Wingara cruising with P&O
30th July 2008
Australia’s leading cruise company P&O Cruises today announced a move to ditch international wine brands in support of local winemakers to create a new and exclusive onboard wine list.
P&O Cruises will break from tradition to showcase 64 wines from Australia and New Zealand, including some wines that will be available exclusively onboard Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun.
Five wines from the Wingara Wine Group portfolio have been included on the list, as follows: Katnook Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon;
Katnook Founder’s Block Sparkling Shiraz;
Katnook Founder’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon;
Katnook Founder’s Block Chardonnay and
Deakin Estate Chardonnay.
The wine revamp is part of an overhaul to enhance guests’ culinary experiences onboard Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun. Initiatives include new dining options, innovative menus and wine-tastings for passengers to learn as they ‘sip and sail’. Katnook Estate's senior winemaker, Wayne Stehbens, will conduct one such tasting series onboard the Pacific Dawn from October 9-12th 2008.
Sture Myrmell, Vice President Hotel Operations for P&O Cruises, said locally produced wines now had so much depth in both quality and variety, that international wines were no longer a crucial component of an interesting and balanced wine list.
“We would prefer to focus on the growing number of exciting quality wines being produced across Australia and New Zealand and support our local winemakers.
“Our changes also respond to consumer demand, with Australian passengers now more discerning with their wine selections." Mr Myrmell said.
Speaking on Wingara’s prominence within the new P&O wine list, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Wingara Wine Group, Sean Shortt said “we are proud to be a significant part of this all Australian wine list. Having 5 wines selected shows the diversity of style and price within our portfolio. We look forward to working closely with P&O in delivering the very best in Australian wines to their clients."
The new wine list was trialled on Australia’s first superliner, Pacific Dawn earlier this year and will be gradually introduced across the fleet.
Pacific Dawn was designed by famous Italian architect Renzo Piano and features a choice of nine bars and lounges, as well as five dining areas. Meanwhile Australia’s favourite ship, Pacific Sun, offers five restaurants and cafes – ranging from upscale fine dining to casual sushi and antipasto bars – plus eight bars and lounges.
For more information and bookings contact a licensed travel agent or P&O Cruises on 13 24 69 or visit www.pocruises.com.au
Details of the Wingara Wine Group are at www.wingara.com.au
For further information and images contact
Anna Aldridge – Wingara Wine Group. Tel. 03 9693 5406 aaldridge@wingara.com.au
Anthony Fisk - Public Affairs Manager, Carnival Australia
Tel. 02 8424 8861, mobile 0414 848 125
anthony.fisk@carnivalaustralia.com
Lisa Helleur, Porter Novelli on behalf of Carnival Australia Tel. 02 8424 8500 lhelleur@porternovelli.com.au
