Hosted by Jason Long and Long Cellars
Long Cellars is a boutique winery in Woodinville, Washington that has been evolving for over 16 years. Jason became involved in the wine industry in 2008 when he began assisting several Woodinville wineries. Working with them taught Jason how to appreciate, make, and sell wine while simultaneously incorporating fun and laughter. In 2009, Jason produced his first vintage of wine and has never looked back. The primary mission at Long Cellars is to produce fine wines using Bordeaux varietals from some of the most reputable vineyards in Washington. There is also an underlying mission – incorporating a fun and comfortable social setting, which is why the slogan “connecting good people with fine wine” is part of the winery.
Currently, Jason is sourcing fruit from two of the most notable A.V.A.s in the state: Red Mountain and Yakima Valley. Over the years, Jason has focused on producing single varietal and blended wines using all 6 red Bordeaux varietals. Between the Washington state terroir and Jason’s careful and unique winemaking style, Long Cellars wine exudes a classic and powerful New World style. This journey has led to 25 wines receiving a score of 90 or more points.
DAY 1 Bordeaux
EMBARKATION - Embark the ship for your Taste of Bordeaux cruise.
DAY 2 Bordeaux / Libourne
Welcome to Libourne, a gateway to one of Bordeaux’s most elite wine regions. Join an excursion to Saint Émilion, known for its celebrated vineyards, and while here, explore the monolithic church carved out of one piece of limestone rock, and then go under the church to discover its catacombs and caves. Afterwards, enjoy a Grand Cru Classé wine tasting at either Château de Ferrand or Château de Pressac. Alternately, you can enjoy an excursion to Saint-Émilion solely to discover more of the small historic town. If you prefer a more active adventure, pedal through the vineyard-rich countryside to Saint-Émilion.
- Morning scenic cruising
- Saint-Émilion excursion and Grand Cru Classé wine tasting
OR Saint-Émilion Excursion
OR Saint-Émilion bike tour
DAY 3 Libourne
Stroll through the colorful, open-air market, tasting some of the region’s specialties. Or, you can get your heart pumping by venturing deeper into town by hiking through one of Libourne’s renowned vineyards.
- Bastide town and market visit
OR Château Boutinet hike with wine and tapas tasting
DAY 4 Blaye / Bourg
Once in Blaye, you can join a tour of its 17th-century citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a more active excursion, take a bike ride around Blaye along a former railway. Later in the day, you can choose to bike from Blaye through the idyllic French countryside to Bourg. Or, in the ancient village of Bourg, take a walking tour and visit the Carriage Museum, which houses a wonderful collection of horse-drawn vehicles, and the World War II Petrol Cistern. Towards the evening, experience the hospitality of this charming medieval village with an exclusive wine festival. Meet the local wine growers and taste the fruits of their labors as well as enjoy live French music and dancing.
- Citadel visit
OR Blaye Chemin de Fer bike tour Blaye to Bourg bike tour
OR Bourg walking tour, Carriage Museum, and WWII Petrol Cistern
- Exclusive wine festival
DAY 5 Cussac Fort Medoc
Cussac-Fort-Medoc is a peaceful commune in southwestern France and your is gateway to the famed Médoc region, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Bordeaux wines. You will see some of the most beautiful and famous wine estates, including Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Pichon Longueville. You’ll then visit either Château Gruaud Larose or Château Léoville Poyferré for a tasting of Grand Cru wines. More active guests can hike through the vineyards of Château Margaux and taste local specialties. Alternatively, you may enjoy a drive along the coast to Soulac-sur-Mer where you’ll see unique sights, such as the Statue of Liberty and the Cordouan lighthouse known to be the oldest in France.
- Medoc Grand Cru Classé wine tasting and scenic vineyard tour
OR Margaux Vineyard hike and local specialties tasting
OR Soulac-sur-Mer excursion
DAY 6 Cadillac / Bordeaux
Visit the impressive Castle of Roquetaillade, an amazingly preserved masterpiece of medieval military architecture owned by the same noble family for 700 years and travel to the Sauternes wine region to either Chateau de Rayne Vigneau or Chateau Guiraud to taste the highly prized golden-hued sweet wines produced here. For those wishing to explore more of the history on the decadent castles, you can enjoy a visit to the Roquetaillade castle and Cadillac castle. Or, pedal through the charming town of Cadillac for a guided bike tour.
- Roquetaillade Castle with Sauternes wine tasting
OR Roquetaillade and Cadillac visit
OR Cadillac bike tour
DAY 7 Bordeaux
The breathtaking capital of the wine world, Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified as a “City of Art and History.” You’ll have an opportunity to experience much of the rich culture and architecture on a city tour followed by a visit to the famed indoor Les Halles de Bacalan market for a tasting of local specialties to please the palate. Bike enthusiasts will wish to join a tour along the city’s amazing network of bicycle paths. Depending on your interests, you have a choice from three excursions in the afternoon. Enjoy a visit to the immersive and interactive Bordeaux Wine Museum, housed in an awe-inspiring building. Alternately, be treated to a spectacular sound and light show, Les Bassins des Lumières. Or, explore the enriching city of Bordeaux at your own leisure.
- UNESCO city tour and market tasting
OR Bordeaux bike tour
- Bordeaux Cité du Vin (wine museum) visit
OR Bassins des Lumières
DAY 8 Bordeaux
DISEMBARKATION - Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home.
Land Journey Extension (Option)
Pre-Cruise: 2 Nights Bilbao, 2 Nights San Sebastian,
Post-Cruise: 2 Nights Loire Valley, 1 Night Paris Charles De Gaulle Post-Cruise
Begin your journey in the heart of Basque Country, Bilbao! Home to the world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao is a cultural hub for rich history and flavorful cuisine. Then enjoy two nights in the stunning seaside resort of San Sebastián before embarking on your river cruise journey in Bordeaux. From romantic walks to red wine, Bordeaux is the cultural capital of all that is quintessentially French. Follow wine's journey from countryside to cask as you tour centuries-old vineyards and taste Bordeaux's finest vintages throughout your river cruise experience. Step into living history when you visit historic Roquetaillade Castle and Château Boutinet, delighting in their elegant décor and regal architecture. Then, contrast their grandeur with the pastoral gems including the historic village of Saint-Émilion and the seaside resort of Soulac-sur-Mer. After disembarking, you will venture into the UNESCO-designated Loire Valley, the all-important "Garden of France." Journey to Amboise, the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci, before concluding your journey in the “City of Lights” which needs no introduction, Paris.
DAY-DESTINATION-ACTIVITIES
1 - BILBAO - Hotel checkin
2 - BILBAO - Guernica excursion “A City of Contrasts” walking tour and introduction to tapas
3 - BILBAO - Guggenheim Museum Hotel checkin Evening walk of Old Town
4 - SAN SEBASTIAN - “City by the Bay of Biscay” tour
5 - SAN SEBASTIAN - Transfer to Bordeaux via Bayonne EMBARKATION
5 to 12 - CRUISE FROM : BORDEAUX TO BORDEAUX
12 - BORDEAUX DISEMBARKATION - Transfer to Tours Free time for lunch Hotel checkin
13 - AMBOISE - Château de Chenonceau, Du Clos Lucé and Château d’Amboise
14 - AMBOISE - Hotel checkout Transfer to Paris; hotel checkin
15 - PARIS - Return flight home
COUNTRIES: FRANCE, SPAIN
RIVERS: GARONNE, DORDOGNE
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