As an unabashed Pinot Noir lover living in the Russian River appellation of Sonoma County, California, its with a combination of trepidation and pride that I announce one of the greatest wine cruises we have assembled: A 10-day Mediterranean cruise hosted by the owners of Oregon’s Argyle, Ponzi and ROCO wineries.  Pride because we are offering you a unique opportunity to get to know these fabulous wines and their convivial winery founders. Trepidation because like Robert Parker, I love Burgundian style wines and I know that Oregon wines offer a serious challenge to the wines of my region and to all the world’s Pinot Noirs.

You will be cruising the Mediterranean on Oceania’s 650 passenger ship, Regatta, which is small enough to foster intimacy and superb service, but large enough to have five restaurants, many lounges, a nice pool and large health-club. Oceania Cruises has been rated the third best cruise line in the world, and one of the very best for food and service (which is what’s important to me).The cruise line is a perennial favorite of all our wine club cruises and they are a very demanding audience.

Your cruise will depart from Barcelona, Spain – one of the worlds most exciting cities for food and wine lovers, and you’ll visit such famous wine regions as Bolgheri and Tuscany, Campagna, Cote de Provence and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the island of Santorini, the home of one of Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wineries of the World.

So I invite you to join Dick and Nancy Pozi, founders of Ponzi Vineyards and Rollin Soles the founder and winemaker for Argyle Winery with his wife Corby Stonebraker – founder of ROCO Winery, for an incredible food and wine journey.

Cheers!

Larry Martin
President of Food & Wine Trails
 

 Come cruise the Med with the winemaker that Wine Spectator calls
"one of the most successful - and interesting - winemakers in Oregon"
and has made their Top 100 list SEVEN times.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Personally escorted by Dick & Nancy Ponzi and Rollin & Corby Soles
• Cruise line voted "Best in the World" by Travel + Leisure
• Private parties, special tastings & winemaker's dinner
• Finest cuisine at sea overseen Master Chef Jacques Pépin
• Best value in luxury cruising
• Optional wine & food focused shore excursions exclusive to the group

ABOUT the EXPERT(s)

Dick & Nancy Ponzi
Founders, Ponzi Vineyards

Rollin & Corby Soles
Argyle Winery Founder and
ROCO Winery Owners





Watch a WS video interview
with Rollin Soles

 

INCLUDES

• Shipboard accommodations
• Ocean transportation
• All meals & entertainment on ship
• Onboard Wine Education Program
• Free gratuities worth $270 - $370 per stateroom
• Early bookings receive $182 per person shipboard credit*

*see Prices disclaimer for details.

• $118 per person gov't fees & taxes 
• Airport transfers
• Pre-cruise hotel night offered by cruiseline
• Optional shore tours
• All items of a personal nature

REVIEWS

"The overall trip was beyond expectations.  This was our first trip under the Food and Wine adventure, but it will not be our last." Joe and Carol Truhon (Thiells, NY)

“Thanks for a wonderful experience. We had never been on a cruise before and were a bit skeptical that we would like it. We’re sold on Oceania and HMS Travel...” J. & R. Macho (Mill Valley, CA)

AWARDS and RATINGS

Wine Spectator
93 Pts - Argyle
Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Spirithouse 2008

Wine Spectator
91Pts - Argyle
Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Nuthouse 2009

Wine Spectator
90 Pts - ROCO
Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2009

eRobert Parker
93 Pts - Ponzi
Pinot Noir Abetina Vineyard 2008