Crystal AirCruises Partners with Wine Spectator for ‘Savoring the Winelands’ Journey

Wine lovers’ odyssey infused with exclusive wine tastings and educational sessions

 

 

MIAMI, February 8, 2016 –Crystal AirCruises announced today a partnership with Wine Spectator magazine that will feature enhanced specialized programming for the 16-day “Savoring the Winelands” itinerary, departing on June 1, 2018.

 

Aboard Crystal’s fully customized Boeing 777, guests will journey to the world’s most celebrated wine regions and be treated to tasting and educational experiences, inspired by Wine Spectator magazine.  Expert sommeliers and renowned wine lecturers will accompany guests on this exciting journey, and conduct numerous special tastings throughout the trip. Wine connoisseurs from the lauded publication have also guided the selection of wine estates to be visited in the storied regions of Bordeaux, Champagne/Paris, Tuscany, Mendoza, Santiago and Cape Town. On board, wine lovers can expand their knowledge with sommelier-guided tasting sessions, as well as through certificate courses by Wine Spectator School.  “Savoring the Winelands” in cooperation with Wine Spectator is the world’s only private jet tour offering expert-guided in-flight wine tastings in the comfort of an expansive, on-board lounge and Skye Cellar.

 

The “Savoring the Winelands” Crystal AirCruise in cooperation with Wine Spectator is available for booking now, with fares of $73,000 per person. Contact a travel professional, call 855.207.2778, 789.971.1010 (international calls) or visit www.crystalaircruises.com

 

During the journey, Crystal guests will explore the vineyards and surrounding cities of the regions with immersive experiences that include:

• Chianti tasting at 16^th century Castello Della Paneretta Winery, dining at Michelin-starred La Torre, truffle hunting with the local Savini family, and exploring the surrounding landscape by Vespa in Tuscany, Italy.
• Exploration of Chateaux Margaux and Pomerol, a hot-air balloon ride over Saint-Émilion, and dining at Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay’s Le Pressoir d’Argent and Phillippe Etchebest’s Le Quatrième Mur in Bordeaux, France.
• Roaming the vineyards and underground cellars of the Montagne de Reims, exclusive access to the Louvre and Palace of Versailles, and Michelin-starred dining at Le Fouquet’s and Victoria in Champagne/Paris, France.
• Learning the art of blending at South Africa’s Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, and a cooking safari at Cape Malay that showcases local ethnic cuisines in Cape Town, South Africa.

 

“The specialized experiences planned for this Crystal AirCruises’ journey are simply unparalleled. Our experts, along with the esteemed authorities recommended by Wine Spectator, have created a global travel adventure that will whet any wine and food lover’s appetite for travel,” says Crystal Chairman, CEO and President Edie Rodriguez.

 

Throughout the journey, guests will have access to further wine discoveries with editions of the magazine’s tasting reviews aboard the aircraft, a dedicated Wine Spectator app on the personal iPad^® devices included on board, and additional tastings in the spacious tasting lounge. In flight, guests will enjoy the extraordinary amenities of the well-appointed private jet, including Michelin-inspired cuisine and the renowned vintages within the expansive Skye Cellar – which will be stocked with wines relevant to the specialized itinerary.

 

Aircraft operated for Crystal AirCruises by Comlux Aruba NV.

 

As it expands its reach to all luxury travelers across the globe, Crystal evolves to The World’s Most Luxurious Hospitality and Lifestyle Brand Portfolio™. Crystal Cruises is the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line™, having earned “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 years; and the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by travel professional organization Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016).  The newest and upcoming extensions of the celebrated Crystal brand include Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air, Crystal River Cruises – The World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line ™ , Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Exclusive Class™ with Crystal Residences.