A French master sommelier will reveal the results of his investigations into the origins of wine discovered on board the wrecked Mary-Celestia, at the Charleston Wine + Food Festival this week.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) said the wine will complete its 150-year journey at the Charleston event, which will take place on Friday, March 6, at 4pm.

“During the height of the Civil War in 1864, a blockade runner ship, the Mary-Celestia, was on her way from Europe to South Carolina via Bermuda. She sank under mysterious circumstances off the coast of Bermuda, but a storm in 2011 revealed one of her secrets. Hidden in her bow lay a personal haul of contraband including a case of fine wine that was incredibly still intact.

“ ‘The rest of the story’ will be revealed as the wine completes its 150-year journey and is delivered to Charleston during the Festival.”

Bermuda’s Custodian of Wrecks, Dr Philippe Rouja, who was on the 2011 dive that recovered the wine, will also make a presentation to festival goers at the $50 per ticket event. This, the BTA stated, will promote “Bermuda’s lure as a world-leading shipwreck dive destination”.

There will be two sold-out Bermuda-focused culinary and cultural heritage events, which the BTA describes as the result of a promotional partnership. “Wine, wreck diving, intrigue and storytelling are on tap at one wine event, while culinary talent, musical entertainment and celebration will be served up at the Sunday Gospel Brunch.” BTA chief sales and marketing officer Victoria Isley was quoted stating: “As foodies from around the world converge on the historic American city, they will savour Bermuda’s flavours and hear about one of the Island’s modern-day treasure hunt stories.

“This type of experiential marketing and storytelling brings the Bermuda experience to life for potential travellers.

“In addition to Bermuda’s underwater heritage, the Island’s culinary legacy will also be on display at the popular Sunday Gospel Brunch.

“The BTA is the sponsor of the brunch, where Bermuda and Charleston chefs will create a family-style feast under the joyful hum of a live gospel choir along with the soulful sounds of Bermuda’s own Joy T Barnum.”

Bermuda’s side of the brunch menu are represented by Michiko Campbell, of Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; Andre Greene, formerly of Greg’s Steakhouse, Karsten Krivenko, of Tribe Road Kitchen and Douglas Sisk, of The Reefs.

The statement said the BTA’s strategy is to strengthen arts and culture tourism in Bermuda, including the island’s shipwreck heritage and culinary traditions. “The Charleston Wine + Food Festival was identified as a strategic opportunity to further these objectives based on a number of factors:

• The profile of visitors to Charleston and Bermuda are aligned, as well as Festival attendees

• Festival attendees hail from Charleston, Atlanta (supporting Delta’s direct service from Atlanta to Bermuda), Charlotte (seasonal American/US Airways), Washington, DC (seasonal American/US Airways) and New York City (multiple airlines)

• The cultural and historical links between Charleston and Bermuda — from the intriguing story of the Mary-Celestia to the Bermuda limestone that helped create the foundation for the city.”

Perfume was also discovered on the same wreck, and has since been recreated and is being sold by Lili Bermuda. The Mary Celestia fragrance, which features citrus, rosewood and amber notes, was found in two intact bottles of perfume embossed Piesse and Lubin London, in the bow of the Mary-Celestia.

For more information go to charlestonwineandfood.com/events/from-deep-below/