Start-up Life
Cheers to 100 Years: Maker Wine x United Airlines
Crafted in celebration of United’s 100th year, this French Rhône–style bubbly is crisp, refreshing, and made for high-flying toasts.
By Sarah Hoffman
January 27, 2026
Hi from the Maker gals!
Hi there — we’re Sarah, Kendra, and Zoe, the founders of Maker Wine, a small team passionate about lifting up independent winemakers and making exceptional wine more accessible. Each of our cans comes from a different independent producer we love.
When we started Maker, we believed great wine should travel well — and that independent producers deserved a bigger stage. Being asked by United Airlines to create a custom can celebrating 100 years of flight is one of those moments that reminds us why we started this company in the first place.
As part of United’s centennial celebration, our Brut Bubbles is now served in a limited-edition can — a small but meaningful way to toast a century of flight.
To mark this moment, United partnered with Maker to craft a French Rhône–style sparkling wine designed specifically for the inflight experience — a wine made for celebration, wherever your journey takes you.
We’re so glad you’re here!
A Wine Made for the Journey
Designing a wine for 35,000 feet is its own kind of challenge.
At altitude, our senses change. Aromas soften, acidity matters more, and balance becomes everything. Working closely with winemaker Nicole Walsh, we crafted a sparkling wine that’s bright, refreshing, and elegant in the air — with lively bubbles and a clean, crisp finish that shines both onboard and on the ground.
This wine is:
French Rhône–style in inspiration
Crisp, refreshing, and food-friendly
Made to elevate a toast, wherever it’s poured
Meet the Maker: Nicole Walsh
Behind this sparkling wine is one of our favorite kinds of winemakers: independent, fearless, and deeply connected to place.
Nicole Walsh is a Santa Cruz surfer making big waves in cool-climate wine, growing rare grape varieties in rugged coastal terrain along California’s coast. After working in wine around the world — from Michigan to New Zealand to Santa Cruz — she founded her label, Ser, which means “to express origin” in Spanish.
For this collaboration, Nicole crafted a French Rhône–inspired blend anchored by Chenin Blanc, with Picpoul, Grenache Blanc, and Grüner Veltliner — cool-climate varieties chosen for their natural acidity, freshness, and ability to shine at altitude.
The fruit comes from Certified Sustainable vineyards shaped by fog, ocean air, and long, cool growing seasons. Each variety is hand-picked, fermented separately, and aged on the lees to build texture before being blended with intention.
With notes of ripe yellow apple, grapefruit, and hints of pineapple, the finished wine is vibrant, expressive, and beautifully balanced.
The wine has already earned 92 points and multiple Gold medals in national competitions — a testament to both Nicole’s craft and the quality of the fruit.
Make It a Moment
This sparkling wine is delicious on its own — but it also makes a perfect canvas for a simple celebration.
A few favorite ways to enjoy it:
Classic Mimosa Sparkling wine + fresh orange juice
Grapefruit Spritz Sparkling wine + grapefruit juice + a squeeze of lime
Cranberry Sparkler Sparkling wine + cranberry juice for a festive twist
However you pour it, we hope it becomes part of a memorable moment in your journey.
Why This Moment Matters to Us
For our team, this is one of those pinch-me moments.
When we started Maker Wine, we believed canned wine could be premium, thoughtfully made, and worthy of the same care as any great bottle. Seeing our can served onboard United flights — as part of such a historic milestone — is a powerful reminder of how far that idea has come.
We’re proud to be a female-founded company partnering with an iconic global brand, and grateful to the United team for trusting us with such a meaningful celebration.
Where to Find It
This limited-edition sparkling wine is now boarding on United flights across North America.
If you’re flying with United in the coming weeks, keep an eye out — and raise a glass with us at 35,000 feet.
Shop Brut Bubbles
Dry sparkling white wine with notes of white flowers and tropical fruits.
