Roebuck Estates, one of England’s leading producers of vintage sparkling wine, has been selected as a British Airways Business Class wine partner, becoming one of just four wines chosen to be served on board as part of the airline’s prestigious quarterly rotation programme.
This is the first time that Roebuck Estates has been poured on British Airways’ flights – a move that signals the continued ascent of the Sussex-based estate, which has rapidly grown to become one of the industry’s fastest-growing wine businesses, renowned for its exceptional and multi award-winning vintage sparkling wines, which are today served in some of the world’s most iconic destinations.
Roebuck Estates’ Reserve 2020 is currently being poured for British Airways Business Class customers until the end of March 2026 and is scheduled to return for Q1 2027.
A classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, Roebuck’s Reserve 2020 spends a minimum of three years ageing on its lees, creating a rich texture and decadent complexity. The wine reveals elegant notes of baked apple, ripe apricot and almond, balanced by freshness and precision – hallmarks of England’s cool-climate sparkling style. In addition to its presence in the skies, the Reserve is also available to customers nationwide through Roebuck’s retail partnership with Majestic, bringing award-winning English sparkling wine to an even wider audience.
The partnership with British Airways comes at a pivotal moment for English sparkling wine and demonstrates growing international recognition of the category. English wine remains one of the most on-trend wine sectors globally, with quality, sustainability credentials and provenance resonating strongly with modern consumers. Despite ongoing global economic challenges, the latest industry report from WineGB shows overall sales of English wine increased by 3%, reflecting sustained demand and confidence in the category.
In contrast, Champagne shipments to the UK have fallen by 13%, with Cava experiencing similar declines. English sparkling wine, however, continues to buck the trend, maintaining consistent sales and strengthening its position both domestically and internationally.
Roebuck Estates has experienced particularly strong momentum. In 2025, its sales volumes doubled versus 2024, with this trend continuing into January 2026 – and the British Airways listing marking another significant milestone in this upward trajectory.
“This partnership with British Airways is a powerful endorsement of English sparkling wine and of Roebuck’s commitment to quality,” says Michael Kennedy, CEO of Roebuck Estates, as well as Wine GB Board Director. “To be selected as one of only four wine partners, and to showcase our Roebuck Estates Reserve to travellers from around the world, is a proud moment for our team and for English wine more broadly. It reflects a growing appreciation for the craftsmanship, character and global competitiveness of wines produced on home soil.”
British Airways’ wine programme is renowned for its rigorous selection process, overseen by Masters of Wine and industry experts who blind taste hundreds of wines each year. The inclusion of Roebuck Estates highlights the calibre now being achieved by English producers and the increasing appetite among premium consumers for locally produced alternatives to traditional sparkling regions.
As English sparkling wine continues to gain ground against long-established international competitors, partnerships such as this demonstrate that the category is no longer an emerging curiosity but a serious global contender, increasingly chosen not just for its provenance, but for its excellence.
