AmaWaterways wine cruises add a unique epicurean dimension to a variety of itineraries at no additional cost. Join one of these wine cruises with a special wine host and be treated to a menu of exclusive wine and culinary experiences designed to delve deeper into the wonderful flavors and tastes of Europe.
European cities transform into majestic winter wonderlands for the holiday season – and we invite you to experience all their splendor with us. In addition to our variety of daily excursions, you will also have the opportunity to visit festive Christmas Markets in select destinations and participate in nostalgic traditions.
Maximize your Christmas experience by embarking at the height of the holiday market season with daily or near-daily visits to Christmas Markets.
Get "just a taste" of the holidays in mid-November or late December with visits to one or two Christmas Markets during your river cruise.
We are pleased to offer guests the opportunity to experience Floriade in 2022 while sailing along the Rhine River and Dutch and Belgian Waterways between April 14 and October 9. Right outside Amsterdam, this rare experience calls for its visitors to “explore, touch and change” as part of their journey into Floriade – which is set to feature stunning gardens, innovative sustainable gardening exhibits, live entertainment, talk shows, souvenirs and food stalls.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Rhône with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Explore the rich history of classical music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2024.
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through four countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
Join Chef Joanne Weir, award-winning cookbook author, restaurant owner and host of PBS television series “Plates & Places” as she hosts a special 7-night Flavors of Burgundy river cruise.
We invite you to join our incredible cruise on the Danube with a Latin Touch, featuring bilingual cruise managers, daily tours with Spanish-speaking guides, Latin-inspired music nights and other distinctive elements.
Based on the overwhelmingly positive response received from the announcement of our first-ever “Soulful Experience” on the Rhône River in 2023, we are delighted to announce four new opportunities for guests to celebrate their heritage and discover Black history and culture along the rivers with us in 2025
Explore the rich history of classical and folkloric music along the Danube River where famous composers lived, worked and performed. Plus, be treated to a variety of live performances on this melodious journey.
Countries Visited: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia
Join award-winning television host and travel expert, Samantha Brown, Godmother of AmaMagna, as we cruise through five countries along the Danube River. Special events and Travel Talks are included on this exclusive sailing.
We invite our loyal past guests to join us once again on these special Loyalty Cruises, offering unique experiences in multiple ports, commemorative gifts, and many more surprises and delights.
Imagine if there was a way to combine luxury river cruising on the iconic Danube with the opportunity to indulge your passion and play golf. We have created the perfect package to enable you to do just that with our Exclusive Concierge Golf Program. Discover Europe, complete with award winning cuisine, incredible service and a choice of excursions in every port, as well as up to 5 rounds of golf at some of the leading championship courses on the continent.
AmaWaterways’ Exclusive Concierge Golf Program is available on select Magna on the Danube cruises sailing aboard the AmaMagna.
Hello! "I'm Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of AmaWaterways and I'm passionate about river cruising. Each month, I love to share with you my thoughts, personal stories, travel tips and latest news on the people and places that help turn every mile of our guests' river cruise experience into one of their most cherished memories!"
One of the most wonderful aspects of our Celebration of Wine River Cruises is the opportunity to sail with an experienced wine expert. Their refined palates will allow your clients to swirl their glass and discover the unique notes of each varietal they sip, gain pairing recommendations and get answers to their questions about viticulture and more. Our Wine Hosts proudly bring bottles from either their winery or their favorite winery to conduct tastings and stimulate discussions on board. Most often sailing with members of their wine club, these hosts focus on highlighting the growing conditions and production techniques that create the unique characteristics of their wines as well as the differences between their bottles and those of the Old-World regions we sail through.
Steve and Caryn Arrowood, owners and winemakers of Montemar, started making wine in their garage in 1991, sourcing fruit from Santa Barbara County to Napa and making upwards of 14 barrels a year. As Garagistes, the activity was a friends and family experience. After Steve retired from a career in aerospace, his continued passion for winemaking led to creating a bonded winery in 2009. In 2012, production was increased to sufficient volume for a tasting room. The tasting room opened in 2013 and the Montemar winery was built in time to harvest the 2015 fruit. Both the tasting room and winery are located in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Montemar currently produces 1,400 cases/year, averaging less than 100 cases per lot with many small-lot bottlings available exclusively to wine club members. Sadly, Steve passed away in early 2020 but not without passing on his winemaking passion to their son, Kyle. Caryn and Kyle are dedicated to carrying on Steve’s vision for the winery and his trademark high-quality, small-lot production.
Brad Beard is the charismatic but down-to-earth force that drives Mercury Wine. A self-taught winemaker, Beard learned the wine trade in Arizona, starting in high end restaurants, then made the leap to wine sales and distribution. He then moved to California to fulfill his winemaking dream.
Mercury Wine was founded in 2008 in the sleepy little town of Geyserville, located in the northern reaches of Sonoma County, nestled in the heart of Alexander Valley. The downtown district on Geyserville Avenue runs a mere 2 blocks, but boasts three world class restaurants along with Mercury’s tasting room.
Brad’s winemaking philosophy is to bring the style and elegance of European wines, blended with the world’s best grapes; occasionally shredding all the rules to put his personal and unique touch on his unruly American winemaking.
Brad lives in Geyserville with his husband Danny & winery dog Freddie.
Since graduating from UC Davis in 1980, Jeff Runquist has been the winemaker at Montevina Wines in Amador County, Napa Valley Cooperative in St Helena, and the J. Lohr Winery in San Jose and Paso Robles. In 1996, Jeff designed and helped construct the McManis Family Vineyards in Ripon then launched his brand in 1997. Jeff’s dream was to move back to Amador County and open his own tasting room and that dream came true in 2008. From the 2012 vintage, Jeff offered twenty-nine different wines from twenty different varietals ranging from Barbera to Touriga. Depending upon the varietal, Jeff teams with twenty-four different growers from throughout California, pairing the particular grape varietal with a specific vineyard site. All but four of his wines carry a vineyard designation and the name of the grower. A close relationship with growers and a respect for their fruit is revealed in every bottle of Runquist wine.
Jody is a 3rd generation winegrower who, along with her brothers, currently manages the day to day operations of Bogle Vineyards & Winery in California. Born and raised on the family farm in Clarksburg, Jody knows all about being a “farmer’s daughter.” She spent many a summer in her youth tying, weeding and pruning vines on the 1500 acres her family farms in the Sacramento River Delta. After earning an English degree and spending some time away as a teacher, Jody returned to the family business in 1997 after the death of her father, Chris Bogle, who along with her grandfather Warren, founded the winery in 1968. Upon returning, Jody began overseeing the newly opened tasting room, where today over 600 guests visit weekly. She has developed several departments at Bogle, including direct-to-consumer marketing, events and hospitality, as well as the extremely popular Bandwagon wine club. Jody also currently manages the international sales of Bogle wines in 40 different countries as well as working in various sales support roles across the domestic U.S.
Northwest Michigan is fast becoming recognized for its excellent opportunities for growing grapes. The “lake effect” climate enables the growth of classic vinifera grape varieties, including Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and more. Since 1998, Black Star Farms has been producing wines from local vineyards that are consciously crafted from vine to bottle. Grapes are sourced from their proprietor’s vineyards and local grower partners on the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas AVAs. Because of Black Star Farms’ commitment to preservation, 130 of their 170 acres of vineyards have been protected from development.
In their 20th year, they were honored with the most prestigious award at the 19th Annual Canberra International Riesling Challenge – Best Wine of the Challenge! The 2017 Arcturos Dry Riesling scored 98 points and was awarded “Best in Show,” in addition to taking home Best Dry Riesling and Best American Riesling. All six Rieslings they submitted received medals, showing a consistent quality across vintages and styles.
Kimberly is a Certified Specialist in Wine with over 16 years in the Michigan wine industry. She travels the state promoting Michigan wine at restaurants, trade tastings, festivals, and other wine-themed events. At Black Star Farms, she hosts wine tours and other curated wine and food experiences. She believes every bottle tells a story, and she loves sharing her passion and knowledge of the Black Star Farms story with enthusiasts and novices alike.
Reynvaan Family Vineyards is a small family winery that was formed in 2005. Beginning with their two estate vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA, "In the Rocks" (2005, 26 acres) and "Foothills in the Sun" (2008, 14 acres), Reynvaan Family Vineyards produces distinct and authentic wines grounded in very traditional techniques. Almost everything they do is by hand, carefully farming organically, planting each vine in the vineyards, trellising, pruning, dropping fruit then picking and sorting the berries at harvest. Each vintage, the wines evolve in the winery with as little interference as possible, fermenting solely with native yeast, aged exclusively in French oak, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Each of their wines are highly acclaimed small vineyard, small lot bottlings from a unique, world-class terroir that combine a sense of place, power and elegance.
Mary Joli is the SE Regional Sales Manager with Willamette Valley Vineyards in Oregon’s verdant Willamette Valley. Mary brings with her a wealth of wine knowledge and experience from 20 years in the Oregon wine industry, starting in wine shops specializing in Oregon Pinots, and later with several small production Oregon wineries. Mary has managed tasting rooms and hosted special events and vineyard weddings. The last 14 years Mary has worked for Willamette Valley Vineyards on the National Sales Team managing Distributor relations in 8 states across the south US and travels throughout Europe hosting riverboat cruises for Ama Waterways.
