The American Institute of Wine & Food, a non-profit organization and public charity, is excited to announce their first National Sponsored Food & Wine Cruise, taking place September 19 to 29, 2013. With the holidays quickly approaching, the culinary cruise is the perfect gift for the food and wine enthusiasts. World-renowned Master Chef, Jacques Pepin, will oversee the entire cuisine and will also be offering culinary demonstrations and lectures throughout the duration of the cruise. The cruise will be personally escorted by AIWF chairman of the board Stu Baldwin, and Lindy Novak with Spottswoode, the top-rated Napa Valley winery, who will also be on board to oversee the wines and host a private tasting and a winemaker’s dinners. The program has been designed by tour operator, Larry Martin’s Food & Wine Trails, rated “Best in the world” by the editors of Conde Nast Traveler for three consecutive years.
The Food & Wine Cruise will depart from Barcelona, Spain and end in Lisbon, Portugal with stops throughout Spain including Mallorca, Ibiza, Gibraltar, Casablanca, and Jerez/Sevilla (Cadiz), among others. The cruise will take place on Oceania Cruise’s new Riviera, a cruise ship specially designed for food and wine lovers. The cruise ship has six “no charge” specialty restaurants, La Reserve, the cruise industry’s first restaurant collaboration with Wine Spectator Magazine, and the Bon Appetit Culinary Center, the industry’s first hands-on culinary school that includes 24 cooking stations. There will be a diverse wine list, guests also have the option to bring wine on board, with members receiving a reduced corkage fee.
Highlights include:
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World-renowned Master Chef and Oceania Cruises’ executive culinary director, Jacques Pepin will be on board; guests will be treated to specially designed signature menus, engaging lectures, culinary demonstrations, and more
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Exclusive vertical tasting of the renowned Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, hosted by Lindy Novak
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A taste of the Finger Lakes wine region with an exclusive vertical tasting of Heart & Hands Wine Co. Barrel Reserve Pinot Noir, hosted by Stu & Harriet Baldwin
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Multi-course Winemaker's Dinner exclusive to the group, expertly paired to wines from Spottswoode portfolio
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Gastronomic delights served in a wide variety of distinctive open-seating restaurants, with signature menus by Master Chef Jacques Pepin – at no additional charge!
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Optional wine and food focused shore tour, exclusive to the group, in the ports of Barcelona, Mallorca, and Seville
In addition to the elements focused on food and wine, there is also be a fitness center and spa on the cruise ship run by Canyon Ranch Spa, the number one healthy-living community in the world.
Conde Nast Traveler rated this upcoming Food & Wine Cruise as one of the Top cruise itineraries in the world for 2013. Guests that book now through December 31, 2012 will receive complimentary prepaid gratuities and a $100 shipboard credit. Book now for preferential pricing and guaranteed accommodations on the website here. For more information, visit http://www.foodandwinetrails.com/AIWF2013.
