Holland America’s Exclusive Sparkling Wine Rated as Excellent by Wine Enthusiast Reviewers

Holland America Line announced its sparkling wine, crafted exclusively for the brand, earned a 90-point rating from Wine Enthusiast, one of the beverage industry’s most respected authorities. The recognition is especially meaningful given Wine Enthusiast’s rigorous blind-tasting process, in which a panel of expert reviewers evaluates more than 25,000 wines annually based solely on aroma, flavor, structure and overall balance. 

“Earning a 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast is a significant achievement, and we are proud to offer a sparkling wine of this caliber, which happens to be our own, to our guests on every cruise,” said Drew Foulk, senior manager of beverage and dining operations and innovation at Holland America Line. “This exceptional rating reflects the wine’s complexity and quality, making it a standout private label wine that is only available on our ships and worth seeking out.” 

This was the first time Holland America Line submitted its own sparkling wine for review — and it stood out. According to Wine Enthusiast, a 90-point score signifies a wine that is “excellent” and “highly recommended,” placing it among the top wines reviewed. 

In its official review, Wine Enthusiast described the Holland America Brut Sparkling Wine as delivering “aromas of apple, saline and a burst of lemon zest.” The wine’s “crisp, clean mouthfeel and zippy acidity” highlight flavors of “white peach, lime zest and rosemary,” making it a refreshing and elegant choice for any celebration. 

The idea for a Holland America Line-branded sparkling wine came about during a Washington Wine Road Trip hosted by the Washington State Wine Commission. It was there where Foulk had the opportunity to tour Four Feathers Wine Services’ state-of-the-art facility and saw the potential for a unique partnership. The goal was to create something celebratory, delicious and versatile — that guests could enjoy during any occasion onboard. 

Holland America Line debuted this sparkling wine — the brand’s first — across its fleet in October 2024 in partnership with Four Feathers Wine Services, and it quickly became a guest favorite. Today, it is the most-served adult beverage across the fleet. 

The wine was created in collaboration with Foulk and the all-woman winemaking team at Four Feathers’ Wine Services — Rebecca De Kleine, Frederique Vion, Casey Cobble and Yaritza Gomez — who brought their expertise and creativity to the blend. De Kleine had a personal muse for the wine: her mother, a loyal Holland America cruiser. The team lovingly referred to the wine as “sparkling for mom,” aiming to craft something both fun and refined that would appeal to a broad range of palates. 

“From the very beginning, this wine was about capturing the spirit of celebration. We set out to create something delicious and approachable — something guests could enjoy throughout their vacation adventures,” said Rebecca De Kleine, general manager at Four Feathers Wine Services. “It was a joy to work with Holland America Line to craft a sparkling wine that reflects both quality and the spirit of celebration. We’re incredibly proud that our sparkling is the number-one wine onboard and excited by this recognition from Wine Enthusiast.” 

Holland America Line’s sparkling wine is available by the glass at all restaurants and bars fleetwide and is featured at key on-board events such as the Captain’s Toast and Mariner Reception. It is also available as part of in-stateroom gift packages by the bottle, offering a luxurious way to mark special moments at sea.