ATLANTA, Jan. 27, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From May 28 through June 2, 2012, Fine Food and Wine Cruise is partnering with Washington State University's (WSU) alumni and friends to offer an unforgettable journey not just for the travelers, but for their taste buds as well. This private Mediterranean cruise allows WSU alumni and guests to enjoy an intimate and collegiate environment with Celebrity Chef John Sarich, Chateau Ste. Michelle's Culinary Director, and wines provided by Chateau Ste. Michelle, Gordon Brothers Family Vineyards and DeLille Cellars.
"Our cruises offer guests a unique ambience that is casual yet upscale," says Fine Food and Wine Cruise Co-founder Jonathan Baltuch. "For this particular cruise, we are turning the Wind Surf ship into a WSU at sea, complete with a fun and festive environment."
The Windstar Wind Surf will be reserved exclusively for WSU alumni and friends who will enjoy five nights of great wines and amazing food during special winemaker tasting dinners. The cruise also features the opportunity to meet and speak with world-renowned WSU Viticulture and Enology Director Thomas Henick-Klingy, faculty from the Viticulture and Enology program, members of the Alumni Association and Wine-by-Cougars Wine Club winery owners. Proceeds from the cruise will benefit the WSU Viticulture and Enology program.
"The Fine Food and Wine Cruise is the ideal setting for Cougars to reunite and form new connections," says Henick-Klingy. "I'm looking forward to sampling and discussing the wines we'll be having from wineries owned by WSU alumni and friends."
The full itinerary for the cruise includes visits to Nice, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Livorno, Portoferraio and Rome. Guests fly into Nice, France, and fly out of Rome, Italy. Each Mediterranean port features an eclectic mix of historic, romantic and adventure-based shore excursions.
The Super Inclusive package available on this party at sea includes the following:
- All meals and snacks aboard ship
- Special gourmet wine tasting dinners prepared by Celebrity Chef John Sarich
- Wines selected especially for the cruise flowing freely throughout the day and night
- Special guest vintners wine tasting events
- Live entertainment each night
- Educational and instructional seminars on wine, food and ports of call
- 24 hour room service
- Two special cocktail parties with complimentary drinks and appetizers
- Water sports at the Windsurf marina including water skiing, sailing and kayaking (weather permitting)
- Airport transfers in Nice and Rome
One of the highlights of this cruise, as with all Fine Food and Wine Cruises, is the signature gourmet cuisine. Sarich will be on board to produce palate pleasing dishes to be paired with wines that will enhance and complement each course. Along with being a celebrated chef, Sarich is also a restaurateur and author and has hosted food and travel television programs. Currently, he conducts cooking classes, wine and food tastings, wine dinners and special events at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Sarich's fifth cookbook, Chef in the Vineyard, was released in 2010.
Sarich will be joined by his colleague at Chateau Ste. Michelle, Head Winemaker Bob Bertheau; both will work together to create perfect meals paired with the perfect wines.
"Being able to educate others on the joys of food and wine is a passion of mine," says Sarich. "And doing so on while on a luxurious cruise throughout the Mediterranean is truly the experience of a lifetime," he adds.
Windstar's luxury small ship concept features casual attire, alternative dining areas and a "pampering without pretence" service style. The Windstar Wind Surf bridges the gap between casual-luxe and adventure cruising, and its unique features include 31 deluxe suites, two bridge deck suites, The Yacht Club, Degrees, The Terrace Bar, an on-board library and Internet center, an array of health and fitness programs, and the nearly 10,000-square-foot WindSpa. Staterooms and suites offer ocean views, a sitting area, new LCD flat screen TVs, DVD and CD players, iPod Nanos and Bose SoundDocks systems, a safe, mini-bar/refrigerator, international direct-dial phones, an abundance of closet space, and a bathroom with pampering toiletries, robes and a hair dryer.
Only 146 cabins are available for sale, so interested cruisers are encouraged to register as soon as possible at www.finefoodandwinecruise.com. Rates for this cruise start at $2,700 per person. For more information, call 800-218-6031 or email info@foodandwinecruise.com.
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