Beginning in Q2 2025, Polaris customers will be offered classically styled fine wines from Heitz Cellar and Stony Hill estates as part of a multi-year strategic partnership
Napa Valley, CA – March 27, 2025 – Fine wine importer Demeine Estates and United Airlines are excited to announce a first-of-its-kind strategic alliance partnership that will give customers in United’s Polaris business class the opportunity to experience luxury wines from Lawrence Wine Estates’ renowned Napa Valley portfolio, highlighting selections from legacy wineries Heitz Cellar and Stony Hill on board. This partnership marks United’s first-ever, multi-year wine deal.
Just as Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Stony Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay are flagships for their iconic wineries, United Polaris is the benchmark for excellence for premium cabin travel. This partnership represents both companies’ commitment to top tier hospitality.
“We are excited to embark on this innovative partnership with United Airlines to bring fine wines from Heitz Cellar and Stony Hill to the skies,” said Philana Bouvier, President of Demeine Estates. “We are proud to offer pre-eminent Napa Valley wines of the highest quality from historical, multi-generational estates. This partnership, along with working closely with David Devine and MJDA, with United aligns closely with Demeine Estates’ values and we are thrilled to offer options for travelers to taste and experience Napa Valley history on board.”
Demeine Estates is widely known for representing, importing and marketing some of the world’s finest wines and their portfolio parallels United’s commitment to creating a premium on-board experience for its customers. The partnership with Demeine Estates is reflective of United’s ongoing investment to elevate the airline’s food and beverage offerings.
“United customers expect the absolute best quality, whether that be in terms of service or in-flight offerings—and these wines from Demeine Estates are no exception,” said Aaron McMillan, Managing Director, Hospitality Programs at United Airlines. “It is our hope that the addition of Heitz Cellar and Stony Hill wines to our Polaris offerings will further demonstrate our tireless commitment to making the in-flight experience the best it can be.”
More about the wineries and wines:
- Heitz Cellar: Having played a major role in shaping the history of Napa Valley winemaking, Heitz Cellar’s legacy runs deep. The estate’s dedication to viticulture, stewardship, and timeless post-prohibition style winemaking have ensured the winery’s continued notoriety globally.
- Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: A classically made, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that is a true expression of the breadth of Napa Valley terroir. This wine was ranked #3 on Wine Spectator’s 2021 Top 100 list.
- Stony Hill: With a truly unique terroir and climate within Napa Valley and similar to Burgundy, Stony Hill is considered to be “America’s greatest white wine estate.” The estate vineyards are farmed organically and are cultivated to keep the integrity of the land and winemaking style intact.
- Stony Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay: A true expression of classic Stony Hill Chardonnay, this wine perfectly showcases the mineral, saline cornerstone that has become the stamp of this dynamic vineyard. This wine was also named one of the Top 10 American Wines of 2024 by Decanter.
The expansion of Polaris wine offerings to include Heitz Cellar and Stony Hill is part of United’s holistic wine program overhaul – its largest to date – and ongoing investment in elevating its food and beverage offerings. Since late 2023, the airline has focused on expanding their range of restaurant-quality, premium wine brands as part of their on-board experience.
About Demeine Estates
Demeine Estates is a family-owned importer and marketer of the world’s finest wines based in the heart of Napa Valley, California. A leader in luxury wines in the U.S., Demeine Estates sets the standard in exceptional marketing, fine wine sales, and distribution services. Founded by The Lawrence family and Carlton McCoy Jr., MS, and led by President Philana Bouvier, Demeine Estates curated portfolio consists of both premium family-owned domestic and international producers of exceptional wines anchored by quality viticulture. www.demeineestates.com
About United
At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.
