Allegiant Makes Aviation History With Altus Sol, the First Wine Ever Crafted for High-Altitude Inflight Drinking in US

Published on December 3, 2025

A new chapter in airline hospitality has been introduced with the launch of Altus Sol by Allegiant, a custom-crafted wine developed in partnership with Sonoma Bespoke, the Napa-based winemaker. Through this collaboration, Allegiant has been positioned as the first airline to introduce a wine designed entirely from the ground up specifically for the inflight environment. This innovation has been presented as a thoughtful enhancement to the passenger experience, marking a notable evolution in how airline beverages are conceptualized and delivered.

Rather than selecting from existing commercial labels, the approach taken with Altus Sol has reflected a purpose-built philosophy. Every stage of development, from grape selection to final bottling, has been guided by the unique sensory conditions experienced at cruising altitude. As a result, the traditional boundaries between aviation and winemaking have been redefined through a product created expressly for the skies.

Wine Designed for the Science of High Altitude

At approximately 30,000 feet, the way flavors are perceived is significantly altered. Cabin pressure and the characteristically dry air inside aircraft cabins are known to dull the senses. Sweetness is often suppressed, aromas become muted, and complexity can be lost even in high-quality wines. These conditions have been scientifically examined by experts including Dr. Robert Pellegrino, postdoctoral fellow at Monell Chemical Senses Center, who has studied how altitude affects taste and smell.

Altus Sol has been developed as a direct response to these physiological effects. By carefully adjusting the structure, aroma profile, and balance of the wines, Napa’s expert winemakers have sought to ensure that flavor remains vivid both on the ground and in the air. The result has been described as a wine that not only withstands the challenges of high altitude but actually performs better under those conditions.

This scientific approach has set Altus Sol apart from traditional airline wine offerings, where selections are typically drawn from existing retail products without modification for inflight consumption.

A Collaborative Process Conducted in the Skies

To achieve the desired performance at altitude, the development process was taken beyond the vineyard and into the air. Allegiant and Sonoma Bespoke representatives conducted tasting sessions aboard a special flight to replicate real cabin conditions as accurately as possible. Through these airborne evaluations, the wines were refined in response to how they were perceived under actual inflight pressure and humidity.

This method ensured that adjustments were based on real sensory feedback rather than theoretical assumptions. The collaboration ultimately produced two distinct wines designed to complement a wide range of palates. A Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted with added depth and distinctive notes of cigar-box aromas. Alongside it, a crisp, fruit-forward Pinot Grigio was developed to deliver freshness and brightness at altitude.

Both wines have received early acclaim. The Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded a rating of 93, while the Pinot Grigio earned a rating of 92 from renowned wine critic Jonathan Cristaldi. These scores have provided early validation of the technical and sensory success of the project.

A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership in Airline Wine

This initiative has been described as a first-of-its-kind partnership for both Allegiant and Sonoma Bespoke. Unlike traditional airline wine programs that typically curate from existing inventories, Altus Sol has been built entirely from scratch. Under the guidance of Sonoma Bespoke Chairman Donny Sebastiani, grape lots were selected specifically for their aromatic qualities and natural sweetness to balance the sensory changes induced by altitude.

Lots described as perfumy and aromatic were prioritized, while grapes with inherent sweetness were chosen to preserve flavor impact in a pressurized cabin environment. From vineyard selection to blending and bottling, each phase was guided by the singular objective of optimizing how flavor is experienced in flight. The wine has therefore been positioned not as a repurposed luxury item, but as a purpose-driven sensory innovation.

Thoughtful Design Behind the Altus Sol Bottle

In addition to the liquid itself, close attention has been paid to the physical presentation of Altus Sol. The wine is offered in a 187mL bottle, a size that has been carefully considered for inflight service and passenger convenience. Even the name has been imbued with symbolic meaning. Altus Sol, translated from Latin as high sun, has been selected as a reference to both the sunburst displayed on Allegiant’s aircraft tail and the golden light that is often seen through airplane windows at cruising altitude.

The bottle design reinforces this symbolism. A sun motif appears in gold foil, while textured labels evoke the artisanal craftsmanship behind the wine’s creation. Visual differentiation has been applied between the two varieties. The Cabernet Sauvignon label features a rich navy tone, while the Pinot Grigio is presented in a warm parchment color, symbolizing the natural transition from day to night during air travel. Through these design elements, visual storytelling has been aligned with the experiential narrative of the wine itself.

Enhancing the Emotional Experience of Travel

The introduction of Altus Sol has been framed as part of a broader effort to make leisure travel more memorable. By integrating a custom-designed wine into the inflight environment, a more immersive and emotionally engaging journey has been created for passengers. Rather than viewing wine as a simple beverage offering, it has been reimagined as a sensory detail capable of influencing mood, anticipation, and the overall perception of the travel experience.

Every element of the product, from vineyard origins to the moment it is poured at altitude, has been crafted with the intention of shaping how travelers feel during their journey. The wine has therefore been positioned as both a functional and emotional enhancement, supporting the idea that even small details can leave a lasting impression on passengers.

Exclusivity and Availability Onboard Allegiant Flights

Altus Sol has been made exclusively available on Allegiant flights, reinforcing its role as a signature inflight experience rather than a retail product. This exclusivity further distinguishes the offering from standard airline beverage selections and strengthens its identity as a defining feature of the Allegiant onboard experience.

Passengers seeking to enjoy this inflight innovation are directed to Allegiant.com, where flight days, times, and the lowest fares are made available. Through direct integration with its core service model, the airline has ensured that Altus Sol remains closely tied to the broader Allegiant brand experience rather than being marketed as a standalone luxury item.

Redefining the Role of Wine in Airline Travel

The launch of Altus Sol represents a broader shift in how inflight amenities are being conceptualized. Rather than focusing solely on cost or convenience, emphasis has been placed on craftsmanship, sensory science, and emotional impact. Wine, traditionally regarded as an ancillary service component, has been elevated into a defining part of the passenger journey.

By investing in a wine created specifically for high-altitude consumption, Allegiant and Sonoma Bespoke have demonstrated how cross-industry collaboration can generate innovation in unexpected spaces. The project has illustrated that inflight hospitality can extend beyond standard offerings and into areas of deliberate sensory design.

As aviation continues to compete on experience as much as on efficiency, innovations such as Altus Sol are likely to influence how future inflight products are developed. Through this initiative, a new benchmark has been introduced for how deeply passenger satisfaction can be shaped through thoughtful product creation.

A Strategic Milestone for Allegiant and Sonoma Bespoke

From vineyards to skies, Altus Sol has been presented as the result of a deliberate and carefully orchestrated process. For Allegiant, the wine symbolizes a strategic investment in differentiated hospitality. For Sonoma Bespoke, the partnership represents a novel application of winemaking expertise in a highly specialized environment.

This first-of-its-kind collaboration has not only delivered a new inflight product but has also expanded the conceptual boundaries of airline service design. As Altus Sol begins to reach passengers across Allegiant’s network, its success will likely be measured not only in sales or ratings, but in the lasting impressions it leaves on travelers.

[Source: PR Newswire; Image Credit: PR Newswire]