As a TWA international flight attendant Mary traveled extensively throughout Europe where she first discovered the joy of drinking elegant old world wines. Over a four year period Mary tasted her way across Europe and developed a palate and passion for wine. After settling down and raising a family Mary returned to the workforce to pursue her passion for wines, of traveling and meeting new people, working with Willamette Valley Vineyards has enabled her to live her dreams.
At home in Oregon Mary enjoys hiking, organic gardening and kayaking on the Willamette River. She actively enjoys Oregon’s endless forests, snowy mountains, rugged coastline and, of course, its elegant wines!
When founders Billy and Stacey Dim got married, they merged their passions, winemaking, wine drinking and all things Summer, to create Summer Somewhere Wines, a natural, organic, and sustainable wine company. Billy has over 16 years' experience in the wine industry acting as a principal in winemaking, production, operations, management, and sales. He is an accomplished Winemaker & Sommelier, which led him to develop his innovative wine platform, Blendtique in 2012. Dim has managed reputable wine and restaurant programs and is currently CEO and Winemaker of both Blendtique Wine Company and Summer Somewhere Wines. Summer Somewhere hand-selects fruit from some of the most coveted Organic, Biodynamic and Sustainably farmed Vineyard sites throughout Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast. These exceptional sites advocate natural growing practices and factor in soil, topography, and climate to elevate the quality of fruit. As a result, the Winemaking methodology is to be as natural as possible. All fruit for the Summer Somewhere program is grown and picked true to be the best expression of variety, style, or blend. Dim and his team are thoughtfully minimalist when it comes to production, advocating for high quality, small batch selections which means sustainable sourcing, zero additives, organic grapes and keeping the wines as clean as possible for you.
David Mounts spent his life growing up in the vineyards under the watchful eye of his father Richard. He knew the farming life well. After graduating in 1998 from Fresno State University with a degree in Viticulture, David went on to work in the vineyard industry. He spent his first six years with Sonoma-Cutrer Winery and Vineyards developing his vineyard skills and learning quality through sacrifice, such as cropping a vine for quality not quantity. David then moved on to manage multiple vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley. This is where he refined his vineyard practice to grow the highest level of quality fruit as well as gain exposure to winemaking at its finest. With a developing palate for high quality wines, David wanted to apply what he’d learned over the years to his own family’s vineyard. The outside experience gave David the confidence and desire to showcase the grapes and vineyards he knew so well, through the expression of wine.
Perched in the remote Gavilan Mountain range, 1,800 feet above California’s Salinas Valley, this rugged vineyard sits at the base of an extinct volcano bordering the Pinnacles National Park. Chalone Vineyard is one of the few wineries in the U.S. growing grapes in limestone-based soils, the same as in Burgundy. The spare, well-drained ground, limited rainfall, and low crop levels attracted Dick Graff, who wanted to make top-flight Burgundian-styled Chardonnay. Graff made his first vintage under the Chalone Vineyard label in 1966, producing what became a benchmark for California Chardonnay. Current winemaker, Greg Freeman’s expansive background combines long-standing interests in art and science with twenty years of Monterey County winemaking. Freeman’s official wine career began in the lab at Hahn Winery in 2003. Greg quickly progressed to Winemaker and was involved with multiple brands, working closely with Nicholas Hahn and Paul Clifton, Director of Winemaking at Hahn. Since 2017, Greg has held positions as Winemaker for Georis/Cowgirl Winery in Carmel Valley, California and Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas. He joined Chalone Vineyard in2021, bringing two decades of Monterey winemaking to bear as he writes the latest chapter in the winery’s storied history.
Sommelier, wine writer and international wine judge, Roxanne Langer has tipped her glass around the world looking for the best wines, Champagnes, Cognacs, and Whiskeys. She has held executive management positions for Napa Valley wineries, international winery associations and even a cult winery located in the tawny hills of Bel Air, Los Angeles. Frequently a guest wine speaker for wine festivals (including EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival) to cruise ships, Langer has co-authored, “Churchill, A Drinking Life: Champagne, Cognac and Cocktails” (Skyhorse Publishing NYC). Langer has also penned several articles for the Somm Journal, The Tasting Panel, Wine Geographic and numerous newspapers and wine blogs. In addition, as a wine expert she has been quoted in more than 10 national books.
As the co-founder of LadySomm, a wine edutainment and experience company located in Carmel-By-The-Sea, Langer provides wine programs to corporations, associations, universities and C-suite executives in the US and Europe. A two-time graduate of the University of the Pacific (B.A & M.A.) Langer wrote her master’s thesis on wine. She attended the University of California at Davis Community Education Program in Viticulture and Enology and has studied under WSET in the UK, US Somm and is a somm-certification adjunct professor. Langer has traveled extensively through 40 countries focusing mainly on wine regions.
In addition, Langer serves as Vice Enchansson for the Los Angeles Chapter of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, is a board member for Les Dames d'Escoffier International- Monterey Chapter, is a member of Women of the Vine & Spirits, Women for WineSense (past Sacramento president), CMO Club (Chief Marketing Officers), American Institute of Food and Wine, and Women in Wine, Monterey, CA.
Lynfred wines are created by Chilean-born winemakers Andres Basso and Rodrigo Gonzalez. As an urban winery, our winemakers source the best fruit from vineyards in Washington, California, Illinois, Michigan, and Chile. Lynfred believes in gentle processing and minimal handling and procedures. Ultimately, the best fruit, cared for under the best conditions in the cellar transforms into a supreme delight when processed, aged, and blended in their signature style and is unique to the Midwest. No other winery in the region can boast the variety of wines made in-house that Lynfred offers under Andres’ and Rodrigo’s tutelage.
Following their dreams, three friends came together, Gina, Cat and Flint; full of talent, ideas, and the passion to create exceptional wines. At Wit Cellars, we are committed to artfully crafting outstanding wines, which respect the elegance of each region, and the talents of each wine grower. Our experienced, knowledgeable, and committed winemakers, Flint Nelson and Cat Warwick, along with the WIT team create exceptional wines for those whom we have touched, and those whom we have yet to touch. We accomplish this by blending our individual strengths and talents. In doing so, we foster a fun, positive atmosphere that supports our principles and culminates in a healthy, happy life style. WIT speaks to thoughtful, meaningful interactions with friends, a lightness of mood, and certain elegance of style–which is the spirit of WIT Cellars.
Even before Lorraine traveled to Germany and Alsace, she was passionate about their wines. This cruise will be a great opportunity for her to share her love of their wines as well as wines from her home base, the internationally acclaimed Finger Lakes, NY wine region. After specializing in wine for years in both the wholesale and retail markets, Lorraine began teaching beverage courses at RIT. She hopes that each student that takes her classes finds wine less mysterious and gets “bit by the bug” like she experienced.
Lorraine is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Through the Society of Wine Educators, she became a Certified Wine Educator and Certified Specialist of Spirits. She was elected again to their Board of Directors in 2022. As an American Wine Society Certified Wine Judge, she teaches and assists on their education programs. Lorraine judges at and has chaired domestic and international amateur and commercial wine and spirits competitions. She has the Wine and Spirit Education Trust Level 3 and teaches their courses. She also helped start the local chapter of Women for Winesense and received the WWS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
Bill Redelmeier is the driving force behind Southbrook Vineyards, Canada's largest organic winery. With a deep passion for both wine and the environment, Bill has revolutionized the wine industry in Canada by prioritizing sustainability and organic practices. Bill's journey began with a simple dream: to produce exceptional wines that are not only rich in flavor but also gentle on the earth. Recognizing the importance of organic farming and its positive impact on both the quality of wine and the environment, Bill made a bold decision to focus on organic viticulture from the very beginning. Today, the winery spans impressive vineyards, capturing the essence of Ontario's fertile land, and showcases an extensive range of wines, all of which are certified organic. By prioritizing organic practices, Bill has become a trailblazer in Canada's wine industry. He has shown that it is possible to create exceptional wines while being environmentally conscious, without compromising on taste or quality. In doing so, Bill has set the standard for sustainability in wine-making throughout the country.
Eric Replogle is the son of Lanny and Fran Replogle, who started Fenestra Winery in 1976. Fenestra is located in a historic building which was built in 1889. Fenestra is one of the oldest wineries in Livermore, and one of a few that is still family run.
Eric grew up in the winery business and has been an integral part of Fenestra for the past 47 years. In addition to working at the winery, he holds a Ph.D. in Theoretical Chemistry and is an attorney. Most importantly, he is the keeper of the stories about the early days of the Livermore Valley Wine Region and Fenestra!
Robin, his wife, has been involved in the winery since before they were married in 1999. She currently holds the position of Event Coordinator and Board Member of Fenestra. Robin’s mother was from France and her love of all things French runs deep in her veins. She and Eric have a great love of history, wine and food, and exploration.
In addition, Eric and Robin are passionate about wine and food pairings and often prepare menus for private wine events at the winery.
