Cruise the famed waterways of France with Rusty Grape Vineyards
The Viking Longship Freya is identical in size and amenities to the Forseti that Rusty Grape Vineyards has reserved cabins on for a spectacular April of 2016 Bordeaux river cruise whose itinerary will include three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—similar in splendor to the German town of Boppard along the Rhine River shown here. Viking River Cruises
European travel can seem daunting for folks who haven’t ventured across the big pond but going with friends can ease the apprehension and create lifelong memories.
For wine aficionados, vineyard owners of their favorite label may fall into that category after several visits. What better vacation could there be than an international adventure alongside people with a shared passion for fine vino and a little education thrown in?
While the 10-night Spain trip that Richard and Mar Meyerhoefer of Emanar Cellars are escorting customers on in September has been sold out for months, Rusty Grape Vineyards just announced an eight-day Bordeaux river cruise in April of 2016 and it promises to be spectacular.
Battle Ground winery, Rusty Grape Vineyards, has reserved cabins on the Viking Longship Forseti, identical in size and amenities to the one shown here with the beautiful Bavarian town of Passau, Germany in the background. Join owners, Jeremy and Heather Brown, April 9-16, 2016 for a spectacular Bordeaux river cruise. Viking River Cruises.
First off, it’s aboard the Viking Longship Forseti and, for those who’ve never cruised, one of the many benefits is being able to visit a myriad of places and only having to unpack once. The ship itself is intimate with only 95 staterooms as opposed to those massive ocean liners that can accommodate in excess of 3,000 people. Translation: multiple opportunities to take selfies with Rusty Grape owners, Jeremy and Heather Brown!
Dinner in a château in the famed Bordeaux town of Pauillac is just one of the many exciting features of the eight-day Bordeaux river cruise that Rusty Grape owners, Jeremy and Heather, will escort a group on in April of 2016. Viking River Cruises.
Yes, they’ll be there oohing and aahing right along with everyone else as the historic buildings of Bordeaux inspire, the Garonne River soothes, the Château des Ducs d’Épernon in Cadillac impresses, the 17th-century citadel of Blaye stirs the imagination and so much more.
Heather said “I personally am a huge fan of France. I love the language, I love the wine and I love the people. And although we have visited many of Europe’s wine regions, the Bordeaux region is one area we have never been.”
This really is a trip of a lifetime since travelling France’s waterways is arguably the most relaxing way to see a host of picturesque towns dotting the Garonne, Gironde and Dordogne Rivers and this particular itinerary includes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Rusty Grape’s Bordeaux river cruise allows passengers to spend time in the heart of one of the most famed wine regions in the world and be able to sample the cabernet sauvignon-merlot blend that made it so by the unique characteristics found along the Left and Right Banks. Viking River Cruises
I can speak from personal experience that nothing compares to tasting port in its birthplace, a deep and full-bodied rioja in a famed bodega in Haro, the dark berry and leather components of a Brunello di Montalcino in the magical walled city itself, a glass of Crémant d’Alsace at a waterside café in Colmar and a rich and oily pinot gris along Germany’s Romantic Road. This is where the grapes live, where their history begins, and the excitement of knowing that elevates any sojourn to a pilgrimage of sorts.
Rusty Grape’s Bordeaux river cruise allows passengers to spend time in the heart of one of the most famed wine regions in the world and be able to sample the cabernet sauvignon-merlot blend that made it so by the unique characteristics found along the Left and Right Banks. Names like Saint-Émilion, Pauillac, Sauternes and Château Lafite Rothschild leap from the itinerary like a red carpet who’s who list. There’s even an opportunity to travel to Cognac for a pipe and dinner jacket-worthy tasting of this oak-aged brandy that’s sure to surpass expectations sipped in a traditional Cognac house.
One caveat: While travel agent, Lori Nelson, is able to book cabins on this cruise (starting at $2,230) until it’s sold out, there is a substantial ($1,000) airfare savings in booking by August 31st so for all you bargain hunters, don’t say you weren’t warned.
For more information or to book, contact Lori Nelson at lori.nelson@cruiseplanners.com.
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Viki
I am a Clark County native. I am Level 2 WSET (wine and spirit education trust)-certified and enjoy pairing wine with my passion for travel and fondness of food. My most prized possessions are the memories of places I've been with my husband, the chance encounters we've been blessed to have along the way and my carry-on bag. I can often be seen around town and in tasting rooms with our two beautiful, double-Merle Australian shepherds, Challenge and Baby Girl.