The Winners of the Business Traveler Cellars in the Sky 2024

The winners of Business Traveler’s Cellars in the Sky Awards 2024 were announced at ME London on 10 February.

This year’s hotly contested awards saw both Qantas and Qatar Airways win Gold medals in four categories.

The Australian flag carrier triumphed in the Business Class White, Business Class Fortified / Dessert Wine, Business Class Wine Cellar, and Best First Class Red categories.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways won Gold medals in the Business Class Best-Presented Wine List, First Class White, First Class Wine Cellar, and Overall Wine Cellar categories.

Korean Air walked away with two Gold medals for Business Class Sparkling and Business Class Red, and Virgin Atlantic and British Airways triumphed in the categories of Business Class Rosé and First Class Rosé, respectively.

Other Gold medal winners included Singapore Airlines (First Class Sparkling), Cathay Pacific (First Class Fortified / Dessert Wine), Japan Airlines (First Class Best-presented Wine List), and oneworld (Best Alliance).

Photo: Richard Gray

Now in its 39th year, Cellars in the Sky has been running since 1985 and celebrates the best business and first class wines served by airlines on their flights.

Late last year, a panel of expert judges convened at Haberdashers’ Hall, in Smithfield, London, to select the best bottles served by airlines in business and first class in 2024.

The judges were winemaker John Worontschak, Masters of Wine Sam Caporn and Peter McCombie, and head judge Charles Metcalfe, founder of the International Wine Challenge.

The competition is open to any carrier that serves wine in business or first class on mid- or long-haul routes. Each airline is invited to enter two reds, two whites, a rosé, a sparkling, and a fortified or dessert wine from both cabins.

Photo: Richard Gray

They can compete in as many categories as they like, but to be eligible for the Best Overall Cellar award, they must enter at least one red, white, and sparkling. For 2024, a total of 32 airlines entered, which is the most since the pandemic.

Business Traveler would like to thank Concha y Toro, Golden Egg Vodka , and The Pickle House for sponsoring the 2024 Cellars in the Sky awards, and Whispering Angel for sponsoring the drinks reception.

For the full list of winners and shortlisted wines, click here.

The Full List of Winners and Shortlisted Airlines

(Judges comments in italics)

Winning Reds

Business Class Red

Gold – Korean Air, Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz, 2021, Barossa, South Australia, Australia 93.5 points 

“Brings a bouquet of bitter chocolate, aniseed, black pepper, and luscious raspberry and blueberry aromas to the nose.” 

Silver – Malaysia Airlines, Kilikanoon The Prophecy Shiraz, 2020, Clare Valley, Australia 93 points

“Elegant and powerful, this wine is quite simply a delight” 

Silver – Virgin Atlantic, Stonehorse Shiraz, Kaesler, Clare Valley, South Australia, 2021, South Australia 93 points 

“Vibrant fruits of the forest and hints of cassis and spice. Offers a supple and elegant mouth feel” 

Bronze – LATAM, La Piu Belle – Vik Winery, 2021, Millahue, Cachapoal Valley, Chile 92.5 points 

“Incredibly fresh, silky, and structured tannins are round, with slight acidity and a long and persistent finish” 

First Class Red

Gold – Qantas, Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2022, Canberra District, Australia 95 points 

“Generous aromas of ripe red berries, roses, violets, and layers of spice, with plush tannins and ripe fruit flavours on the palate” 

Silver – Qatar Airways, Elderton Command Shiraz, 2020, Barossa Valley, Australia 94 points 

“Ripe dark cherry, dark chocolate aromas and flavours, plus velvety firm tannins and underlying oak” 

Bronze – Lufthansa, Château Tanunda Terroirs of the Barossa Eden Valley Shiraz, 2019, Eden Valley, Barossa, Australia 93.5 points 

“Mineral notes and favors of blackberry and Morello cherry. Notes of earth and cured meats bring the palate to a long finish.”

Winning Whites

Business Class White

Gold – Qantas, Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2023, Adelaide Hills, Australia 93.5 points 

“Cool acidity, a tightly wound fruit profile, general minerality and high drinkability” 

Silver – Korean Air, Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Premier Cru, Mont de Milieu, 2022, Chablis, France 93 points 

“Attractive gold-green color. The nose reveals notes of lemon, green pepper, and orange peel” 

Silver – Qatar Airways, Gerard Bertrand Aigle Royal Chardonnay, 2020, Limoux, Languedoc, France 93 points 

“Fruity aromas (pineapple, vine peach, apricot, almond) and floral (white flowers), coupled with toasted notes” 

Bronze – Brussels Airlines, Louis Jadot Domaine Gagey Aligoté Bouzeron, 2022, Côte Chalonnaise, Bourgogne, France 92.5 points 

“Well structured, with hints of peach. The acidity is light, the wine very fresh and lively, and it’s not too tannic.” 

Highly Commended – TAP Air Portugal, Pacheca Superior Branco, Douro, Portugal 92.25 points

“Complex aroma, some notes of tropical fruit such as pineapple and passion fruit, plus hints of toast given by the barrel” 

First Class White

Gold – Qatar Airways, Penfolds Reserve Bin 20A Chardonnay, 2020, Adelaide Hills, Australia 94 points 

“Lean and sleek, but there’s loads of green fruit, with a smoky toast on the finish.” 

Silver – Qantas, Oakridge 864 Henk Aqueduct Chardonnay 2022, Yarra Valley, Australia 93.5 points 

“Background flecks of mineral, and the subtlest notes of toast and vanilla bean” 

Bronze – British Airways, Jim Barry, The Florita Riesling Cellar Release, 2017, Clare Valley, South Australia 93 points 

“Notes of preserved lemon and lavender, turmeric and lanolin” 

Highly Commended – Delta, Invivo X, SJP, Sarah Jessica Parker Sauvignon Blanc, 2021/2022, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand 92.5 points 

“Notes of passion fruit, ripe pepper, and candied lemon rind throughout the mouth.” 