Before the vineyard and winery, Stephen and Gloria Reustle owned a successful marketing company that taught them the value of providing “world-class” product to a loyal customer base. Upon arriving in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon, Stephen carefully mapped out 40 acres of vineyards to be planted. Each variety, clone, and rootstock was carefully selected to match the diverse hillside soil and unique micro-climates. Using only fruit grown from the estate’s Prayer Rock and Romancing Rock Vineyards, winemaking is kept to small lots preserving the distinctiveness of each varietal and clone. Stephen became the award-winning pioneer of U.S. Gruner Veltliner, and since 2009, Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards has garnered 18 “Best of Class,” 7 “Double Platinum,” 17 “Platinum,” 38 “Double Gold,” and 99 “Gold” Medals across 10 different varietals. And yes, there really is a “Prayer Rock” at the vineyard -- at the top of the south-facing slope is a large rock that was the meeting place for Stephen and his son in the mornings to pray to God for blessing over their vineyard. Not only did this family practice establish the name of the vineyard, but it has kept the Reustle’s very busy. Since then, they have bottled 5,000 - 8,000 cases of wine annually, selling out every year.
Long Cellars is a boutique winery in Woodinville, Washington that has been evolving for over 16 years. Jason became involved in the wine industry in 2008 when he began assisting several Woodinville wineries. Working with them taught Jason how to appreciate, make, and sell wine while simultaneously incorporating fun and laughter. In 2009, Jason produced his first vintage of wine and has never looked back. The primary mission at Long Cellars is to produce fine wines using Bordeaux varietals from some of the most reputable vineyards in Washington. There is also an underlying mission – incorporating a fun and comfortable social setting, which is why the slogan “connecting good people with fine wine” is part of the winery.
Currently, Jason is sourcing fruit from two of the most notable A.V.A.s in the state: Red Mountain and Yakima Valley. Over the years, Jason has focused on producing single varietal and blended wines using all 6 red Bordeaux varietals. Between the Washington state terroir and Jason’s careful and unique winemaking style, Long Cellars wine exudes a classic and powerful New World style. This journey has led to 25 wines receiving a score of 90 or more points.
Both born and raised in North Dakota with rich farming backgrounds, Les and Sharon have long had a dream of getting back to their roots and owning a vineyard in beautiful El Dorado County and the Fair Play AVA.
Upon retiring from a 38-year career in the insurance industry, Les has made his vineyard owning dreams a reality and takes his many years of experience in nurturing people to now nurturing grape vines. As they say, "you can take the boy out of the country, but not the country out of the boy".
With a hospitality background and a caring and nurturing personality, Sharon is the perfect host and representative for our brand and wines made from the heart.
Together, Les and Sharon are creating exclusive wines with extraordinary winemaking practices seldom employed by wineries in the Sierra Foothills, and even in California.
For over 165 years, the Young family have lived on and farmed their ranch in Sonoma County, becoming one of the largest family-owned growers of premium wines in Alexander Valley. Since 1997, the family have offered small lot Estate wines under the Robert Young name – big, lush Chardonnays, sublime Bordeaux Blends and powerful 100% Cabernet Sauvignons. Today, visitors to the winery in Alexander Valley are welcomed as members of the extended family and invited to experience the beauty of the vineyard ranch and the wines inspired by Robert Young. Join us as we explore the beauty of the Seine River from Paris to Normandy on this magical cruise beginning October 31, 2024.
He was twenty years in the Air Force, flying a dozen different aircraft, advancing to flight examiner and maintenance test pilot, along with combat experience. These adventures instilled in Jerold O’Brien the values of hard work, determination, and attention to detail that have guided him in crafting wines acclaimed for their complexity and excellence. For the past 45 years, Jerold and his team have created delectable Chardonnays, award-winning Pinot Noirs, and Bordeaux blends that are tantamount to French wines. Eight miles from the ocean and 2100 feet elevation in the Santa Cruz Mountains the vineyards bask in sunshine during the day and the cool of the evening. In tune with Mother Earth, Silver Mountain is a sustainable wine-making endeavor that boasts the largest solar array in the mountains, a water catchment system to supply the winery and vineyards, an artificial cave atmosphere for the barrels, and a gravity-fed procedure allowing for the gentle movement of the wine. Following his first vintage of 1979, his vines were certified organic in 1980. Long before “organic” became a movement. Jerold O’Brien’s knowledge and understanding of viticulture, enology, history, and the impact the Old World has had on California wine-making practices make him a fascinating wine host to learn from, to listen to, to engage in conversation. And with whom to enjoy some memorable vino.
Although officially the winemaker at Peterson only since 2006, the joke is Jamie has 43 years of experience in the winemaking life. Jamie was born at Mount Eden Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1981, where father Fred was winemaker from 1979 to 1983, and was raised in the cellar and vineyards there. After the family moved to Dry Creek Valley outside of the town of Healdsburg in 1983, Peterson Winery grew out of the vineyards that his father managed and took him to visit in his youth.
Prior to joining the family winery as assistant in 2002, he worked harvests abroad in both Australia and New Zealand. As Peterson’s winemaker, he follows the same winemaking philosophy and commitment to wines with an honest sense of place that his father has always practiced, while updating a few of the finer points in the process. When not in the winery or vineyards, Jamie can be found hiking, spending time with his two children, playing or watching baseball, trying new recipes, or working in his garden.
Teneral Cellars, founded in Northern California, is a women-owned and operated producer of sustainable, phenomenal wines, harnessing the power of business for good. Exceptional wine is the catalyst for connection, crucial conversations, and investments toward an equitable future for all women.
Jill Osur, is CEO and founder of Teneral Cellars, and previous co-founder and director of California-based winery group GL Enterprises. Teneral Cellars is driven by Jill’s belief that wine can be a conduit for change, a force for gender equity and social justice within the wine industry and our culture at large. Jill is a captivating public speaker who has been described as a “firecracker in the room” with her energizing, moving presence.
As veterans of the wine industry, Jill, along with Teneral Cellars, is the first to disrupt it by creating a business that intentionally reflects the wine industry’s largest consumer: women.
Named for Michelle’s Grandparents, the Seebass family purchased 96 acre in Mendocino County between the Russian River and the Mayacama mountain range in 1988. Her family emigrated from Germany and the family wine palate is distinctly European – clean, subtle, food-friendly and approachable with premier, estate-grown California fruit. This vineyard has been the focus of Michelle’s family for most of her life, and over the last decade they’ve been immersed in crafting their world-class family wines to a larger audience. Although technology and legal careers in San Francisco took her to the big City, Michelle’s heart was in the family business and gave her an excellent basis to transition running the winery day-to-day operations. For over ten years, Michelle has personally overseen operations and welcomed guests to their beautiful Tasting Room in Boonville, California, in the heart of Anderson Valley, where Seebass wines made countless new friends with their hospitality and quality of their award-winning wines. Together with her husband Scott, who also transitioned from a technology marketing career in San Francisco, they’ve spent the last 25 years creating a family winemaking business that now looks to broaden to securing imports from tiny producers like themselves from around the world. Fluent in German and Spanish, Michelle and Scott spend weeks throughout Europe, South America and beyond meeting other small family wineries to bring small-lots vintages that match their palate for the Wine Club members. We look forward to sharing our history and family stories and winemaking adventures with Ama Waterways guests in November 2024 on the glorious Rhein! Prost!
Bryn Mawr Vineyards David Lauer, VP of Sales & Marketing, has been a part of the family business since 2014. After working his summers in the vineyard and the then-basement cellar alongside his dad and their winemaker, Rachel, he joined the winery full-time upon graduating college. He’s engaged in nearly every aspect of operations at Bryn Mawr during its meteoric growth, filling in any gaps that have arisen as they’ve developed into a premier operation. Through wearing many hats from forklift driver to DTC Sales Manager to VP of Sales & Marketing, he’s developed a comprehensive understanding of the wine industry from grape to glass. He utilizes his years of experience in the wine industry to communicate Bryn Mawr’s efforts to make terroir-drive wines using regenerative farming practices with an undeniably infectious passion.
Krista Lauer, VP of Hospitality, rejoined the family business in 2022. After spending summers in the Tasting Room while at Willamette University, she ventured to Denver to get her M.A. in Art History. After spending 6 years at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, working her way through the Visitor Services and Exhibitions departments, she found herself wanting to be part of something greater: her family’s legacy. Upon her return to Bryn Mawr, she’s focused on the Tasting Room and events, streamlining procedures, improving lines of communication, and brainstorming new opportunities for engagement. With a unique perspective, a flair for the dramatic, and clear vision, she is excited to build upon the legacy of superb Hospitality that gives us pride.
Christine has a story to tell. She and her husband, Dennis, purchased 100 acres high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in 1999 that was to one day be their retirement retreat after they sold their veterinary practice in Virginia Beach. But before they had a chance to even consider retirement, serendipity stepped in, and soon, up at 1800 ft elevation where the air is cool and the earth, rocky and steep, they were planting a small family vineyard of Pinot Noir, a grape that was determined impossible to grow successfully in the humid, hot Mid-Atlantic climate. This unexpected journey brought their son, Nathan, back to Virginia from Denver to learn winemaking and he would soon produce one of the finest pinot noirs on the East Coast. Their Pinot Noir has been recognized as a “Top Ten Hot Brand 2017” by Wine Business Monthly, and Ankida Ridge was the only East Coast producer invited to Oregon’s prestigious International Pinot Noir Celebration 2016. They are listed in Food & Wine as one of Virginia’s Top 10 Vineyards and have received numerous high ratings from James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast.
