Wine Hosts

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Jill and Steve Matthiasson started making wine in their backyard a month after they started dating. In 2003, they started making wines to sell when Steve happened upon an undiscovered jewel of a vineyard in the Napa Valley. Naming the winery MATTHIASSON was the easy part; the hard part was convincing people that a tiny, unknown winery could produce world-class, balanced, fresh tasting wines from the Napa Valley.

Jill and Steve have since become internationally acclaimed vintners, with their wines being featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle (where Steve was named “Winemaker of the Year”), Bon Appétit Magazine, In-Style Magazine, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Decanter Magazine, Food & Wine Magazine, JancisRobinson.com and The Wine Spectator, to name a few. They have been featured extensively on the SOMMTV channel and Steve is a 6-time nominee for the prestigious James Beard Award. Steve and Jill are committed organic farmers, farming about 50 acres of mostly grapes, plus some peaches, plums, nectarines and lemons in the Napa Valley.

Peter Neptune is one of only 269 individuals in the World to hold the wine industry's most prestigious title: Master Sommelier. He is a 35-year veteran of the wine business, beginning as a sommelier in New York City, where he trained and worked for 10 years. Upon returning to his native California, Peter entered into Wine Education full time, and has established a nationwide reputation as one of the premier wine educators in the USA.

In addition to his MS Diploma, Peter holds the title of Certified Wine Educator with the Society of Wine Educators (for which he was recognized with the Banfi Award for Excellence in 2003), holds a Diploma in Wine and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London, and is an Associate of the Institute of Wines and Spirits. He also holds the credential French Wine Scholar, with Highest Honors.

Peter is one of the teaching Masters at the Court of Master Sommelier Intro and Advanced Courses, and is an examiner at the Certified, Advanced, and Master Sommelier Examinations.

In 2003 Peter began the first WSET school in Southern California. Currently, Neptune School of Wine administers the WSET Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Diploma Certification programs, as well as the French and Spanish Wine Scholar programs and exams. To date he has taught over 1,500 students at the various levels. Neptune School is proud to be celebrating over 20 years as a WSET APP!

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.

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.

Marjorie Speer began her career in the wine industry over 16 years ago, starting at the distributor level and later managing multiple Southeast states on the importer side and specializing in Italian, South American, French, and South African wines.

Currently, Marjorie is National Sales Director at Dialect Imports, an Italian wine importer focusing on Sustainably farmed indigenous varietals and female led, multi-generational family producers. Marjorie is also a member of the Society of Wine Educators and Women of the Vine and contributes to local publications.

Marjorie enjoys combining her love of wine and travel, hosting travel groups and presenting wines of the regions they visit. When she’s not traveling to vineyards around the world, Marjorie keeps busy gardening, beekeeping, teaching Pilates, working out, and serving the community through the Junior League and other nonprofit community organizations.

A Florida native, Marjorie is proud to participate in many of the wine events throughout her home state and the East Coast and looks forward to hosting fellow wine afficionados on a magical wine adventure through France.

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.

Jenne Baldwin-Eaton started her career with Plum Creek Cellars, one of the largest Colorado wineries in 1994. Hired as a chemist in the lab and then having an “Aha moment” with a bottle of 1992 Cabernet Franc, made by her mentor Erik Bruner, art and science were forever woven together. For 22 years, Jenne made award-winning wines from 100 % Colorado grown grapes. Her next six years were spent developing and teaching the first Viticulture and Enology program at Western Colorado Community College, a division of Colorado Mesa University. Although retired from academia, Jenne has a long-standing passion for the Colorado wine industry and continues to support, educate, research and consult. For Jenne wine is a beautiful culmination of terroir, art, and science. She looks forward to exploring the Bordeaux wine region and introducing folks to the high-quality wines of Colorado. Jenne will bring with her wine from three Colorado wineries Vines 79, Red Fox Vineyards and Restoration Vineyards. All three wineries make wines from Bordeaux cultivars and each have their own style from 100 % Colorado grown grapes. Join Jenne as she shares with you the new world vs old world styles of Bordeaux wines!

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.

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.

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.

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.

As proprietors of Mill Creek Vineyards & Winery, one of three generations who have run the winery, Bill and Yvonne Kreck have a hard time separating family life from work. For them, being part of a winemaking family is both a way of life and a way to make a living. The best part is that neither could have asked for a more fitting way to blend similar backgrounds and beliefs. Their childhood experiences also provided them with a strong sense of community, and a commitment to maintain the rural lifestyle. Both Bill and Yvonne came from backgrounds that emphasized respect for agriculture. Both had the idea of wise and conservative use of land, and deep respect for those who make their livings from it, ingrained from the time they were children.

While their paths temporarily separated, they both returned to their roots in Sonoma County to marry, raise a family, and help run the family business. Mill Creek’s estate property was first planted in Dry Creek Valley in 1969 to three white and three red varietals. Bill’s dream of a small vineyard on their home Chalk Hill Road property came true in 1991; amidst two hundred-year-old valley oaks are seven acres now planted to the classic Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec used in the Kreck Estate Meritage, Reflections. Mill Creek Vineyards now incorporates grapes from this vineyard with those from the Dry Creek Valley Estate property for their wine portfolio.

In 2017, after a career in technology, Scott Haladay was looking to put his passion into the Walla Walla Wine industry and was very fortunate to purchase one of Walla Walla Valley’s iconic brands, Walla Walla Vintners. He has worked tirelessly with his team to craft a new era of Walla Walla Vintners wines that blends the brand’s almost 30 years of traditions with a modern approach to winemaking and viticulture.

