Experience Washington's Wine Emergence

Yacht Charter Cruising Along the Lewis & Clark Trail

Wine Charters on the Columbia River

5 to 6 Night Itinerary - Wenatchee, Washington to Portland, Oregon
November - December and March - April

Become modern-day explorers, discovering America's extraordinary and "secret" wine regions in the spectacular setting of the Columbia River Gorge. American Safari Cruises introduces charter opportunities for a select few aboard the 12-guest Safari Spirit. Sample award-winning wine and cruise through history, witnessing the natural beauty and taste of the Pacific Northwest. Charter to celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary, birthday or just to enjoy your passion for highly-rated fine wines amidst one of the USA's most scenic backgrounds. Relax in the comfort of a luxury yacht without the worries of driving.

Located on approximately the same latitude as some of the great French wine regions, the area of the Pacific Northwest's Columbia River valley has become well known and popular with wine enthusiasts from around the world. In the southcentral part of Washington State, the Columbia River Gorge region benefits from the area's moist marine breezes and cool, temperate nights. Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris are classic wines for this area. To the east, the Walla Walla region benefits from a long growing season. This area's wineries are known for their Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Further inland, the exceptional and compact Red Mountain region and adjacent Yakima Valley region receive dry, hot summers and crisp winters, producing a range of varietals that include Chardonnay, Riesling and Merlot.

"Many in the wine industry feel that there aren't any new discoveries in the
United States. I definitely fell into that trap. If you haven't yet discovered the
wines of Washington, now is the time."
- Greg Harrington, MS, Notes from the Floor

A Charter fare of $45,995 for 6-days, 5-nights - Itinerary
This sublime yet exciting cruise/tour through Washington's ideal wine grape growing regions is available on a private charter basis only. The fare for a maximum of 12 guests (6 staterooms) on the 6-day, 5-night itinerary is $45,995. The fare includes all transfers, the pre-cruise resort night at Cave B Inn & Spa with 3 deluxe meals and wine tastings, gourmet meals and premium spirits onboard the Safari Spirit, taxes and port charges, services of a wine escort and 5 other crewmembers, guided transportation and tours at all wineries, cave lunch ashore and visits to a minimum of 7 wineries.

Additional days can be built into the itinerary by our product development team. Please contact our sales staff at sales [at] amsafari.com.

About the Select Wineries...

		Cave B Inn & Spa Cave B Inn & Spa is an Estate Winery located in the hub of Washington Wine Country. Blessed with 300 days of sunshine annually and four distinct seasons, the grounds have varied soils and climatic conditions that provide the perfect conditions for growing a variety of vines, from those traditionally grown in Italy to those traditionally grown much farther north in Germany. The frost-free days on the vineyards vary by as much as 50 days a year. The corresponding difference in temperature allows Cave B Estate Winery to produce small quantities of quality estate wines in over ten varietals. Accommodations: 30 spacious units offering panoramic river, gorge and vineyard views. Room configurations include 15 stand-alone 1- and 2-bedroom cliff houses offering French doors opening onto a terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows, 2-sided fireplaces, four fixture bathrooms with Italian granite and native basalt walls. Cavern lofts feature a balcony and fireplace. All guest rooms feature premium amenities including wireless Internet access and flat screen satellite TV. Additionally, there is an outdoor man-made swimming lake, full-service spa, area golf, hiking, biking, rock climbing, boating and fishing on the Columbia River.

		L’Ecole Nº 41 Winery This family-owned winery is located in a 1915 schoolhouse located in historic Frenchtown, a small community just west of Walla Walla, Washington. Frenchtown derived its name from the many French-Canadians who settled the valley during the early 1800s. Legend has it, these men of French descent were raising grapes and producing wine. By the 1860s, nurseries, vineyards and winemaking had become a part of the region’s growing economy. The name - L'Ecole Nº 41, French for "the school" located in district number 41 - was chosen to salute these pioneer viticulture efforts. The tasting room occupies one of two classrooms, preserving the old schoolhouse character with original chalkboards, light fixtures, fir floors and moldings. Climb the rolling ladder to select a library book to read at the fireplace or sample a Semillon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon at the 100-year-old Baker Boyer Bank check stand.

		Northstar Winery Providing a stunning backdrop, the Blue Mountains frame a valley that is home to the Northstar Winery. Producing world-class wines of exceptional character, Northstar is dedicated to the production of ultra-premium Merlot. Merlot is the best selling red grape variety in America. Merlot-based wines from Bordeaux’s Pomerol region are generally the most expensive and sought-after wines in the world. In fact, Northstar’s winemaking style is more comparable to Bordeaux’s “right bank” than to New World Merlot. Northstar’s Merlot is considered among the world’s best. Their flagship vintage is the Columbia Valley Merlot. Also made is an extremely limited amount of Walla Walla Merlot, showcasing the local area vineyards’ national and international acclaim as one of the great American wine regions.

		Basel Cellars Estate Winery Basel Cellars Estate Winery is in the heart of the Washington's Walla Walla Valley which was named by Sunset Magazine as the "The 2005 Wine Destination of the Year". Basel Cellars produces about 6500 cases per year, with a focus on Bordeaux-style blends, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Basel Cellar’s main building design invokes the spirit of casual grandeur found in venerable American lodges such as Yosemite’s Awahnee Lodge, Mary Colter’s Bright Angel Lodge at the Grand Canyon and Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge. The eclectic combination of handcrafted woodwork, natural stone masonry, an abundance of windows—and incomparable comfort—all celebrate the style and character of the Pacific Northwest.

		Hedges Family Estate Winery The Chateau is framed by the Hedges Estate Vineyard and is surrounded by a beautiful courtyard garden, which boasts a stunning view of the Red Mountain and the Yakima Valley. The Hedges Family Estate Chateau combines old-world European style with modern winemaking technology. Reminiscent of those in the Bordeaux region of France, the lower level of the Chateau houses a fully functioning winery and tasting room, while the upper level is the private residence of founders Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges. A French native, Anne-Marie Hedges influenced much of the design and creation.

		Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard Visitors to Terra Blanca’s Winery and Estate Vineyard will be greeted by a new Tuscan-style facility. Set against a backdrop of lush vineyards and rolling hills, this retreat provides an atmosphere filled with casual elegance. Adjacent to the new, spacious tasting room is a wood-fired oven and demonstration kitchen where fresh bread and other culinary creations are available for guests to enjoy with exceptional wines. Graceful arches frame an outdoor terrace perfect for relaxing in the shade while savoring a bottle of wine and taking in the spectacular view of the lower Yakima Valley. Terra Blanca built Washington State’s first underground barrel storage caves in 1997. A second cave system was completed in 2004 and, in addition to storing wine, houses an estate library and an intimate subterranean dining area.

		Maryhill Winery plus the Maryhill Museum Possibly the most enjoyable part of Maryhill, from a grower's standpoint, is the wide variety of grapes the area will support - including several difficult to grow varietals often stunted in many of the region's other vineyards. The vineyards produce premium red wines, with special attention to Syrah and Sangiovese. Larger vineyards include blocks of Zinfandel, Viognier, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon vines, as well as smaller sections for Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Grenache. Chosen for it's unique micro-climate, the winery's grounds command a sweeping view of the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood while providing the vineyards with unparalleled protection and nourishment for fully ripened harvests. Designed to draw power from the setting rather than impose itself upon it, the winery offers wine tasting amidst scenery that inspires.