Christine loves to share her passion for high-elevation viticulture, the importance of matching grape variety to place and for maintaining respect for the environment. Their panoramic vineyard and sheep farm sits high above the valleys and distant cities and has been cited as having one of the most beautiful vineyard views on the East Coast. “Ankida” is an ancient Sumerian word meaning “Where heaven and earth join.” Christine embraces the connection between people, good food and wine and the conviviality that goes with it all. She hopes you will join her on this cruise so she can share with you their serendipitous story and learn about grape-growing in various regions of the world. She invites attendees to journey to beautiful Virginia wine country and experience for yourself the beauty, tranquility and fine wines of Ankida Ridge. And there is now no retirement in their future!
Prior to starting the journey into the world of grape growing and wine making, Kathy and her late husband Gary owned and operated a community pharmacy for over 20 years. In 1995, they relocated to Johnson City, Texas and bought land for the vineyard and winery. Always a lover of wine, Kathy's background in pharmacy involved studies in organic and biochemistry which made for a natural progression into being a part of the art and chemistry of wine making. As one of the first wineries in the Texas Hill Country, Texas Hills Vineyard matched the climate to the grape varietals by planting Pinot Grigio, Syrah and Sangiovee in the vineyard. Receiving recognition for their Pinot Grigio in 1997 and followed with many more accolades including winning a Gold medal for his Kick Butt Cab at an International Double Blind wine tasting competition. The Texas Hills Vineyard philosophy for making wine is: “Make wine that tastes good, not just follow what others are doing, follow your own sense of quality and good taste”. This philosophy is reflected in their motto: “Wine to Share With Friends”. Kathy looks forward to sharing their award-winning Texas Hill Country wines and making new friends on this cruise.
Sarah and Brice Garrett are the owners and husband/wife winemaking team of Serrano Wine, a small, luxury wine brand located in Hye, Texas. They started from the ground up, with no formal education in viticulture or enology. For the next few years, they completely immersed themselves in the wine world. They traveled to France and Italy and met with winemakers across those regions, they read hundreds of books, they watched documentaries, they tasted every wine that they came in contact with to expand their palate and refine their own winemaking style. They hustled and started to really see growth! Their brand began with a strong social media presence and eventually a tasting room in downtown Paso Robles. They knew they had so much more of their story to write, but Paso Robles was pretty well established, and they wanted to be in an up-and-coming wine region where they could be part of the growth, a place where they could contribute and have some sort of positive impact. Texas was the first wine region they looked at outside of California, and after visiting, they decided they didn’t need to look anywhere else. This is where they wanted to be! The region was full of warm hospitality, a booming, yet still growing, wine scene, and a strong sense of community. This was where they wanted to expand Serrano.
Frederick Frank is president of Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, a position he has held since 1993. After graduating from Cornell University, Fred worked for Banfi Vintners in sales from 1979 to 1982, before attending Geisenheim Research Institute for Viticulture and Enology in West Germany in 1982-1983. He was managing director of Old Brookville Vineyard at Banfi from 1984 to 1993.
Under Fred’s leadership the winery’s production and number of honors received has increased greatly, with Dr. Frank’s Riesling poured on numerous occasions in the White House. Wines from Dr. Frank’s winery are now available in over 30 states, making them among the most visible and well-known produced in New York State. The winery draws 70,000 visitors each year, providing a considerable boost for the local economy.
Fred, the winery, and its wines have been featured in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Wine & Spirits Magazine, New York Times, The Washington Post, Wine Enthusiast and more. Daughter Meaghan Frank is the winery’s General Manager. Fred enjoys his time working together with Meaghan to continue the winery’s vision and consistent delivery of excellence.
Sean O’Keefe was raised in a winemaking family on Old Mission Peninsula. His father, and founder of Chateau Grand Traverse, Ed O’Keefe, planted his first vineyards in 1974. Sean studied German Literature at University of Michigan, before going to Germany to study wine making. Afterwards, he did an apprenticeship and went to Geisenheim in Rheingau. Featuring one of the main oenology schools, great professors, and even more importantly great people, Geisenheim was an inspiration to Sean, immersing him in generational wine history. He often jokingly refers to it as the Hogwarts of Riesling.
He then returned home to launch an innovative small-batch series at his family’s winery and make himself an international emissary for Northwest Michigan’s wine community. Sean began consulting for Mari Vineyards in 2009. As Sean began deciding what types of future wine he was interested in creating, he realized Marty Lagina’s vision aligned with his in many ways, and he decided to come on as Mari’s Winemaker in 2015.
While Sean specializes in many of the varieties he grew up with — Riesling, Gamay Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Grüner Veltliner, he also works with Italian varieties the Lagina’s have planted, such as Malvasia Bianca, Nebbiolo, and Schioppettino. Curious about textural qualities in wine and always experimenting, Sean also makes skin-contact whites inspired by Georgian techniques and more recently began creating wine ciders. Mari’s portfolio is a reflection of both the Lagina family legacy and Sean’s winemaking journey.
Sebastian and Colleen Hardy are the founders of Living Roots, a winery in the regions surrounding both of their hometowns: the Finger Lakes of New York and the Adelaide Hills of South Australia.
Though it was founded in 2016, the Living Roots story can be traced to Thomas Hardy, Sebastian’s great-great-great grandfather, who immigrated from England in 1850 and planted some of the first vines in South Australia. Seb grew up around his dad’s vineyards in McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, and went on to pursue winemaking himself. He’s worked vintages in Australia, Austria, France, Italy and the US, and has a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from The University of Adelaide, with a six-month exchange at UC Davis during his studies.
Colleen grew up in Rochester, New York and has a degree in marketing from Michigan State University. Three years into a marketing career in Chicago, she was keen to get into the wine industry and pivoted. Colleen landed a position as a cellar hand for the 2014 vintage at Hardy’s Tintara Winery in South Australia before working for a small boutique winery in a hybrid marketing and cellarhand role.
Seb and Colleen started Living Roots in 2016 and split their time between South Australia and New York, doing two harvests each year and experimenting with a wide range of styles that highlight the natural strengths of each region. With sustainability at the forefront, Living Roots makes wines with varietal and regional expression, minimal inputs and maximum quality.
Few people are fortunate enough to take their love and passion for something and turn it into a career. Gourmet Wine Getaways’ Peter Kerr just happens to be one of those lucky people. His love of wine started when he lived in Europe and could enjoy tasting and learning about wines from the best wine producing countries on the continent. He later came to the US (to stay) and added the wines of California to his knowledge base (In fact, he has selected wines from Zaca Mesa Winery to taste and compare to the French wines on this AMA cruise). Peter quickly realized he wanted to share this love, passion and voluminous information with other wine drinkers. It didn’t matter their level of wine expertise; he could and would talk with anyone who was interested in the broad subject of wine and wine/food pairing & do so in a way that was not intimidating. This eventually led to the creation of Gourmet Wine Getaways in 1996 where he serves as “The Wine Consultant” for wine dinners, tastings and wine-centric travel adventures on land and sea. There are many people walking the planet that have a lot of wine knowledge in their head. But, it can be safely said that there is no one in that category who can make anyone feel more at home than Peter. If you are lucky, you will find a seat next to him and discover this for yourself.
For over three decades, the Orsi Family has nurtured grapevines in Sonoma County's picturesque Dry Creek Valley, just outside Healdsburg, CA. Their sprawling home ranch spans 70 acres, meticulously tended to showcase 11 distinct Italian grape varieties. These varieties have become synonymous with the Orsi Family label, yielding a collection of acclaimed, award-winning wines. The inspiration behind cultivating these Italian grapes traces back to Bernie Orsi, the visionary proprietor, who, after a transformative family trip to Italy in the early 2000s, fell in love with the diverse old-world grape varieties. This approach to planting Italian grapes in Dry Creek Valley is an homage to the legacy of Italian families who settled in the region in the early 1900s, rekindling a historic connection. Mark Orsi, a devoted member of the family enterprise, transitioned to Orsi Family Wines after a fruitful 30-year career in the Financial Markets. With a deep-rooted passion for wine, Mark joined the business seven years ago and now serves as the General Manager of the winery and tasting room nestled in Healdsburg, CA.
Featured prominently in the iconic movie Sideways, Fiddlehead Cellars’ owner and winemaker Kathy Joseph is recognized as a pioneer among female winemakers. With unbridled passion and enthusiasm, Kathy creates stylistic Sauvignon Blanc, age-worthy Grüner Veltliner and silky, textural Pinot Noir. She produces about 5,000 cases of wine at Fiddlehead annually, infusing her personal touch in each grape cluster, barrel of wine and bottle that finds its way to the table. Her quest is simple: to incorporate European beauty into these New-World varietals by working with grapes grown in the ideal spot and wines managed with great care and respect in the cellar. All varietals, including Grüner Veltliner from Austria, are celebrated for their successful Old-World pedigree; all have the potential to convey sensory elegance and have proven to gratify a broad range of discriminating palates. Join Kathy and her husband Tom as they lead you along the Rhine River, exploring this rich wine region.
Messina Hof is the most awarded and renowned Texas wine in national and international competitions. In a community steeped in tradition, Messina Hof Winery & Resort holds its own with a 200-year history of award winning wines. Although the winery itself was officially established when with the first vintage release in 1983, the rich wine heritage of Winemaker Paul Bonarrigo dates back six generations to Messina, Sicily. Merrill Bonarrigo’s family originates from Hof, Germany. Together they have pioneered the Texas wine industry in creating premium wines of distinction and a landmark wine country destination.
