News and Events

12 February 2009

Red Baron Set to Take Off

In April our 2008 Red Baron Shiraz will be available on all Qantas international flights. Passing a gruelling taste-off against many thousands of wines, Red Baron was selected as a fine example of a McLaren Vale Shiraz which met all of the criteria for Qantas passengers. Qantas wanted the wine in single serve (187ml) plastic bottles because the weight of glass affects fuel consumption over long flights.

When asked if Fox Creek Wines could supply the wine in this format our enthusiastic Sales Manager, Errol Hanna, agreed immediately. He then returned from Sydney to work with our winemakers and production partners to see if it was indeed possible!

The initial order is for 252,000 bottles which is equivalent to 4,500 dozen of the normal 750ml bottles. According to Qantas 5 million people will see the brand in a 12 month period, so the marketing value is enormous. For a smaller wine company it is a huge achievement against the power of the giant companies.

Qantas also are pouring our 2004 Reserve Shiraz in 750 ml bottles to First Class and Business passengers on Domestic and International routes. They bought the wine when it won South Australian Wine of the Year in 2006 and cellared it for a few years so that they could offer the passengers a top wine which is no longer available in the market place. Qantas has already asked Fox Creek to submit wines for their next round of tastings