Savour wines from some of the oldest wineries in the world
Terroir – a French term that describes a wine’s “sense of place” – is shaped by landscape, climate and regional identity. But for wine lovers, this expression often goes beyond the flavours in the glass – every sip tells a story of heritage, tradition and the change of seasons, preserved elegantly in a bottle.
“In this edition of our Discovery Wine series, we wanted to take our passengers on a journey through time to celebrate wine estates whose histories span centuries – even millennia – and whose wines are a living expression of their heritage and place,” says Ronald Khoo, Cathay's Wine, Spirits & Beverage Manager.
Tracing legacy
As with every iteration of our Cathay wine collection, Khoo and his team led a meticulous tasting panel, carefully selecting each wine for its distinctive character and authentic sense of place.
In our First class cabins, passengers can savour a vintage from the iconic Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe. We also showcase the beauty of Riesling through Schloss Vollrads, and Rioja’s legendary Viña Tondonia.
Meanwhile, in our Business class cabins, passengers enjoy a taste of a Chianti Classico from Italy’s oldest winery, Barone Ricasoli. The journey continues with the storied Domaine des Sénéchaux, with roots dating back to the 14th century. The award-winning shiraz by South Africa’s Hartenberg Wine Estate is also a highlight.
“Each bottle in our Discovery wine programme has been carefully chosen not only for its excellence in the glass, but also for the story it tells – of families, regions and legacies that have shaped winemaking for generations,” says Khoo.
We look forward to serving these sips of history with you on your next flight as part of our Discovery wine series. Begin your journey here, with a closer look at the collection.
First class (served on a rotational basis)
Vieux Télégraphe, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone Valley, 2021
Perched atop the stony La Crau plateau in sun-drenched Châteauneuf-du-Pape – one of France’s first five wine appellations – Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe is among the region’s most revered estates, now in the hands of the Brunier family’s fifth and sixth generations.
“Our philosophy has never been to adapt to passing trends or fashions, but rather to adapt ourselves to the terroir,” says Nicolas Brunier, sixth generation of the Brunier family. “Each generation adds greater insight and precision to the art of winemaking. In doing so, we strive to craft wines that are consistently fine, elegant and true to their origin.”
The 2021 vintage is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault grapes sourced from 70-year-old vines, handpicked and matured in French oak foudres. It offers red fruit, earthy and leathery notes, soft tannins, and a long, elegant finish.
Schloss Vollrads 1211 Riesling, Rheingau, Germany, 2020
Nestled in Germany’s Rheingau region, blends tradition with organic viticulture. This means handpicking grapes multiple times each season, using spontaneous fermentation and maturing the wines in German stuckfass barrels within its historic Cabinet cellar – a term that coined the origin of the Kabinett category.
The 2020 vintage – a limited edition of just 2,000 bottles – was aged on lees with weekly bâtonnage and matured in German oak tonneaux. The result is a dry, vibrant taste with elegant notes of plum, melon and lemongrass.
R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2012
One of Spain’s oldest and most revered family-run wineries, R. López de Heredia was founded in 1877 in the heart of La Rioja, and is now overseen by the fourth generation of the López de Heredia family. The estate is famed for its long maturation – grapes spending six to ten years in barrel, and even longer in bottle, before release.
If you’re drawn to wines that tell tales of place and time, the Viña Tondonia Reserva 2012 speaks fluently. Harvested on a particularly dry season, the wine offers a rich, dry, smooth and developed journey, with firm tannins and balance from a blend of Tempranillo, Grenache, Graciano and Mazuelo grapes.
Business cabins (served on a rotational basis)
Credit: Elvis Chung
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Riserva Chianti Classico, Italy, 2022
Chianti Classico is the cradle of Tuscan viticulture, and at its heart lies Barone Ricasoli . Founded at Castello di Brolio in 1141, it’s Italy’s oldest winery and the birthplace of the original Chianti recipe.
Each wine has its own distinct personality, shaped by the diverse soils, altitudes and microclimates – however the Chianti Classico is one of the most collectible styles. A standout is the 2022 Riserva, a blend of Sangiovese and Colorino grapes, aged for 18 months in new French oak and seasoned tonneaux, then bottle-aged for six months. It offers remarkable clarity and finesse, with floral and red fruit aromas, firm tannins and vibrant acidity.
Domaine des Sénéchaux, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône Valley, France, 2022
In the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape sits the historic Domaine des Sénéchaux. Revitalised in the early 2000s by the Cazes family — renowned proprietors of Chateau Lynch-Bages in Bordeaux — the estate has since gained acclaim for its elegant yet powerful expressions of southern Rhône terroir.in Bordeaux — the estate has since gained acclaim for its elegant yet powerful expressions of southern Rhone terroir.
The 2022 vintage reflects the estate’s dedication to sustainable viticulture and meticulous winemaking, blending Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes into a wine that embodies the region’s sun-drenched power and herbal nuance. Aromas of Mediterranean garrigue, dark berries and spice evoke the depth of old vines, while its balance and refinement speak to the precision of modern craft.
Hartenberg Estate Shiraz, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2021
Established in 1692, Hartenberg Wine Estate has evolved from a historic South African farm into a leader in regenerative viticulture and sustainable winemaking. Its ethos of “leaving the land better than we found it” has earned it a WIETA Level A certification.
Under the Mackenzie family’s stewardship, this legacy now includes a commitment to ethical labour, ensuring regeneration is both ecological and social. The 2021 shiraz vintage embodies this legacy and evolution. A gold winner at the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards, the bottle has been praised for its balance, spice and luxurious texture.