At Stoller, their roots run deep. The family established the property in 1943 and the vineyard 50 years later. Over the last 30 years, the team has patiently transformed the 400-acre property into the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon’s Dundee Hills. Much has changed from the original Stoller family farm, but two things remain constant: a pioneering spirit and commitment to their farm. The team continuously seeks new ways to refine and protect its legacy so that it can thrive for generations to come. Stoller’s winery was the first in the world to receive LEED Gold certification, attesting that their winery is sustainably built and environmentally friendly. Stoller takes pride in their B Corp, LIVE, and Salmon-Safe certifications, knowing they back their values with actions when it comes to their commitment to their land, wines, and community. Leading the charge for the past 11 years is President Gary Mortensen. His career spans more than 22 years of senior leadership in the Oregon wine industry, coupled with a decade as a start-up veteran. As a devoted historian, he is committed to preserving and sharing our nation’s diversity and heritage. Gary’s passion for innovation and pushing boundaries has earned Stoller a reputation for excellence that consistently earns the family-owned winery a place on the USA Today 10Best Tasting Rooms Reader’s Choice poll and 2023 Best Winery by Willamette Week’s Best of Portland. In 2022, Gary was named one of the Portland Business Journal’s Executives of the Year, and one of Wine Business Month’s Top Leaders.
Angela Summers was drawn to Oregon by the quiet beauty of the terrain and the brilliant rainbows that frequent the valley. Inspired by the color of the vineyard after harvest, Saffron Fields is nestled in the northern Willamette Valley on an old dairy farm. Our woman-owned winery and sustainably cultivated vineyard produces exceptional wines that reflect the vintage and terroir. In an area known for vibrant Burgundian wines, winemaker Tony Rynders crafts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rose with balance and complexity that are authentic expressions of our estate's rich soils and coastal influences. Voted #1 tasting room in the Willamette Valley, we offer you an intimate and unique destination dedicated to wine, art, architecture, and well-being, surrounded by a stunning Japanese Garden from renowned Hoichi Kurisu. Immerse yourself in contemporary art and architecture as you experience the excellence of our world-class estate-grown wines.
"Embark on a wine journey with me along the enchanting Danube River! I'm Rebecca Sciandri Griffin, a passionate force in the wine industry and proud representative of Sciandri Family Vineyards, my family's verified Micro winery nestled in the picturesque Coombsville area of Napa Valley. At Sciandri Family Vineyards, we craft between 500 and 600 cases of wine per year—equivalent to just about 30 barrels. On our label, you'll find the Sciandri motto, “vino con un tocco di familia,” Italian for “wine with a touch of family.” It perfectly encapsulates our family-owned and operated ethos, where I, alongside my mother Roberta and brothers, Ron Jr. and Ryan, orchestrate the delicate dance of art and science in winemaking. I strive to create memorable experiences and foster lifelong connections with all of our “wine family”. My expertise spans all facets of the wine business, from internet sales and marketing to managing directto-consumer channels, wine clubs, and national distribution. I am fueled by a genuine passion for people, fine wine, and travel. Beyond the vineyards, I co-founded the Coombsville Vintners and Growers association in 2009, a testament to my commitment to building a strong community within the industry. I invite you to join me on this vinous adventure along the Danube, where my love for creating unique wine experiences comes to life. Let's explore the world of fine wines together, discovering the magic that happens when passion, craftsmanship, and the serene beauty of the Danube converge.
Linked Vineyards is the dream of husband and wife, Drew Johnson and Jessica Link, who have teamed up with winemaker Luc Morlet to produce a very small production 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The family vineyard, also their homestead, is perched just above the fogline on a hillside on the southwestern edge of Knight’s Valley at an elevation of 1,200 feet. While the Linked Vineyards name clearly has ties to the family name, it means so much more. It represents the connection of elements that help create the wine: the unique site, the family (they include Luc here) and all of the friends who pitch in and support them. Their desire is to use a beautiful Cabernet to carry a small piece of their special place in Sonoma County wherever they go, build links to new friends and bring more fascinating people into the fold. With a production of less than 250 cases each vintage, the only way to know about this exclusive “winery” is to meet them yourself or get a bottle of Linked Vineyards Cabernet shared by a very generous friend who is already in the know.
Holly has been a popular Wine Host for AmaWaterways river cruises since 2013. She lives in New York State and is an enthusiastic supporter of the Finger Lakes wine region where she leads many tours to the local wineries, breweries, organic farms, cheesemakers and other locavore destinations. Her business is called “UNCORKED”, and she often speaks at special wine events, judges at international wine competitions, and leads many educational wine seminars and programs in Rochester and the surrounding areas. Holly is a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators; a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers; and is currently pursuing her diploma through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. Holly loves to teach and travel and has an enthusiastic and fun approach to learning.
Since its founding in 2004, m2 Wines has been a rapidly evolving winery that has been crafting award-winning wines in California, known for Zinfandels, Rhone-style wines and audacious blends. Owner and Winemaker Layne Montgomery was fascinated with wine since his early 20’s, and at age 40 thought he’d try his hand at making great wines. He spent two years making his first wines at local wineries that would allow him the space. In 2006, he moved into a cramped industrial warehouse in Lodi, California. At that simple location, Layne crafted the identity of m2 wines. Soon the word that m2 was making great wines began to spread. Layne has received numerous awards for making superb Zinfandel and has since garnered a reputation for producing fine wines from California’s Lodi AVA. Today m2 Wines sits on its own 15-acre vineyard, with a delightful winery premises and tasting room. The dynamic, artisan, age-worthy wines of Layne & Karen Montgomery are from distinctive vineyards in Lodi, the Sierra Foothills, and Napa Valley. The m2 Lodi vineyard produces Zinfandel, Tannat, Petite Sirah and Vermentino. Join Layne & Karen Montgomery on a cruise down the Blue Danube, from Vilshofen Bavaria to Budapest Hungary aboard AmaBella, one of Europe’s grand river ships. They look forward to sharing their prized California wines in two special tasting events and a paired dinner.
Mike Owen’s lifelong wine journey has taken him from California to France, from the cellar to the judging table, from a wine aficionado to a wine businessman. Mike and his wife Melissa own and operate Crystal Basin Cellars in the Sierra Foothills of the El Dorado appellation. Working with almost 20 different grapes provides an extensive line-up of award-winning wines. Mike has great success with Rhone varieties planted at high elevations. You can literally taste the difference in these flavorful wines. Who doesn’t want to talk about and sip great Syrah and Mourvedre? Mike’s palate, easygoing informative approach, plus his serious, wine-geeky patter set him up to be an All-Star host for AmaWaterways. Crystal Basin’s winemaking history extends back nearly 40 years. Let Mike and Melissa them share their enthusiasm on an unforgettable trip.
Lisa and Rob Russell, fourth-generation vintners of the Grifenhagen and Russell families, are owners of Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, an 80-acre vineyard and 12,000-case winery on their family’s permanently preserved 435-acre farm in Westport, Massachusetts. Their operation and farm play an important role in preserving the rural agricultural character of their small seaside town. Rob has focused on farming since 1985, and Lisa has managed onsite events, the wine club and retail sales since 2017. Rob is now the winery’s General Manager. Marco Montez joined the Westport Rivers Cru in 2019, bringing advanced wine making knowledge and expertise. Marco offers a unique winemaking perspective as he owns a family winery in Portugal in addition to his responsibilities with Westport Rivers. Westport Rivers specializes in Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines, which have been served in the White House and lauded by Oprah. The winery also farms and vinifies Chardonnay, Riesling, and more esoteric whites such as Pinot Gris, Rkatsiteli, Grüner Veltliner, and Schönburger. Like the wines of Alsace, most of Westport’s wines are fully fermented to dryness, gloriously aromatic, and deliciously crisp. This makes them excellent pairings for both exotic and simple foods. Join Lisa & Rob Russell and Claudia & Marco Montez to sail along the beautiful and historic Rhine River. Taste and enjoy both the wines from Westport Rivers and the Alsace wine region while learning about the challenges and rewards of farming and pioneering world-class wines in the Southeastern New England AVA. Discover the similarities and differences between the wines of Westport Rivers and Alsace and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow wine lovers on this unique and unforgettable experience.
Third generation winemaker Bion Rice’s great grandfather grew grapes for the Inglenook Winery in the 1890’s. His grandfather remembered picking grapes on that vineyard as a boy. When his parents planted a 25-acre vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley in 1990, the legacy continued. After five years of harvesting, cellar work, and enology training under renowned winemaker Daniel Gehrs, Bion produced his first solo-vintage as Head Winemaker in 1997 at his family’s Sunstone Vineyard and Winery in Santa Ynez. Having studied art and filmmaking in college, Bion wanted to fuse his passion for art and wine in an innovative way. In 1999, he produced the first vintage of Artiste featuring the art of James-Paul Brown on the front label, inspiring Bion to start his own winery. Artiste’s “Tasting Studio” was opened in 2003, and it quickly became a mustexperience destination for wine enthusiasts who also appreciate art. The tasting experience included painting on large easels with canvases, art journaling, and wine blending classes. Artiste became the home of “Art Inspired Wines,” an approach to blending wine that Bion invented, developed, and perfected. He artfully blends wines in response to the emotional, instinctual, thought-provoking, and sometimes synesthetic experiences derived from artworks, translating a visual medium into the senses: aromas, flavors, and mouth-feel. Every wine is a limited-edition work of art itself and is never replicated.
