Press release; TAURANGA, Monday 26th March 2012:

Acclaimed winemaker Steve Bird is one of only two New Zealand winemakers to be invited to present his wines to residents of the world’s most luxurious private mega yacht The World. Bird received the invitation from The World’s head sommelier, Marinela Ivanova, to present a selection of his boutique wines while it sails towards Auckland via White Island on Tuesday.

The palatial ship is privately owned by 130 families and as many as 200 people call The World home at any one time. Residents and guests continuously circumnavigate the globe on an infinite voyage around the world to its most exotic ports of call. Ivanova told Bird the invitation had been extended after one of The World’s distinguished residents spoke highly of the winemaker’s personality and the stylistic nature of his wines.

“Our highly sophisticated residential community would relish the opportunity to meet you in person, to learn more about your winemaking philosophy and to experience your wines,” Ivanova wrote. The World’s vast wine cellars are capable of holding 12,000 bottles and residents have a selection of 600 different wine labels on board sourced from 18 countries.

Bird will present five of his award-winning Marlborough wines during a tapas bar evening, including:
–    2011 Steve Bird Sauvignon Blanc
–    2011 Steve Bird Pinot Gris
–    2010 Steve Bird Riesling
–    2008 Steve Bird Gewurztraminer
–    2009 Steve Bird Big Barrel Pinot Noir

“To be one of only two New Zealand winemakers invited to present on board The World is a great honour, and an experience I’m really looking forward to,” Bird says. “The residents are surrounded by luxury and are served the very finest wine – so knowing our Steve Bird label is held in such high regard is a fantastic compliment.”

Over the years, international wine critics have awarded Bird some of the highest ratings in the world for Sauvignon Blanc, proving he is one of New Zealand’s most accomplished winemakers. His 2009 Pinot Noir and 2010 Sauvignon Blanc were recently listed on Air New Zealand’s business class wine list, and Bird has won a long list of coveted awards in the past two years including Double Gold at the 2011 San Francisco International Wine Challenge and Blue Gold at the 2011 Sydney International Top 100 Wines.

This year The World will visit 31 different countries including New Zealand. The ship’s captains and residents collectively determine the yearly itinerary based on the best sea routes and residents’ personal interests. The 196m-long ship has 165 residences in total, with people spending an average of four months on board every year. The World is a complete floating city, equipped with high-end facilities and luxurious amenities.

About The World:
Launched in 2002, The World® is the largest privately owned, residential yacht on earth with 165 luxury Residences. A diverse group of Residents from 19 countries own the homes onboard and share interests in world cultures, history and adventure, and exploring fascinating destinations. They circumnavigate the globe every two to three years following an extraordinary itinerary that they select. In-depth expeditions and one-of-a-kind experiences are complemented by world-class amenities and impeccable service. To learn more about this unique lifestyle visit www.aboardtheworld.com.

ENDS

For more information or images please contact:
Fran Bailey
Village Public Relations | Marketing
p: +64 7 572 1608
m: +64 21 799 901
e: fran@villagenz.com

Hilari Graff
Strategic Vision  | The World
P: 1 914 881 9056