously disap- pointed in Air New Zealand.’’ Trinity Hill chief executive Michael Henley said he was undecided whether the Hawke’s Bay winery would enter this year’s awards.

‘‘Only time will tell whether they should be sponsoring the awards.’’

While it was disappointing the airline had moved to one main supplier it was entitled to make commercial decisions, he said.