Founded by the late Judge Royce Lewellen, and long-time grape grower Louis Lucas in 1996, Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards has been producing fine grapes and wine for many years. Royce’s son Mike Lewellen became a minority owner of the company in 1999 and joined the company full-time in 2009 to help manage the operation as it grows into the future. As Managing Partner, Mike carries out business planning and analysis and works with all departments at the winery; Marketing & Sales, Finance, the Tasting Rooms, and of course the Winery. Prior to Lucas and Lewellen, Mike worked for over 16 years in the multi-channel retail business. Working at different times as Marketing Director, Circulation Manager and Inventory Planner, he gained valuable experience that he has applied toward the wine business. Mike was raised in Solvang, California near the vineyards, has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado, a Professional Designation in Business Management from UCLA, and has furthered his wine education through programs at U.C. Davis
Amelia Morán Ceja was born in Las Flores, Jalisco, Mexico. She immigrated to the United States in 1967 to join her father, a farmworker in Rutherford in the Napa Valley. On her first weekend, Amelia was in the vineyard, harvesting grapes alongside her family where she met her future husband Pedro Ceja. Amelia fell in love with grape growing, and throughout her teenage and college years during school vacations, she continued working in the vineyards gaining deeper understanding on viticulture and winemaking. In 1983 Amelia with Pedro, his brother and his parents purchased their first property in Carneros in the Napa Valley. They planted their first grapes in the Carneros AVA in 1986, and Amelia, Pedro, her brother-in-law and his wife cofounded Ceja Vineyards in 1999. Today the family owns 115 acres in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
Her leadership of Ceja Vineyards is groundbreaking, as she became the first Mexican-American woman ever to be elected president of a winery in 1999, and in 2005, the California Legislature recognized Amelia as “Woman of the Year” for “breaking the glass ceiling in a very competitive business.”
Ceja Vineyards has also been featured in acclaimed media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Univision, Telemundo, NBC, ABC plus many more, and Amelia has shared her tantalizing authentic Mexican dishes paired with Ceja Vineyards wines on CNN, HLN, Food Network and the Today Show.
Experience the best wines from Bending Branch Winery in the Texas Hill Country and Ursa Vineyards in California’s Sierra Foothills, hosted by Winemakers Greg Stokes, Deborah Elissagaray, Chad Kurtz, and other key members of the Bending Branch and Ursa teams. Bending Branch was established in 2009 by CEO and Executive Winemaker Dr. Bob Young with his wife Brenda and their daughter Alison. Bending Branch leads the Texas wine industry in innovation and quality. Greg Stokes has been part of the winemaking team since the beginning, and Chad Kurtz since 2012. Bending Branch was awarded Top Texas Winery (2018) and Top Texas Wine (2014) at the Houston Rodeo Uncorked! International Wine Competition. Ursa Vineyards was founded in 2001 by husband and wife winemaking team, Greg Stokes and Deborah Elissagaray. Greg and Deborah have extensive backgrounds in viticulture and consulting. Deborah has family ties to Southwest France and brings those influences to the Ursa brand.
Scott Steingraber, owner and winemaker of Kriselle Cellars, is passionate about his craft. Scott began making wine over 25 years ago and through his exploration of wine, he discovered the incredible viticulture area of the Rogue Valley Appellation in Southern Oregon. His drive to create exceptional wines of exquisite character and quality followed that discovery and forged a new path for Scott. He transitioned from his career in engineering technical bridges into a life of wine. Kriselle Cellars was launched in 2009 and very quickly became known for his distinctive, premium hand-crafted wines.
Scott’s creations at Kriselle Cellars are enjoying a reputation of excellence, garnering scores and awards from the most prestigious reviewers and competitions both nationally, and internationally. France is a special place for Scott and his two partners in the wine business: His wife Kris, who oversees the ranch and vineyard and Nora Lancaster, who directs business development. They are all eager to share wine and time with you onboard AmaKristina in spring 2025, where you will have the opportunity to appreciate Scott’s beautiful wines from Kriselle Cellars alongside their local counterparts along the River Rhone.
Though born in Kentucky, Jarod didn’t fall in love with the grape juice inside oak barrels until he moved to Oregon and attended culinary school as an aspiring chef. Learning about food—its sources, techniques, and surprises—led him first to Oregon wine country as a harvest intern, and then to Oregon State University for his bachelor's degree in viticulture and enology. Following winemaking stints at Willamette Valley's Cana’s Feast, Archery Summit, and Argyle, Jarod joined ROCO Winery in 2017 as Assistant Winemaker where he continues to pursue his passion for crafting world-class sparkling wine. When he's not in the cellar, Jarod uses his culinary skills to develop food pairings and menus for wine club events and winery dinners.
For seven years, Sheri has proudly led the service team in providing distinguished guest experiences in the tasting rooms, tours, special events, and offsite engagements for Chateau Montelena Winery. A native of Orange County California, she is a 35-year hospitality veteran who is passionate and keenly focused on the artistry of hospitality. She began her hotel career in 1988 in entry-level positions that taught her comprehensive guest service and relationship-building techniques. Over the years her roles evolved into an emphasis on food and beverage management and operations. Her leadership and strategic abilities allowed her to transition to executive roles for rooms division, general manager, and corporate project manager. In 2013, Sheri returned to her food and beverage roots by joining Zov’s Restaurant Group, overseeing all operations for the multi-unit James Beard Award-winning company. In September 2016, Napa Valley became a natural progression in her career where her love for food, wine, and hospitality blended into one rewarding role at Chateau Montelena. She has earned her Certified Specialists of Wine certification and is a passionate advocate for the wine industry and the Montelena brand. You are cordially invited to join Sheri on a voyage down the beautiful Seine River, from Paris through historic Normandy to the Atlantic and back. We’ll visit Chantilly, Epernay, Paris, Les Andelys, Le Havre, Honfleur, Omaha Beach, Giverny and Rouen. On board the AmaLyra, Sheri will conduct two tastings on board and one paired dinner with the extraordinary, multi-award-winning wines of Montelena. This is a delightful experience for lovers of fine wine, French cuisine and art history. Join us!
“No two vintages are the same; which provides us with a unique and expressive wine each year. This makes the entire process of making wine exciting, mysterious and ever changing.” - Aurora Aurora is the daughter of Luis and Janice Coria, the owners of Coria Estates. Rori, as her family and friends call her, grew up helping her folks working in the vineyard and behind the scenes in the administrative side of owning a 60 acre vineyard. Rori decided to go back to school and study Winemaking, and in a few short years, Coria Estates had their first crush under label in 2013! Rori started her career in winemaking in 2011. She studied at the Northwest Wine Studies Center, and has interned at Oregon wineries, as well as studied winemaking and worked a vintage abroad in Tasmania, Australia. She believes in being hands off stylistically in the winery and letting the fruit speak for itself. She believes that if you manipulate a wine too much, you lose the natural essence of the fruit you started with.
Her passion for wine has grown and is now producing upwards of 15 different styles of wine each harvest; from Pinot Noir to Cabernet Sauvignon to Sauvignon Blanc! She is always learning and feels that every harvest is an opportunity to try something new, whether it’s new yeast, a new varietal or different oak barrels, it’s a chance to learn and grow.
Winemaker Noah Fox Reed and General Manager Cameron James each share over 20 years of experience in the wine industry and direct the production, operations, sales & marketing at Tinte Cellars. Tinte Cellars is a family-owned winery, established by Tim Gamble and Teresa Spellman Gamble in 2018. Their mission is to combine an award-winning, Washington-focused winery with a social mission to inspire the community to support those in need in Washington state. A Washington native, Noah was busy earning his degree in Philosophy when he first became interested in wine. He began studying winemaking at Walla Walla Community College and his passion crystalized when he worked his first harvest in 2003. Noah journey took him to Australia for a harvest and then back to Eastern WA, ultimately working as an Assistant Winemaker. In 2014, looking for a new challenge, he took charge of the program at William Church and now masterfully manages winemaking for Tinte Cellars. Cameron grew up amongst the vines in the Sonoma/Napa Valley wine country. While finishing college Cameron began working in the wine industry in a tasting room. A healthy mix of curiosity and ambition lead to positions that brought a diverse set of skills and knowledge. In 2008, Cameron moved into the luxury hotel industry, ultimately leading the food and beverage program at Meadowood Napa Valley. In 2016, Cameron returned to the wine industry and lead several luxury and high-volume properties before taking the opportunity to join Tinte Cellars in 2021 as General Manager
For many generations, the Forrests have called Marlborough, New Zealand home. With daughter, Beth Forrest now at the helm, they remain one the few family-owned wine producers in New Zealand. Founders John and Brigid Forrest both had successful careers in scientific research and medicine before they chose to leave it all behind and try their hand at a reasonably green New Zealand wine industry in the late 1980s. Thirty-five years later, Forrest remains committed to the future of wine. The Forrest brand is reserved for the premium wines from the Marlborough terroir. An enthusiasm for experimentation and innovation and progressive plantings throughout their Marlborough Vineyards over the years has created a viticultural treasure trove of alternative grape varieties. This allows the Forrest family to present a diverse, quality-focused range to the wine lovers of New Zealand and the world. Celebrating their history and a multi-generational future, and still very much hands-on, they create premium, small-batch wines under the Forrest label with an impressive library of hand crafted and different wines and styles. John’s passion, drive, ever-inquiring mind and out-of-the-box thinking has also created one of the excellent consumer wine brands in the world; The Doctors’ – naturally produced wines with a lower alcohol content.
