Fine wines and luxury travel go hand in hand but can often be out of reach of most budgets. With a bit of research though, there are ways to combine these two for less than princely sums and cruising is at the top of the list. Options abound for those who simply want to try…

Read More

By David Skinner When Peter Jackson decided upon his native New Zealand to serve as middle earth for his rendering of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, nationalistic nepotism served him less than the splendor of the rich and varied landscapes found in his home islands. The films depicted rugged terrain and lands…

Read More

Nestled in a pastoral Oregon valley between the Cascade Mountains and the Coastal Range lies some of the best cool climate wineries in North America. While some would say the terroir of the Willamette Valley rivals that of Burgundy, that claim can only be tested when tasted. There are seven American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in…

Read More

In New Zealand the wine trail always seems to lead to one of Villa Maria’s cellar doors. The flagship brand is represented by over 60 labels but founder, Sir George Fistonich, has been adding other great regional wineries to the family with quality and diversity driving his search for excellence. Thornbury, one of the more…

Read More

Provence stands as Southern France’s glorious gateway to the viticultural and gastronomic treasures awaiting discovery along the Rhône River Valley. A river cruise from Provence to Burgundy is likely one of the best ways to experience these famous wine regions and cruising is the most leisurely and convenient way to uncover abundant appellations and epicurean…

Read More

Every morning around 10:00 the cloudy duvet that covers the Napa landscape begins to pull back and the valley awakens to herald another day in wine paradise. In the first few days of my sojourn to California’s most renowned wine region, it was hard to break the habit of my usual hectic schedule and realize…

Read More