HX Expeditions is embarking on a voyage unlike any other, taking a handcrafted barrel of fortified wine from Austria’s renowned Regele Vineyard on a journey around the world.

The adventure began on 6 October 2026, when a barrel of Fortified Zweigelt was brought on board MS Spitsbergen in Hamburg. From there, it is travelling aboard the HX fleet, passed from ship to ship as it sails to the farthest corners of the globe. From Antarctica’s vast white wilderness to the icy beauty of the Arctic, the wine will absorb not only the rhythm of the sea but also the pioneering spirit of HX.

The barrel’s journey will conclude back where it began on 5 May 2027, in Hamburg, when it is unloaded from MS Fridtjof Nansen after circumnavigating the world and crossing both poles. It will then be bottled as a limited anniversary vintage. 

“Exploration has always been about stories worth sharing,” said HX VP Hotel Operations Stefan Engl. “With this traveling barrel, we’re inviting our guests to be part of a living story – one where every horizon crossed leaves its mark on the wine.”

The unveiling of the Fortified Zweigelt Anniversary Vintage in 2027 will mark the culmination of this global journey, offering guests a chance to raise a glass to HX’s anniversary.

Pictured above: Stefan Engele (HX) and Georg Regele (Regele Vineyard).