California-born Patrick Taylor’s journey to winemaking was unconventional but inevitable. While his earliest interests were culinary-based, he subsequently discovered a passion for fermentation while home-brewing beer. This led him to Oregon where his interests began to shift from beer production to winemaking. After learning about the viticulture program at Oregon State University, he soon after enrolled, eventually earning his BS and MS degrees in viticulture and fermentation sciences. During this time, he worked harvest for several Willamette Valley wine producers including a stint as assistant winemaker at Torii Mor. In 2004, he became assistant winemaker at Cana’s Feast under owner Gino Cuneo. Taylor was handed the reins as Head Winemaker in 2007 and has continued learning the craft while never losing his love for fermentation and gratitude for the opportunity to find his calling.
Matthieu was born in Crozes Hermitage in the Rhone Valley of France. Coming from a family of viticulturists and wine lovers, Matthieu was predisposed to continue his family’s pursuit of making and enjoying wine. He first studied viticulture and oenology at Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy. After graduating in 1995, Matthieu worked in many different wine regions around France including Rhone Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence, and Jura. He then worked in Italy and South Africa to gain experience around the world before settling in Virginia. Since arriving in 2003, Matthieu has worked with wineries throughout the state. He enjoys working in the Monticello Appellation most because he likes the excitement of the region’s growth and being close to Charlottesville..
Little did Lee and Emily know that a chance meeting on a cold and rainy December afternoon in Seattle would profoundly change their lives forever.
Fast forward to today -- the Fergestroms are now married, embarking on the vintners' life in the heart of the Yakima Valley (Wash.).
Neither of their families come from the wine world or agriculture - although Emily did have some cows and rabbits as a child and Lee was in 4-H. Instead they have used their combined four decades of business, start-up tech and strategic communications experience to launch a successful boutique winery.
Fortuity Cellars, established in 2017, was quickly recognized as a winery to watch and also names the 2019 Small Business Administration Rising Startup of the Year for Washington state.
Fortuity delivers crisp, clean and aromatic white and rosé wines and brilliantly balanced, fruit forward red wines from the Yakima Valley. They believe the people and the unique climate, soil, sun, slopes, wind and water help produce some of the highest quality wines in the world. This is why they only source from some of Washington’s top vineyards, many now certified sustainable.
Fortuity focuses on single varietal, single vineyard wines that showcase the truest expression of this place. Red blend lovers will appreciate our traditional and unconventional blends that have gained recognition in recent years.
Emily and Lee look forward to exploring France’s world-class wine regions with you, while sharing their love of #wawine.
Wolff Vineyards is located on 125 acres of ecologically friendly, certified sustainable farm just minutes from downtown San Luis Obispo California, scenic beaches, and major tourist attractions. The vineyard and winery are in the Edna Valley and San Luis Obispo Coast Appellation, 4.5 miles from the Pacific Ocean providing a coastal marine influence. The vineyard was planted in 1976 and the winery opened in 1999. Wolff Vineyards is family-owned where every member brings their own passion and unique talents consistently producing high accolade wines. Jean-Pierre Wolff Ph.D. and Elke Wolff are the principal owners, their two sons Clint and Mark are respectively tasting room-events manager and assistant winemaker. Elke bringing her public accounting background and Jean-Pierre his engineering and scientific background managing the vineyard, winery, as well as being head of the “Wolff Pack.” Jean-Pierre is fluent in French, a seasoned European traveler, and a frequent host of vineyard tours and “vines to wine” educational presentations with an emphasis on cool climate and Rhone wine grape varieties. The overall business philosophy is reconnecting farming with nature, having a passion in wine making, being European influenced and Central Coast California inspired.
Located in the beautiful hills above Saratoga, CA, House Family Vineyards was founded by Dave House in 1998. As part of the Santa Cruz Mountains winegrowing region, House Family produces award-winning wines from their estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay.
As a family member, Jim has been involved in the vineyard and winery operation since the beginning. He has been the winemaker since 2010. Jim believes in the value of letting the wine express itself with a minimal amount of intervention, and oversees the harvest, fermentation and aging processes with a gentle hand. Jim's approach has paid off greatly, as House Family produces award-winning wines, which repeatedly garner both local and national critical acclaim.
As a champion of the Santa Cruz Mountain’s AVA, Jim serves as the president of the Winegrower’s Association. Along with his fellow growers, he believes that organic and sustainable farming are the best path forward to creating world class wines.
Chris James Cellars is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery that produces unique and interesting wines in Carlton, Oregon. The vineyard was planted in 2012 with additional blocks planted in each year since. What started with Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc has now expanded to include 17 varietals in 24 acres of grapes. Some of the types grown include Dolcetto, Lagrein, Gamay Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay and more! Wine Host, Chris Barnes is an engineer who has worked in the technology sector for over 20 years. After taking classes in winemaking, he was able to fulfill his dream of winemaking with his first vintage of just 200 cases in 2015 with the first grapes from his vineyard. Chris has become a fantastic winemaker receiving a variety of awards on his wines and in spring 2022, Chris James Cellars was named Oregon Winery of the Year by great Northwest Wine Magazine.
Established in 2002, Sojourn Cellars produces highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines. We source fruit from celebrated vineyards in both Sonoma and Napa Valley, where we work closely with vineyard owners who use world-class growing methods for cultivating grapes of the highest quality. Our hands-off winemaking style allows the character and personality of these special vineyard sites to shine through in the finished wines. Randy Bennett started as Sojourn’s Assistant Winemaker in 2008. He is now responsible for making all the Sojourn wines and overseeing cellar operations and vineyard management activities. He works closely with our growers and cellar crew to achieve Erich’s vision for the wines each vintage. Randy is also Sojourn’s General Manager, running the day-to-day operations of our production, marketing, and business operations. Randy’s introduction to winemaking came under the tutelage of Thomas Brown and Mike Smith while working in the wine caves of Nicholson Ranch in Sonoma. Randy was introduced to the art of making distinctive high-end wines during his time helping Thomas and Mike, as they produced wines for Schrader Cellars, Rivers-Marie, Myriad Cellars, Tamber Bey, and Nicholson Ranch.
I was born and raised in Hungary, in the middle of a wine region where almost every family had a little vineyard and made their own wine. My grandfather was a winemaker and viticulturist, so from a young age I was helping out around the family vineyard and winery. Though winemaking was part of my family history, my family never actually drank wine (except on special occasions). It was only later on, after meeting my wife Sabrina, that I got exposed to another part of wine culture. Today, it is what makes our dinners special, inspires our travels, and introduces us to great people.
In 2008, I decided to study winemaking and viticulture in Villány, one of the most famous wine regions in Hungary. After working for a few wineries, my wife and I decided to move to California where I learned even more about vineyard management and winemaking working for wineries in both Napa and Sonoma.
We moved to Washington in 2016 after taking a short trip to discover the wines of the region. Amazed by the wines we tasted, moved to Woodinville, Washington later that year. We started Prohibition Cellars at home in our garage in 2017, later moving to Woodinville’s iconic Warehouse District in 2019. We opened our tasting room on January 16th, 2020, the 100th anniversary of Prohibition. Today, we produce approximately 2,200 cases, focusing on creating distinctive, terroir driven wine, working with some of the most exceptional vineyards in the state.
Breathless Wines is a family affair, built by the love of three sisters, and the passion for life that their mother passed down to them. The sisters are dedicated to creating sparkling wines that pair well with life’s special moments. Located in Healdsburg, CA, Breathless Wines Earned Rising Wine Stars “Winery of the Year” in 2020.
Sharon Cohn is one of the 3 sisters who own Breathless Sparkling Wines. She is the “glitz, glamour and panache” behind the bubbles of Breathless. Sharon is the “feet on the street” of Breathless, traveling with the bubbly far and wide to meet with restaurants and retailers to share the passion behind Breathless. Sharon’s love of travel grew after four years in the US Air Force and she has enjoyed traveling to places far and wide: Canadian Rockies, Greece, Italy, Calgary and places that take her wherever there are mountains—her favorite!
When it comes to crafting wine, Cara brings an uncommon wealth of knowledge and passion to Sonoma-Cutrer. After receiving her enology degree at the University of California at Davis, Cara spent a year traveling the other winemaking regions of the world, working at wineries in Australia, Chile, and New York while also studying the craft in New Zealand, Eastern Europe, Italy, Germany, and France. Out of money but full of energy, Cara joined the Jekel Vineyard winemaking team in 1998. In 2000, she was selected as the Winemaker/White Wines at Fetzer Vineyards. Cara often talks about the first time she tasted Sonoma-Cutrer and in that moment, she knew that this food-friendly, well-balanced style was the wine she wanted to make. She got that wish when she joined the Sonoma-Cutrer team in 2005 and immersed herself in crafting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in our classic, Burgundian style. Winemaking is often a family profession and, true to form, Cara is married to another Sonoma County winemaker and they live with their two children near the winery. When Cara isn’t busy making wine, she enjoys skiing, hiking, and volunteering with local nonprofit organizations.
Toussaint Cellars is a micro boutique winery established in 2016 by Paul and Gina Toussaint in the Santa Barbara County wine region of California.
