The round-the-world yachts are due in Auckland early next March for 10 days.

Pernod Ricard NZ is selling some of its Gisborne and Hawke's Bay wine brands and assets to Lion Nathan NZ and its joint venture partner Indevin.

Pernod Ricard is selling 12 brands to Sydney-headquartered Lion Nathan, while Indevin will take ownership of the Gisborne Winery, all company owned vineyards in the Gisborne region and the Twin River's vineyard in the Hawke's Bay.

The sale is subject to Overseas Investment Office approval.

Pernod Ricard features actresses Kate Beckinsdale and Zooey Deschanel in a print campaign for Absolut Vodka.

Both ads have drawn complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority.

No surprises there. The ASA fields complaints about almost every ad that runs, most from time-wasting nutbars.

Pernod Ricard is moving to cull its contracts with Gisborne grape growers in order to tame its oversupply.

Pernod Ricard, owner of Montana Wines and New Zealand’s largest wine company, has said that it is looking at options to limit its supply of sparkling pinot noir and chardonnay in the face of falling demand, both internationally and locally in the face of New Zealand sauvignon blanc.