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Voyage du Vin
From 13-24 October 2025, explore the wonderful world of wine with this unique Event Voyage on board Queen Victoria – in partnership with Corney & Barrow.
3 min
04 Mar 2025
While spending 11 nights sailing the Mediterranean, exploring the history and legacies of former civilisations, you’ll also be treated to a variety of wine talks, tastings, classes and more – hosted by guest speakers and our own Cunard wine experts. From Palma’s medieval fortress to Cartagena’s Roman ruins, Voyage du Vin on board Queen Victoria promises to not only physically transport you to some of the world’s leading wine-producing countries, but also to treat you to a whole host of events designed to delight all kinds of oenophiles.
To bring real body to the trip, there will be renowned personalities and industry experts on hand, answering questions, making suggestions, and sharing their knowledge, including Peter Sisseck and Will Lyons. We’ve worked with Corney & Barrow, one of the oldest wine merchants in the UK, to curate the voyage as part of a partnership that has spanned over a quarter of a century.
Covering the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and, more recently, Shanghai, Corney & Barrow’s simple mission has remained the same since it began trading in 1780 – to offer the best wines in the world at whatever price level. “Every wine we sell has to be excellent and represent the best in class,” says James Franklin, Head of Merchant Sales at Corney & Barrow. The assortment of wines is constantly sense-checked – from grape blends to wine labels – to keep the range evolving.
This commitment to quality and service extends to longevity, as the merchant is proud to have held Royal Warrants since 1912, the year they were introduced, and to have been granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen.
Being one of the great pioneers of the ethos of exclusivity many years ago, it is something that is very important to Corney & Barrow – and 75% of its wine portfolio is exclusive. “We would rather be a business with a portfolio that is an inch wide and a mile deep, rather than a mile wide and an inch deep,” James says. “It allows for direct contact with the winemakers, enabling us to really understand their wines and their ethos. In turn, the winemakers can really understand our market and what drinkers want. Exclusivity also allows us to have complete visibility of our wines in the marketplace. For example, we know where every bottle is listed and sold, so we can avoid the same wines being listed at neighbouring sites.”
Corney & Barrow is also proud to have supplied an exclusive range of Cunard Private Label Wines on board for over eight years, working with our wine team to make unique blends based on feedback from wine tasters on board. The winemakers also created the four Cunard Cellar Reserve Wines from iconic regions and producers, unveiled at the launch of Queen Anne.
With the launch of Queen Anne, there was the appetite to push the boundaries more, and for the Cellar Reserve wines, which served as an opportunity to work with some exceptional winemakers. These include the Auvigue family from Mâcon in Burgundy, the Zugober Estate in Rioja, and Régine Sumeire, who pioneered the popular modern style of Provence rosé. The Cellar Reserve wines are there to offer the best of the best but within sensible price points.
James Franklin, Head of Merchant Sales at Corney & Barrow
“We take huge pride in the relationship with Cunard and, having worked together for so long, we dedicate a lot of time to understanding the wine requirements – drawing on our wider experience to really think about how the wines work, not just now, but also for future concepts and ideas. We are thankful for the Cunard team’s approach to welcoming these, as it is not as common in the wine trade as you might think. Working very closely with them, we chat with the sommelier teams and guests to hear their feedback and thoughts firsthand, as it is vital the wines reflect the demands on board – especially as wine is becoming more of an experience than ever before.”
With this in mind, we have taken our strong partnership, longstanding success and renowned White Star Service to create Queen Victoria’s varied and unique Voyage du Vin so that you can get a closer look at the wonderful world of wine on board and ashore. While exploring the Iberian Peninsula, why not take the opportunity to embark on a Shore Experience – with a visit to a local vineyard for a taste of their locally produced wine?
Special guests on board
Peter Sisseck
Legendary winemaker, Peter Sisseck, who is the creator of the iconic ‘ Pingus ’ from Sapins Ribera del Duero region, is a profound influence in the wine industry. Sisseck is a celebrated oenologist who is known for creating wines that reflect the terroir and showcase the best characteristics of the grapes. His fascination for wine started at the age of 14 and was inspired by his uncle, the renowned winemaker Peter Vinding, who ignited a lifelong passion and directed his future path into the grapevines.
Join Peter Sisseck on this unique Event Voyage and learn from one of the most respected names in the wine world.
Will Lyons
Described by The Spectator magazine as having one of the finest palates in Britain, Will Lyons is an award-winning wine writer. For more than a decade he has published a weekly column on wine, formerly in The Wall Street Journal and now The Sunday Times. His humorous, informed, down-to-earth writing has been recognised in both the Glenfiddich and Roederer wine writing awards.
Highlights ashore
Sample the very best local flavours with specially-selected Shore Experiences: the perfect pairing to our on board activities on this unique Event Voyage.
Cheese, wine, and white village walk
On this memorable Shore Experience, you'll sample six different cheeses, paired with three locally produced wines. You'll even have the opportunity to try cheesemaking yourself. Savour the taste of El Bosqueño cheese and regional wines, as you stroll the streets of an enchanting Andalusian village.
Discover Mallorcan wine
Immerse yourself in the finest Mallorcan wines at the Bodegas Ramanyáas. This small but mighty winery is equipped with the latest technology and a passion for crafting great wine. Treat your tastebuds to four varieties, and a selection of sobrasada, chorizo, and cheeses.
Galician gardens, castles, and wine tasting
A visit to the Castle of Soutomaior and Pazo de Rubianes Palace is a highlight of this regional wine tasting from Vigo. Sample the Pazo de Rubianes white Albariño in the palace vineyards where it grows, and savour authentic Spanish tapas including empanada and tortilla.
