Enjoy exceptional wines and creative cocktails onboard Qantas flights thanks to a new team of sommeliers and mixologists from Australia’s acclaimed Rockpool Restaurant Group. Over an intensive four-day blind tasting, this team will evaluate 1,200 Australian wines to identify the best selections for Qantas cabins. The top picks will appear in International First and Domestic Business cabins, while mixologists will develop a rotating series of monthly cocktails for passengers to enjoy.
Called the Qantas Rockpool Sommeliers, the 16-member group includes leading industry figures such as David Lawler, Head of Sommeliers Australia, and Master Sommelier Sebastian Crowther, alongside head bartenders from Rockpool restaurants across the country. In addition to choosing wines and designing cocktails, the Rockpool Sommeliers will lead the Qantas Advanced Sommelier in the Sky training program for cabin crew, ensuring service teams are well versed in wine knowledge and presentation. Qantas already has around 150 cabin crew members who have completed various levels of its wine training course, and this collaboration will further raise the standard of onboard beverage service.
The partnership emphasizes a thoughtful, passenger-focused approach: blind tastings ensure selections are chosen purely on quality and suitability for in-flight conditions, while monthly cocktail creations provide regular variety and seasonal inspiration. Travelers in premium cabins can expect carefully curated wine lists showcasing Australian varietals and producers that perform well at altitude, paired with cocktails designed to complement the onboard dining experience.
This initiative reflects Qantas’ commitment to elevating the culinary and beverage experience in the air by teaming with a respected culinary group. Rockpool’s expertise in both wine and mixology brings a professional, restaurant-level sensibility to inflight hospitality, from selecting bottles that preserve flavor at cruising altitude to training cabin crew in tasting notes, food pairings, and service technique.
For passengers, the result will be a more refined and consistent beverage program. International First and Domestic Business guests will benefit from a curated wine selection chosen through rigorous testing, while monthly cocktail offerings will introduce new flavors and seasonal choices. The collaboration also provides ongoing professional development for Qantas cabin crew through the Advanced Sommelier in the Sky program, ensuring that service teams can confidently guide guests through the curated list.
Overall, the Qantas and Rockpool partnership brings together airline service experience and restaurant-level beverage expertise to enhance the inflight dining experience. Through blind tastings, expert-led training, and rotating cocktail menus, travelers can look forward to an elevated selection of Australian wines and thoughtfully crafted cocktails on board Qantas flights.