In addition to the classically styled Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc, Walla Walla Vintners has always had a unique focus and fascination with Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. The Cabernet Franc is newworld styled, balancing the fruit and spice characteristics typical in this varietal. The Sangiovese sees more old-world inspiration of classic Italian wines, being bright red fruited and acid driven. The wines from the Walla Walla Valley are large, expressive, and full of lively personality. The goal for each vintage at Walla Walla Vintners is to make decisions in the vineyard and in the cellar to craft wines that are rich, dense, textural, elegant, and most importantly, pleasurable. Creating pleasurable wines that pair well with food, friends, and family make for memorable experiences. You are invited to join in on an epic adventure to make memories and immerse your heart in viticulture enchantment with Walla Walla Vintners and AmaWaterways in Germany where old world meets new world.

D Russell Smith, our winemaker, has an impressive 41 years of experience. Originally from Houston, Russell began his winemaking career in Napa Valley in 1983. He returned to Texas in 1989 and has been making wine here ever since. In 2012, Russell bought two vineyards in northeastern Spain and makes wine there part of the year. He has been crafting exceptional wines in the picturesque vineyards of Texas, California, and Spain for Barons Creek Vineyards since we opened in 2015. His touch transforms grapes into liquid art. Each blend reflects his decades of expertise, capturing the essence of the vineyards and the spirit of BCV.

Mary Joli is the SE Regional Sales Manager with Willamette Valley Vineyards, where she manages our distributor relationships, seeing accounts and presenting at wine dinners and seminars across the southern region from AZ to FL.

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, formed and structured wine clubs, hosted special events and vineyard weddings.

As a TWA international flight attendant Mary traveled extensively throughout Europe 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 the dunes on the Oregon coast, 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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Stephen grew up in the Napa Valley, where his family first settled in the 1800s. He and his siblings were the fifth generation on land his ancestor had identified as having the right conditions for winegrowing. Always appreciative of a good meal, with good wine and good company, he went off to have a career as a physician researcher, which took him to the National Institutes of Health.

Along the way, at a conference in France, he met Sylvia, also a physician, and a native of Chile. They took their passion for good food and wine to a new level when they decided to move back to the Napa Valley, to oversee the day-to-day operations for Taplin Cellars, the label the family created in 2011, after many years of selling their grapes to famed producers. Stephen and Sylvia, and their rescue dog, Roger, live in an adobe house adjacent to the estate, where they enjoy the visits of their children and grandchildren.

Nick Elliott brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality and culinary industries. As a Certified Sommelier, former winemaker, and classically trained chef, Nick is passionate about making wine accessible and enjoyable for everyone, from newcomers to seasoned wine lovers. Through his business, The Wine Guy, Nick offers laid-back wine education, private tastings, and staff training, all with a focus on making wine fun—never pretentious.

When he's not sharing his love of wine, Nick enjoys traveling, singing karaoke, and exploring the latest food trends. His philosophy is simple: wine should be an experience, not just a drink. So, whether you're pouring or exploring, Nick is here to make the journey as enjoyable as possible!

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.

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.

Kevin Bersofsky was born an East Coaster but now makes his home outside of San Francisco in Marin County. The closest his family ever got to wine was nice cold gallon jug of screw cap California Chablis on the second shelf of the family fridge. It wasn’t until Kevin went to Cornell University for Engineering that the world of wine would be discovered. In his senior year he was lucky enough to attend the wines class and a new universe opened up to him. Kevin would attend culinary school on the weekends when home from consulting assignments.

In 2005, Sutter Home gave Kevin a front row seat to winemaking, learning the ropes of the wine industry. The wine makers took him under their wing and taught him the basic skills to make wine. Starting around that time he invited 12 friends to make a barrel of Syrah with him in his garage. From that group grew Montagne Russe. The group continued to increase in size until 2013 when he and 130 people were making wine in his Napa garage. Unfortunately Kevin’s neighbor Ross didn’t share in his enthusiasm for wine and called Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms on him in October of 2013. After much legal wranglings Kevin found a loophole in the law, poured 4 barrels of wine down the drain and lived to continue on, starting Montagne Russe for real in 2015. His first pinots scored 94 and 95 pts from Robert Parker. So its no wonder his winery is called Montagne Russe (Roller Coaster in French).

Pavle has a storied career in front-of-house of restaurants in New York, Napa Valley, and Arizona. An early champion of Arizona wines, he volunteered during harvest in Napa to learn winemaking. He returned to Arizona to open FnB Restaurant in Scottsdale with chef Charleen Badman and built a wine list that promoted Arizona wines. The FnB wine list garnered a prestigious James Beard Award nomination for Outstanding Beverage Program. With Los Milics Vineyards, he has realized his dream not just to curate, but to create, uniquely Arizona wines.

Ita, born and raised in the 5th region of Chile, Villa Alemana, Ita is the daughter of Doña Margarita and Don Marco Gomez, whom she refers to as her pillars in life. Mom to a beautiful boy named Renato, who came into her life at age twenty-two. Early on, she discovered a love for plants and nature, a gift passed on from both her grandmothers, Celinda and Hayde. After finding the love of her life, Pavle, she relocated to the United States where the two families were joined: Ita, Renato and Pavle’s kids. She further developed her passion and skills in viticulture through the UC Davis satellite course and working with mentors Kelly and Todd from Dos Cabezas winery. Since 2018, she has been deeply involved in both vineyard and cellar responsibilities with Pavle.

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.