Virgin Atlantic is partnering with Hambledon Wine Estate in the UK to create its own custom blend to serve onboard.
The bespoke sparkling wine will be harvested this year to be available from 2029.
The development of a dedicated Virgin Atlantic blend marks the next evolution of the partnership with Hambledon’s, renowned as the birthplace of English wine.
Since 2019, customers flying in Upper Class have been welcomed with a glass of Hambledon Classic Cuvée and the sparkling wine has since become a permanent fixture alongside Champagne.
Hambledon’s winemaking team will work closely with Virgin Atlantic’s inflight team to create a wine that “captures the essence of Hambledon’s unique location and heritage, but in a style that will perfectly complement the airline’s Upper-Class experience”.
Virgin said the wine would combine the “special energy of Hambledon’s chalk-grown chardonnay with the ripe red fruit and savoury notes of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier”.
It will be tailored to be “quintessentially English but with an inviting openness, accessibility and balance to perfectly express its personality at 35,000 feet”.
Shiada Drysdale, Manager of Inflight Services Food and Beverage at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Virgin Atlantic and Hambledon have built a strong partnership over the years, sharing a passion for quality, innovation and a touch of British flair. Taking that collaboration to the next level with our own bespoke sparkling wine felt like a natural step”.
James Osborn, Managing Director of Hambledon Wine Estate, added: “We both share a pioneering spirit – our founder, Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones, planted England’s first commercial vineyard, just as Richard Branson changed airline travel in the 1980s. That ambition, resilience and drive for excellence is at the heart of our partnership.”
