It’s time to drink up. Literally. Invivo Air, the “world’s first winery airline,” just completed its inaugural tasting flight, with plans for additional jaunts later in 2023.

“We’re thrilled to open Invivo Air to the public and deliver a truly unique experience for those that come on board,” says Invivo Air cofounder Rob Cameron. “We’re looking forward to guiding our guests through the ultimate wine lovers experience.”

On its maiden voyage, the New Zealand-based company flew guests on an Air Saab 340 replete with Cloud Wine emblazoned on the exterior. The plane departed Auckland Airport January 31 on an “all-inclusive viticulture vacation (that) took 30 wine guests from Auckland to Queenstown for an overnight adventure, throughout which they tasted more than 16 wines,” says Invivo.

The guided eight-step wine-tasting at 18,000 feet featured tasting pours from the award-winning Invivo, Graham Norton and Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker ranges. Two hours after take-off, Invivo Air made its descent into Queenstown, where guests were treated to a tour and tasting of select Pinot Noir wines at Legend’s Terrace, one of Invivo’s oldest vineyards in scenic Central Otago.

A five-course, banquet-style meal at Botswana Butchery with paired wine and spirits in central Queenstown followed, before quests retreated to their lakeside rooms at the five-star Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. They returned to Auckland on an Invivo Air flight the next morning.

“We were thrilled to welcome our guests on board Invivo Air and deliver such a special experience,” says Tim Lightbourne, Invivo cofounder. “As a Kiwi company, we loved showcasing some of our stunning wine regions, vistas, gastronomy and, of course, wine to our passengers. We’ve had such positive feedback from our guests, we’re planning our next experience. We’d love to run an international flight for our next trip!”

Ready for your wine flight? Invivo Air is currently taking registrations and destination requests for future flights, with dates and itineraries to be announced later in 2023.