Paul is the winemaker and has lived in the Santa Barbara area for 40 years. He learned to love the unique vineyard characteristics and many varietals grown in the Santa Barbara wine region and developed a great appreciation for the local winemakers. He started making his own wines 15 years ago.
Wines are handcrafted in limited quantity to fully express the unique varietal and vineyard characteristics of Santa Barbara County AVA’s. Most grapes are sourced from smaller vineyards to offer a unique expression of Santa Barbara varietals.
French, Italian and Spanish varietals are produced to be enjoyed with family and friends, great food and music. You can find their wines at local wine festivals, events and river cruises. Or through the website at ToussaintCellars.com
Stephen Storrs and Pamela Bianchini-Storrs began Storrs Winery with the harvest of 1988. Both graduates of UC Davis with degrees in Viticulture and Enology, they had worked and consulted for many prominent wineries prior to starting their own. Beginning with their very first vintage, they focused on the Santa Cruz Mountains – a very cool, marine-influenced climate. Having worked in this terrain for years, they knew there was no better climatic match in California for the classic Burgundian varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their focus on Pinot & Chardonnay was further honed with a fortuitous trip to Burgundy in the 1980’s when wineries and winemakers were quick to open their doors and share their love and knowledge of these special varietals. Their dedication to these two amazing grapes has only continued to grow with their winery.
Along their path, they have won multiple sweepstake and prestigious awards, including the Best of Show (& the Golden Bear) at the California State Fair and San Francisco International Wine Competitions. In 2001 they realized a dream with the purchase of 60 acres in the Pleasant Valley district of Corralitos in the Santa Cruz Mountains A.V.A. establishing their estate vineyard in 2007. In 2012, they broke ground for construction of a new energy-efficient winery on the site of a former quarry that they discovered on their property. They opened their new winery & tasting room to the public in 2018. Today, they continue to pursue excellence with every vintage and celebrate the terroir of their unique region in every bottle.
Australian Clare Tudor has always had a passion for wine – the places it comes from, the people who make it and the story of how it ends up in your glass.
After an inspiring year living all things wine in Napa California, Clare became a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and began her career as Wine Director for a Los Angeles restaurant group. With wine education spearheading her passion, Clare has trained numerous budding Somms and oenophiles. Her infectious passion attracts people from all walks of life wanting to know more about the wonderous world of wine with every sip and swirl.
With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality and television industries, Clare truly is a global wine expert. She also operates her own luxury wine travel business in Provence, France and you’ll always find her curiously exploring vineyards and intriguing wines throughout Europe, the Americas and the lands Downunder.
With over five decades of prolific writing experience, Tony is a multifaceted luminary in the worlds of literature, wine education, and culinary arts. His illustrious career includes a 21-year tenure as the wine columnist for the Toronto Star, where he shared his profound expertise with a global audience through esteemed publications like The Wine Spectator, Decanter, and Quench.
Tony's literary repertoire boasts 27 authored books, predominantly focused on the intricate relationship between food and wine, alongside co-authorship of 11 novels, showcasing the depth of his literary contributions. His outstanding achievements have earned him prestigious accolades, including the Order of Canada and induction into the esteemed New York Media Wine Writers Hall of Fame, along with international recognition such as the Officers Cross of the Order of Civil Merit from Spain.
Beyond his writing prowess, Tony's influence extends to the world of wine judging, having chaired the Canadian wines panel at the Decanter World Wine Awards for an impressive fifteen years. He is the visionary behind the annual Ontario Wine Awards competition and holds esteemed positions including honorary governor of Cuvée and directorship at the Independent Wine & Spirit Trust and The Canadian Wine Library.
Tony's commitment to community and philanthropy is evident through his co-founding of Grapes for Humanity, a charitable foundation that harnesses his passion for wine to enact positive change globally. Honored with accolades like the Royal Bank Business Citizen of the Year Award at the Niagara Grape & Wine Festival 2000 and the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario’s Challenge Coin, Tony's legacy is one of unparalleled dedication to the culinary and oenological arts, as well as to making a meaningful impact on the world.
Thomas Eggler has been delighting guests and educating them about Austrian wines for many years. Third-generation owner of the four-star ski hotel Arlberghaus in the alps of western Austria, Thomas has developed a deep love of Austrian wines as he has selected them to pair with the delicious cuisine in his own restaurant. Drawing on that expertise—and relationships built through decades with Austrian winemakers—he has launched wine tastings in the hotel, which fill up quickly with European and international guests alike. As we cruise the Danube through Austrian wine country, including the acclaimed Wachau Valley, Thomas will entertain you—as he does his hotel guests—with tales of local winemaking, introduce you to some of his favorite winemakers, curate exceptional bottles for tastings onboard and, working with our chef, pair them with a grand wine dinner.
Knapp Winery, now 40 years old, was one of the first wineries established in the Finger Lakes (FLX) AVA, and has always have a tradition of quality and innovation. Cole and Karen Wilson have been the proud owners of this outstanding and historic brand since 2021, and are dedicated to producing high quality and expressive wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. They are long-time residents and supporters of FLX wines; this adventure has allowed them to realize a long-time dream of supporting the region. Karen also works as a pediatrician in Rochester, NY, while Cole brings his unique background in wine and finance to the business. In addition to the winery, Field & Vine restaurant is a farm to table restaurant tucked into the vineyard. Cole is also a member of the Rochester-Finger Lake Châine des Rôtisseurs, the gastronomic society that has partnered with AMA Waterways.
Knapp Winery offers premium estate reds such as Cabernet Franc, and Blaüfrankisch, a German/Austrian vinifera, alongside whites such as signature Rieslings and Chardonnay. Knapp continues to innovate with varietals like Saperavi, a unique Georgian variety that’s gaining new appreciation across the country. Knapp is also the only winery east of the Mississippi to grow the Austrian grape Siegerrebe, the love child of Gewurtztraminer and Madeleine, which creates a wine with aromatic and floral characteristics, and a pleasing minerality.
The FLX AVA climate is very similar to that of Germany, Austria, Alsace, and Switzerland, which is why Cole and Karen were so excited to participate as wine hosts on this AMA Waterways Rhine river cruise. They are looking forward to sharing complementary wines that highlight the similarities and differences between these unique regions.
Immerse yourself in the heart of Bordeaux wine country with Cindy and Jeff Coggin, who specialize in hosting intimate groups on unforgettable river cruises. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or just discovering the world of fine wines, Cindy and Jeff’s easygoing charm and infectious passion will guide you on an unforgettable journey through the captivating stories, rich traditions, and diverse flavors of Bordeaux. Jeff has decades of travel experience to go along with a Level 2 Award in Wine (with Distinction) from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. Cindy has a background in incentive planning and working with destination management companies to create new and different experiences.
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and awaken your senses through interactive tastings and lively discussions. You'll gain invaluable knowledge and experience exploring the diverse spectrum of wines this famed region has to offer. Unravel the Mysteries of Left Bank vs. Right Bank Reds. Delight in the Crisp Refreshment of White Bordeaux. Indulge in the liquid gold of Bordeaux – Sauternes.
Embark on an engaging discussion as they share their passion for the stories behind the wines. Delve into Bordeaux’s rich history, where tales of legendary wines intertwine with the evolution of a land blessed with exceptional terroir. We'll explore the 1855 classification, a landmark ranking that sparked fervent debate and continues to hold undeniable influence – even as the world of wine has undergone dramatic changes.
Each sip of Bordeaux is a journey through time, history, and the passionate craftsmanship of generations of winemakers. Come, join us, and discover the magic that unfolds in every bottle.
In 2006, a girl from Arizona decided to head to Oregon to sip Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. It was there she met an ambitious wine enthusiast who had a dream to plant his own vineyard and make World Class Wine. On that very weekend, John and Jody Wrigley met, fell in love, purchased 200 acres and started on a lifetime adventure. Fueled by passion, these two have built a beautiful life in the heart of Oregon’s wine country. John has amassed numerous wine awards and Jody continues to promote and cheerlead her favorite wine-maker. They invite you to join them on their adventure and live by their motto that “All dreams are possible”.
David Bauer’s passion to design and deliver the ultimate guest experience with food and wine led him to Los Milics Vineyards, which was voted one of the top ten new wineries in the U.S. in 2023 by USA Today. Intrigued by the award-winning wines and inspired by the natural and manmade landscape, David immediately understood the promise and potential of Los Milics and joined the team in 2022.
David brings decades of hospitality expertise to Los Milics in the worlds of culinary, wine, events, and guest experience. He created events for corporate clients in New York City, LA, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chicago, Dallas, and other major cities that were notable for presentation: both food and ambience. Some of his signature recipes have become staples in well-known stores.
A gifted host, David relishes the challenge of introducing Arizona wines to wine aficionados. He enjoys seeing the surprise on his guests faces when they savor Los Milics rustic red blends, refreshing rosés, and bright whites. Just ask him and he’s happy to talk about how the terroir in Southern Arizona influences which grapes Los Milics Vineyards chooses to plant and harvest.
David has been a frequent guest on Arizona television stations where he performed cooking demonstrations and shared tips on home design and entertaining. Prior to focusing on food and wine, David had a successful career in marketing, advertising, and branding. David has spent his adult life in Arizona and is excited to be part of the exciting Arizona wine story.