Silversea Cruises Announces The Godmother Of Silver Moon: Gaia Gaja, The ‘Queen Of Barbaresco’

(Monaco – February 4, 2020) Hailed by many as the ‘Queen of Barbaresco,’ Gaia Gaja has been named as the Godmother of Silversea’s new ultra-luxury ship Silver Moon. Gaia is of the fifth generation to own and manage the renowned Gaja winery in the small Italian town of Barbaresco—a family-run business and iconic producer of fine Italian wine since 1859. As the ship’s Godmother, Gaia will be honoured with officially naming Silver Moon at a dedicated ceremony in Trieste on August 5, 2020.

From an early age, Gaia was encouraged to take an interest in all aspects of the winemaking process, and even had a wine named in her honour—Gaia & Rey Chardonnay—before she learned to walk. Today, along with her two siblings, Rossana and Giovanni, Gaia is a guardian of her family’s illustrious legacy, which has fostered an internationally acclaimed reputation as a leading producer of fine Italian wines. A knowledgeable purveyor of her craft, elegant, and with an unwavering commitment to exceptional quality, Gaia Gaja embodies the core values of Silversea Cruises. Moreover, the success of the Gaja Winery is predicated on a longstanding synergy between traditional knowledge and pioneering innovation, which stands true for the leading ultra-luxury cruise line.

“I feel great pride and honour to have been selected by Silversea Cruises as the Godmother of the beautiful Silver Moon,” says Gaia Gaja. “I passionately believe that food and drink facilitate profound discovery—into destinations, cultures and people—and that guests will nurture strong connections with amazing destinations as a result of S.A.L.T., the ship’s innovative culinary offering. My own experience with wine making has taught me that culinary discovery possesses limitless potential; here’s to the curious travellers who seek to unlock it.”

Gaia’s deeply-rooted connection with Italian culinary culture makes her the perfect choice for Silver Moon’s Godmother, as Silversea’s pioneering new culinary concept, S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste), will launch with the ship on August 6, 2020.

Adapting with each sailed region, Silver Moon’s S.A.L.T. programme will elevate the role of food and drink as a means to travel deeper into a destination, by showcasing entire ecosystems around the culinary cultures of the world. In the S.A.L.T. Kitchen, the S.A.L.T. Lab, and the S.A.L.T. Bar, guests will develop an appreciation for regional ingredients and culinary customs, before venturing ashore under the guidance of experts to experience food and drink cultures first-hand. As well as foods and flavours, people will define Silversea’s pioneering new culinary programme: culinary experts—like Gaia—from around the world will use storytelling to form meaningful connections between Silversea’s curious guests and the world’s most remarkable places, cultures, and communities.

“Our new S.A.L.T. programme reflects our commitment to engaging with the places we travel through the lens of food, wine and culinary culture,” says Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Silversea’s Executive Chairman. “Given this culinary focus and Silver Moon’s proud Italian heritage, I can’t think of a better Godmother than Gaia Gaja who personifies Italian elegance, innovation and good taste. Like our cruise line, Gaia represents a lineage of excellence rooted in tradition and propelled by a forward-thinking, restless pursuit of innovation. I’m delighted she’ll be involved as Godmother, sharing her family’s vision of great taste as we begin this new journey aboard Silver Moon.”

Find out more information about Silver Moon and view the ship’s scheduled voyages:
https://www.silversea.com/ships/silver-moon.html

Find out more information about Silversea’s new S.A.L.T. programme:
https://www.silversea.com/salt-silver-moon.html

About Silversea
Silversea Cruises, in which Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio serves as Executive Chairman, is recognised as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit and Silver Muse – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, and Silver Cloud, Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both Polar Regions and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of five new ultra-luxury ships: Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Origin, and two Evolution-class ships. Browse Silversea's new blog Discover and subscribe to receive the latest content directly into your inbox.

About the Gaja Winery
The Gaja family tradition has endured since 1859, when Giovanni Gaja founded the winery. Gaia, together with her sister Rossana and her brother Giovanni, is the fifth generation to own and manage Barbaresco's renowned Gaja Winery and the second generation to run Gaja Family Wine Estates, with Ca' Marcanda in Bolgheri and Pieve Santa Restituta in Montalcino. With their reputation as innovators in Italy, the Gajas have spent the last 15 years focusing their attention on studying ways to mitigate the effects of climate change on their vineyards in Piedmont and Tuscany. Gaia Gaja has been travelling the globe as the winery’s International Brand Ambassador and she is involved in every aspect of grape-growing, the winemaking process, and the wine business.

Recent News from Silversea Cruises:

• Silver Moon Touches Water for the First Time in Her Float-Out Ceremony
[Published on August 29, 2019] Silversea’s new ultra-luxury cruise ship, Silver Moon, touches water for the first time at Fincantieri Shipyard in Ancona, Italy. A momentous milestone in the eagerly awaited ship’s build, the float out was marked by a celebratory event and a traditional coin ceremony, held in the presence of top-level representatives from Silversea and Fincantieri, plus VIP guests. Fincantieri will now begin work on Silver Moon’s elegant interior, bringing the ship to the hallmark level of finish that characterises Silversea’s ultra-luxury fleet.

• To the Moon and Beyond: Silversea's New Musical Productions Set to Be Out of this World
The industry-leading ultra-luxury cruise line Silversea unveils a collection of new theatrical performances and entertainment concepts planned for select ships for 2020--each developed in exclusive collaboration with renowned Luna Rossa Productions.

• T-Minus One Year until Launch: Silversea Counts Down to the Arrival of Silver Moon
[Published on August 6, 2019] Today marks one year until the launch of Silver Moon – an elegant new addition to Silversea’s ultra-luxury fleet of ships. Embarking on her inaugural voyage on August 6, 2020, the 596-guest Silver Moon will echo the whispered elegance of the cruise line’s current flagship, Silver Muse, while bringing unprecedented enhancements and elements of innovation.