McLaren Vale winery wins Malaysia Airlines tender
A new wine deal will lead to more travellers experiencing McLaren Vale reds from Wirra Wirra.
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McLaren Vale winery Wirra Wirra has won a tender to supply its 2018 Catapult Shiraz to Malaysia Airlines’ business class customers.
The partnership will mean 18,000 bottles of Wirra Wirra’s 2018 Catapult Shiraz will be poured on board between March this year and September 2021.
Wirra Wirra managing director and chief executive Andrew Kay said the winery had also partnered with Qantas and KLM airlines over the years.
Mr Kay said the new partnership provided a good morale boost for the winery heading into the 2020 vintage.
“It’s a credit to the team and a chance to showcase a more contemporary, brighter style of McLaren Vale shiraz,” he said.
“(Featuring on airlines) is almost like a sampling exercise – it provides exposure to people from all over the world, association with prestigious brands and a chance to get more exposure for not only Wirra Wirra, but also McLaren Vale.
“As we set ourselves for vintage 2020, it’s pleasing to get reward for effort and to share a taste of our region with the world.”
Mr Kay said the 2020 vintage was shaping up well in the Vale, with shiraz looking particularly good.
“Our first whites will be coming in this week, and early cabernet in the next couple of weeks, but it’s a good three to four weeks before we’ll be full swing into vintage,” he said.
The Catapult Shiraz that will feature on Malaysia Airlines’ business class routes takes its name from the onsite trebuchet or “catapult” that has become synonymous with Wirra Wirra’s left-field take on life.
“It’s essentially a medieval siege machine that we use to hurl watermelons into a neighbouring paddock,” Mr Kay said.
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“What started as a bit of lark to honour the late Greg Trott (who revived the Wirra Wirra label in the 1960s) has now become an essential part of our visitor experience.”
Wirra Wirra has also received council approval to build the first 5-star winery resort in South Australia. The 33 room development, with function area, restaurant, day spa and infinity pool will have a wellness theme and open in late 2022.
Mr Kay said work on the site was expected to begin in November, with designs being finalised at the moment.