Winning Sparkling

Business Class Sparkling

Gold – Korean Air, Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé, 2013, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France 95.5 points 

“Elegance and complexity, with a smooth texture and great length on the palate” 

Silver – EVA Air, Champagne Castelnau Brut Millésimé, 2006, Champagne, France 95 points 

“Wonderful grilled and toasted notes with an intense aromatic harmony. Citrus notes bring a superb freshness” 

Bronze – Lufthansa, Taittinger Champagne Brut Millésimé, Vintage 2016, Champagne, France 94 points

“Floral aromas of hawthorn and pleasant notes of pear, kumquat, verbena, gingerbread, and white flowers, underpinned by a subtle minty note” 

First Class Sparkling

Gold – Singapore Airlines, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, 2012, Champagne, France 96 points 

“Aromas of sweet golden orchard fruit, buttery croissants, peach and hazelnuts” 

Silver – Cathay Pacific, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, 2007, Champagne, France 95.5 points 

“Delicate nose which combines white blossom and light citrus hints. The palate is vibrant with lemon and good minerality.” 

Bronze – Qatar Airways, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, 2013, Champagne, France 94.5 points 

“Lemon confit, dried flowers, chamomile, spice, and crushed rocks on the palate” 

Highly Commended – ANA, Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée, NV, Champagne, France 94 points 

“Notes of toasted brioche, biscuit, and cereal, yet balanced with white peach and tropical fruits.” 

Highly Commended – Japan Airlines, Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon 2012, VT2012, Champagne, France 94 points

“Gorgeous refreshing balance with natural and baked goods flavors, and offering unbelievable length” 

Photo: Richard Gray

Winning Roses

Business Class Rosé

Gold – Virgin Atlantic, A la Reverie Rosé, AOP Côtes du Rhône, Château de Montfrin, 2023, France 92 points 

“The palate is elegant with lemon-like acidity and redcurrant flavors.” 

Silver – JetBlue, Scribe. Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir, 2022, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA 90 points 

“Lively and fruit-forward with dominant flavors of peach and strawberry leaves” 

Bronze – Lufthansa, Hampton Water Rosé, 2023, AOP Languedoc, France 89.5 points 

“Clean and fresh, with bursts of bright red fruit flavors (cherries, strawberries, and watermelon), balanced acidity, a touch of minerality, and a long, dry finish” 

First Class Rosé

Gold – British Airways, Caves d’Esclans, Rock Angel Rosé, 2023, Côtes de Provence, France 92 points 

“Fresh aromas of strawberries and peaches are discernible, accompanied by a hint of citrus. On the palate, it is fresh and balanced.” 

Silver – Cathay Pacific, Domaine Fournier Père et Fils MMM Pinot Noir Rosé, 2023, Loire, France 90 points 

“Elegant, with notes of blueberries and red fruits.” 

Bronze – American Airlines, Bertani Velante BertaRose, 2023, Verona, Italy 89.5 points 

“Fresh aromas of pomegranate and redcurrants with notes of white flowers and a delicate balance on the palate” 

Winning Fortified/Dessert

Business Class Fortified / Dessert Wine

Gold – Qantas, Baileys of Glenrowan Founders Series Classic Muscat, NV, Glenrowan, Victoria, Australia 94 points 

“Aromas of orange blossom, raisins, dried citrus peel and rose petals, with a balance of sweetness, acid and oak” 

Silver – TAP Air Portugal, Graham’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port, NV, Douro, Portugal 93.5 points 

“Earth, toffee, and fig cake flavors, with a nice spice and a generous and sweet, lovely finish.” 

Bronze – Oman, Château Suau, 2016, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France 92.5 points

“Medium-bodied, bright, with notes of red savoury fruits, herbs and tobacco” 

Bronze – Joint – Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Aer Lingus, Kopke 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal 92.5 points 

“Spicy aromas. Standing out are elegant notes of wood and honey with intense dried fruits flavors”

Photo: Richard Gray

First Class Fortified / Dessert Wine

Gold – Cathay Pacific, Warre’s Otima Single Year Tawny Colheita Port, 1995, Portugal 95 points 

“Rich fruit compote with a touch of chocolate and prune.” 

Silver – Korean Air, Château Guiraud, 2002, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France 94 points 

“Almond aromas, white flowers, orange, pear and citrus zest” 

Silver – Singapore Airlines, Graham’s 20 Year Old Tawny Port,  Douro Valley, Portugal 94 points 

“Nutty character and delicious mature fruit with hints of orange peel.”

Bronze – Qantas, Morris of Rutherglen Old Premium Topaque, NV, Rutherglen, Australia 93 points 

“Layers of butterscotch, ginger snap and spice flavors”  

Winning Cellars

Business Class Cellar

• Gold – Qantas
• Silver – Korean Air
• Bronze (joint) – Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic

First Class Cellar

• Gold – Qatar Airways
• Silver – Qantas
• Bronze – Singapore Airlines

Overall Class Cellar

• Gold – Qatar Airways
• Silver– Qantas
• Bronze (joint) – Air France, Singapore Airlines

Winning Wine List

Business Class Best-Presented Wine List

• Gold – Qatar Airways
• Silver – Lufthansa
• Bronze – Air Canada

First Class Best-Presented Wine List

• Gold – Japan Airlines
• Silver – Qatar Airways
• Bronze – Thai Airways

Winning Alliance

Gold – oneworld