Experiences

We followed Saga Cruises’ Head of Procurement, Kasia, as she headed to Chile and Argentina to source boutique wines to be served on board our ships.

Cruising with Saga offers an unforgettable experience, with every little detail meticulously planned behind-the-scenes. This isn’t just about the itinerary and excursions. It even includes curating a wine list, exclusively for guests sailing on Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery.

These aren’t everyday wines you’ll find on the supermarket shelves. Instead, each one has been carefully sourced and tasted by Head of Procurement, Kasia, to ensure the finest quality.

Recently, Kasia, alongside Julie Jackson from Jackson Nugent Vintners of London, set off on an adventure to Chile and Argentina. Their mission? To source exceptional new wines for Saga’s boutique ships.

The journey begins…

Kasia and Julie’s South American adventure began in the heart of Chile’s renowned wine country. Their first stop was at Viña Casa Silva, a family-run winery in the Colchagua Valley, a region famed for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah wines.

This winery has a rich history dating back to 1892, when Frenchman Emilio Bouchon emigrated from Saint-Émilion in the famed wine region of Bordeaux. Over generations, his family have developed a deep understanding of their terroir, resulting in wines that are both exceptional and connected to their land.

Viña Casa Silva is known for its commitment to sustainability, with all its vineyards certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code. Not only that, the winery also manages a significant portion of its land using organic farming methods, with a very limited use of chemicals.

During their visit, Kasia and Julie tasted over 80 locally-produced wines. Such an incredible choice! They ranged from entry-level selections to outstanding, premium bottles. This experience also allowed them to see the whole winemaking process, from grape to the final product.

Viña Casa Silva is also recognised for its mastery of the Carmenere grape. This distinction was solidified by their recent First Growth Achievement awarded by Tim Atkin, a Master of Wine. This accolade places Casa Silva among Chile’s elite wineries, crafting wines of exceptional quality.

Exploring innovation in Argentina

Following their enriching experience in Chile, Kasia and Julie flew over the border into Argentina. Here, they visited another premium winery, Bodegas Bianchi.

Again, this winery was founded by a European, who brought his Old World wine knowledge to the New World. He was Italian Valentin Bianchi, and the winery will celebrate its centenary in a few years’ time.

Situated in San Rafael, Mendoza, Bodegas Bianchi produce an incredible 11 million bottles a year which are exported worldwide. Their barrel room contains 800 French and American oak barrels, and the sparkling wine cellar holds 800,000 bottles!

But blending the old with the new, they use state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to create these innovative and high-quality modern wines.

Here in Mendoza, Kasia and Julie conducted another comprehensive tasting session, right in the heart of where the grapes are grown. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it!

In total they tasted over 60 Argentinian wines. Their goal was to find unique and exciting blends that would delight Saga’s cruise guests, offering wines and flavour profiles they may not have tried before.

A world-class wine list

After making their choices, Kasia and Julie returned back home with their new South American wine list, delighted with their new selections of red, white, rosé and sparkling wines.

Next, they have plans to visit other vineyards in other countries, to keep expanding the offering of international wines served on board Saga’s boutique ocean ships.

All these new selections are coming soon, so guests can choose from a wider variety of wines – both the free-pouring options included in Saga’s all-inclusive offering, plus more premium choices for special occasions.

It’s a dedication to improvement and innovation that ensures every bottle poured on board meets the highest standards of quality and taste. This attention to detail is evident across all aspects of Saga's cruises, from the exquisite cuisine served in the main and speciality restaurants, to the first-class service and spacious balcony cabins.

It's just one of the many reasons why Saga continues to set the standard for all-inclusive luxury on the ocean wave.