Virginia Wineries To Lead Themed Cruise

California wineries have been taking the lead on themed cruises for quite some time; escorting guests around the world on breathtaking wine cruises. Joining the trend are Virginia wineries Pearmond Cellars and Wineries of LaGrange and Philip Carter Winery of Hume.

Pearmond Cellars started the ball rolling when they led a wine cruise earlier in 2009. Beginning in beautiful Rome and sailing to Barcelona, 84 guests that were wine enthusiasts went along on Oceania Cruises, visiting some of the best wine regions in Europe. The themed cruise was so popular that the owners, Chris and Lisa Pearmond, have announced plans to return in 2010, this time leading a river cruise. The Rhone River will provide the means of transport through Burgundy and Provence on board the River Royal of Uniworld. Making the trip even more special is a complimentary shore excursion at each port, courtesy bicycles and dinner will include complimentary wine. As is traditional with a wine cruise, the River Royal will also feature wine tasting and a cocktail reception.

A wine cruise sailing from Barcelona to Rome will be led by the Philip Carter Winery in April of 2010; a first for the owner and vintner of the Virginia winery, Philip Strother. Hosting the Oceania cruise complete with wine tastings and a pairing of food and wine for dinner, Mr. Strother also plans to offer a lecture series for guests detailing how to run a winery. An additional point of interest on the cruise will be the historical review of wineries in Virginia, dating back to colonial days.

Fares for these wine themed cruises begin at $2,799 for the Pearmond river cruise, and $2,699 for the Philip Carter cruise. Both cruise fares include roundtrip airfare from select gateways, gratuities, soft drinks, onboard wine themed activities and more. A deposit for each of the cruises will be required; $750 for Philip Carter Wineries, with $700 of that deposit to be refunded before the final payment is made if the cruise is cancelled for any reason, and only $200 for the Pearmond river cruise.

The success of wine themed cruises has been so great, it can only be presumed that the trend will continue, with perhaps more state wineries leading the way.