News

A new English sparkling wine has been exclusively blended by Hush Heath Estate for Saga Cruises’ new ship Spirit of Discovery.

Winemaker Owen Elias, who has won multiple United Kingdom Vineyards Association awards, worked with Saga Cruises’ executive chefs and Britannia Club members* to create the dedicated own label Spirit of Discovery sparkling wine.  Elias says it is a ‘delicious sweeter wine with balanced acidity and a delicate mousse’. 

Saga Cruises has worked with Hush Heath Estate a 400 acre estate comprising 100 acres of vineyards, which nestles among rolling hills in the Garden of England, for many years and Hush Heath Estate producer Richard Balfour-Lynn says he was ‘delighted to create a sparkling wine for the new world-class ship’.

He said: “We wanted to design a dedicated own label for Spirit of Discovery to mark such a wonderful occasion.

“Building a new ship is like building a great wine; both require dedication, commitment and passion, but it is always worth the wait.”

He added: “We are proud and privileged to be part of Saga’s amazing new venture.”

The new ship, “Spirit of Discovery," will home port from Dover where her naming ceremony will take place on July 5, 2019 before she sets sail on a maiden voyage around the British Isles on July 10, 2019.

Saga Cruises’ Chief Operating Officer, Nigel Blanks, said: “Saga is very proud of its Kentish heritage.  We have our headquarters in Folkestone and our first ship set sail from Dover over twenty years ago. We also source much of our fresh produce from the county and so the new Spirit of Discovery sparkling wine, made from grapes grown and picked in Kent, is another exciting treat for our guests from the garden of England.”

EDITORS:

Saga’s first new ship Spirit of Discovery will be a 58,250 gross tons vessel measuring 774.3ft in length and a maximum beam of 102.4ft.
She will sail from Dover on July 10, 2019 with itineraries featuring the Channel Islands, the Norwegian Fjords, the Baltic and the Mediterranean. In the autumn she will sail from Southampton to destinations including the Canaries and a Christmas cruise to New York.
Spirit of Discovery will host 999 guests and 530 crew members.

*Britannia Club members

Everyone who cruises with Saga for more than 35 nights is rewarded with free membership of the Britannia Club. This brings an array of benefits from exclusive special offers, a dedicated booking line and a quarterly newsletter to an extended chauffeur service, priority boarding and a free cruise depending on the level of membership.

There are five membership levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Sapphire and, for guests who sail more than 1,000 nights, the Diamond tier.

Visit travel.saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean/our-ships/spirit-of-discovery

Hidden away in the Kent countryside near Staplehurst, Hush Heath Estate, one of the top premium producers of English wine, is open for self-guided and bookable tours and tastings.  Visitors can stroll through the Estate’s immaculate vineyards, apple orchards and ancient oak woodlands - seven days a week, including Bank Holidays, from 10am to 5pm. 

All tours and tastings (other than self-guided tours) should be booked directly with the winery team by calling 01622 832794 or visiting www.hushheath.com.