Taste of Bordeaux – April 2019

11 – 18 April 2019

SOLD OUT. Join Guy and Melody, the owners of “The Melody Lynne Vineyard”, discovering the wines of France’s wine capital Bordeaux. Expand your knowledge of French wine with two informative lectures given by Guy during the cruise.

Bordeaux with its iconic châteaux, timeless vineyards where delicious wine tastings are plentiful as you visit Cadillac, Pauillac, Saint-Émilion, Libourne and Bourg. This trip is a must for anyone interested in the best of French culture, lifestyle, wine and food.

On our cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.

Cruise Details

April 11 – BORDEAUX, FRANCE

EMBARKATION
Welcome to Bordeaux, where you’ll board your luxurious river cruise ship.

April 12 – CADILLAC

Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years. Afterwards, travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Château de Rayne Vigneau or Château Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here.

April 13 – PAUILLAC

Pauillac, a lovely village on the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, is gateway to the famed Médoc region renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Bordeaux wines. You will see some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates, including Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Pichon Longueville. You’ll then visit either Château Gruaud Larose or Château Léoville Poyferré for a tasting of Grand Cru wines.

April 14 – BLAYE – BOURG

Once in Blaye, you can join a tour of its 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside. During the afternoon, you can cruise to Bourg or join a bike tour along Santiago’s path—a famous pilgrimage route—to Bourg. While in the ancient village of Bourg, visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles and then explore the underground passageways that lead you to the immense oil tanks from the Second World War. Later in the day, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival complete with live French music, dancing, wine and hors d’oeuvres.

April 15 – LIBOURNE

Libourne provides a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions, Saint-Émilion, known for its picturesque architecture, monuments and celebrated vineyards. Join an excursion to historic Saint Émilion, and while here, explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock, and then go under the church to discover its catacombs and caves. Afterwards, enjoy a wine tasting at either Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. Prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-Émilion and then to Château Soutard for a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting.

April 16 – LIBOURNE

Tour the magnificent Château Vayres, one of the most prestigious historic buildings of Aquitaine, or spend time discovering the Bastide town of Libourne and then stroll through its colorful open-air market tasting some of the region’s specialties. For a more active exploration of the countryside, enjoy a hike followed by a wine tasting. Later in the day, you will have two options of excursions. Visit Château de Montaigne, a stunning 14th-century castle that was the family residence of philosopher Michel de Montaigne and enjoy a lovely wine tasting. Alternatively, visit Fronsac, where you can taste some of the regional wines at a grand wine cellar.

April 17 – BORDEAUX

The breathtaking capital of the wine world, Bordeaux, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a “City of Art and History.” You’ll have an opportunity to experience much of the rich culture and architecture on a city tour followed by a visit to the Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city’s amazing network of bicycle paths.

April 18 – BORDEAUX

DISEMBARKATION
Your cruise comes to an end as you prepare for your homeward flight.

On Board Inclusions

• SPACIOUS STATEROOMS
  • 7 nights luxury accommodation in an outside stateroom (most with French balconies)
  • Computer for internet access
  • Entertainment-On-Demand in all staterooms featuring free high-speed internet access, movies, a music library and English language TV stations
  • Desk and sitting area
  • Bottled water replenished daily
  AN ARRAY OF AMENITIES
  • Wellness Program with a dedicated Wellness Host leading various exercise classes as well as discussions on healthy eating and relaxation techniques, both on board and on shore.
  • Personalized service from a highly trained Cruise Manager during both cruise and land programs
  • Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Sun deck whirlpool and walking track
  • Fitness room, massage services and hair
  • Main Lounge with panoramic views and bar
  • Daily entertainment including cultural performances
  AWARD-WINNING DINING
  • All onboard dining in a variety of venues
  • Regionally inspired cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients
  • The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant
  • Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
  • La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs exclusive dining experience
  • Unlimited fine wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
  • Unlimited sparkling wine and fresh juice with breakfast
  • Sip & Sail Daily Cocktail Hour with complimentary wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks
  • Tapas, sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
  A WORLD OF EXPLORATION
  • Immersive tours in every destination
  • Gentle, regular, active and late-riser tour options
  • Bike tours and hikes
  • Special Interest Tours
  • Knowledgeable guides
  • Personal headset for easy exploration

About Melody Lynne Vineyard

Guy graduated from Sonoma State University with a MBA in management after moving from his home in Vermont. As part of his internship he worked at Deloach Cellars in Santa Rosa California. While still in grad school he met almost every vineyard manager and winemaker in the four county area selling agricultural equipment to wineries and vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Lake Counties of Northern California. Prior to California after graduating college in Vermont Guy sold beer and wine for a large distributor and taught wine, spirits, beer and bartending/bar management the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier Vermont. Guy got his start farming and worked in the fields as a young boy.

After moving to Washington he and Melody looked for bare land in Oregon and Washington to start their vineyard. In 2009 after some searching he and Melody selected a unique site in the Yakima River Canyon with sweet loess blown soils above the Missoula floods in a cooler than normal location perfect for growing French grapes of Burgundy and Loire. They grow Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc on a 30 acre terrior in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington State.

Guy and Melody are high school sweethearts and he enjoys flying, building hot rods and plays drums.

Pricing Details (per person US$)

To Reserve your space

Send email to: winedivadeb@yahoo.com or call Wine Diva Deb on 206-617-6160.

Deposit of $400/person is required. Final payment is due 20 December 2018.

All reservations based on double occupancy.  Non refundable $200 booking fee will apply to all booking. Travel Insurance highly recommended as well as Personal & Medical Insurance.