Saga Cruises has asked Hush Heath Estate to blend an exclusive English sparkling wine for its new ship Spirit of Discovery.

Winemaker Owen Elias worked with Saga Cruises’ executive chefs and Britannia Club members to create the dedicated own label Spirit of Discovery sparkling wine.

Saga Cruises has worked with Hush Heath Estate for many years. 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. 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, says: “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.”