FLINDERS BAY JOINS HIGH FLYERS
Erin Davey, Busselton Margaret Times
Flinders Bay wines have taken to the skies after the Margaret River winery began supplying
Qantas.
Flinders Bay co-owner Bill Ireland said he had received a lot of positive feedback and boosted
sales as a result of its deal to supply wine for Qantas' economy class.
”It has been good marketing,'' he said.
Qantas beverage manager Peter Nixon said the airline wine list was a good way of introducing wines to passengers.
“With almost 2 million domestic passengers each month, it's like the world's biggest wine tasting,'' he said.
Qantas now updates its wine list every six to 12 weeks, whereas previously it was changed twice each year. As part of the updates, the airline focuses on highlighting key wine regions.
Mr Nixon said regional differences had become more important to consumers, particularly travellers who were more aware of the different wine producing regions.
He said he had received fantastic feedback from crew and passengers about the Flinders Bay
wine, not just because of Margaret River's prestige factor, but also from West Australians who wereglad to see their local product on the menu.
”People are more vocal about the wines now,'' he said.
The deal came about when Mr Ireland approached Qantas, employing some of the skills developed in the early part of his career when he had dealt with airlines as part of his role as a liquor retailer in the eastern States.
”It gave me plenty of experience in the style of wines that go well with rubber chicken,'' he laughed.
Discussions between Mr Ireland and Qantas proved fruitful, and a contract for a fixed number of cases was finalised.
Since last year Qantas passengers have had the choice of Flinders Bay's 2004 Cabernet
Sauvignon, 2005 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, 2004 Shiraz and Dunsborough Hills' 2004 Shiraz.
The Flinders Bay wines were originally destined for economy class on domestic flights but Mr
Ireland said he had heard a few bottles had made their way to business class and international flights.
Other Margaret River wineries supplying Qantas business class include Howard Park, Cape
Mentelle, Leeuwin Estate, Woodlands, Evans & Tate and Vasse Felix.
