Virgin Atlantic announces bespoke english sparkling wine

• Virgin Atlantic will launch its very own English sparkling wine, crafted with Hambledon Wine Estate, England’s oldest commercial vineyard
• Harvested in September and October this year, the signature blend is now in production and will be served onboard from 2029
• The move reflects Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to elevating its premium food and drink experience, whilst championing English vineyards

15 October 2025: Virgin Atlantic is set to take English sparkling wine to new heights, with the creation of its own custom blend crafted in partnership with Hambledon Wine Estate, renowned as the birthplace of English wine. Harvested this year and available from 2029, the bespoke sparkling wine will be served onboard, reflecting Virgin Atlantic’s position as a proud British flag carrier and celebrating the global rise of English winemaking.

Since 2019, customers flying in Upper Class have been welcomed with a glass of Hambledon Classic Cuvée, a choice that proved so popular it quickly became a permanent fixture alongside Champagne. The development of a dedicated Virgin Atlantic blend marks the next evolution of this successful partnership. By combining Hambledon’s winemaking expertise with Virgin Atlantic’s innovative spirit, the new sparkling wine will deliver a uniquely British experience for customers, enjoyed at 35,000ft.

With English wine production doubling in recent years, Virgin Atlantic’s new blend reinforces the UK’s place as a serious player in the global wine market. Hambledon’s winemaking team will work closely with Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight 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.  Combining the special energy of Hambledon’s chalk-grown chardonnay with the ripe red fruit and savoury notes of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the wine will be tailored to be quintessentially English but with an inviting openness, accessibility and balance to perfectly express its personality at 35,000 feet.

The new Hambledon blend forms part of Virgin Atlantic’s commitment to premium partnerships and ongoing investment in its award-winning food, drink and customer experience. This includes a multi-million-pound refurbishment of its flagship Heathrow and JFK Clubhouses, the launch of The Signature Ten creations, such as The Clubhouse Burger and The Red Head cocktail, a new partnership with Starlink as well as a refit of its 787 aircraft.

Shiada Drysdale, Manager of Inflight Services Food and Beverage at Virgin Atlantic, commented: “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”.

“We’re all about bringing the best of the best to the skies, and this new blend captures exactly that – a homegrown sparkling wine made exclusively for us. We can’t wait to uncork this new chapter and raise a glass with our customers once it’s onboard.”

James Osborn, Managing Director of Hambledon Wine Estate added: "We’re delighted to be taking our treasured partnership with Virgin Atlantic to even greater heights in creating a bespoke blend. 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 80s. That ambition, resilience and drive for excellence is at the heart of our partnership. We are thrilled to be creating this signature blend alongside the In-Flight team and showcasing English Sparkling Wine to a truly international audience."

About Virgin Atlantic  

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2025, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the ninth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 9,250 people worldwide, flying customers to 28 destinations throughout the year.  Headquartered in London, it employs more than 8,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 30 destinations across four continents throughout the year.   

Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.  Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.     

Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact.  The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In October 2022, Virgin Atlantic welcomed its first A330-900’s to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028.  In November 2023, the airline led a consortium to deliver the world’s first flight across the Atlantic on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is an industry imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030.

For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.  

About Hambledon Wine Estate

Founded in 1952 by Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones, Hambledon Wine Estate is widely regarded as the birthplace of English wine and the oldest commercial vineyard in England. Inspired by his passion for French viticulture and supported by Champagne house Pol Roger, Salisbury-Jones planted vines on the chalky slopes of the South Downs in Hampshire, launching a pioneering vision for English winemaking.  

Situated in Hampshire, England within the South Downs National Park, Hambledon’s 90-hectare estate lies on belemnite chalk soils, geologically identical to those in Champagne and lies a few miles from the south coast. This terroir is ideal for growing the Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier and underpins Hambledon's commitment to the craft of traditional winemaking methods and producing lower intervention English sparkling wines with purity, finesse, and complexity.  

In 2023, Hambledon entered a new era with a joint acquisition by Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant, and Portuguese wine producers Symington Family Estates. This partnership brings together two highly respected, family-run companies with a long-term commitment to excellence and sustainability. Their shared ambition is to elevate Hambledon to a world-renowned wine producer and world-class hospitality and wine tourism destination.  

Hambledon specialises in traditional method English sparkling wines, including: Classic Cuvée, Classic Cuvée Rosé, Première Cuvée and Blanc de Blancs NV.  

In 2025, Hambledon expanded its hospitality offerings with a 40-cover restaurant, a relaxed Courtyard dining area, and a Cellar Door Shop. The estate offers vineyard tours, tastings, and private events in the Douro and St James Tasting Rooms, enhancing its status as a must-visit destination for wine and food lovers. 

For more information visit www.hambledonvineyard.co.uk or via Facebook and Instagram @hambledonwineestate