Wine Wanderings Paris/Seine Wine River Cruise - April 2025 - Announcement
Cruise with Tricia Conover on AmaWaterways Paris-River Seine- Normandy Beaches - Monet's Garden - Enjoy French and US Wines with Lucas and Lewellen Vineyards, Santa Barbara Wine Region
All Wine Wanderings Subscribers! You are invited to cruise together with me and Mike Lewellen on AmaWaterways, AmaDante ship, “Impressions of the Seine & Paris,” April 5, 2025, for 7 nights. This Paris - River Seine - Monet Gardens-Normandy Beaches excursion celebrates the old-world wines of France and the new-world wines of California’s Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards.
“I love the inclusive approach to river cruising offered by AmaWaterways as wine tastings, shore excursions, bike tours, fitness, and premium wines are all complementary.The wines onboard are expertly paired by AmaWaterways chefs with their exceptional cuisine. It will be a privilege for me to cruise with my fellow wine enthusiasts.” - Tricia Conover, Editor
My first cruise with AmaWaterways occurred in 2019 on the Rhine River and was magnificent. I am thrilled to host Wine Wanderings subscribers while offering additional “WW-only” wine tastings and dinners. Mike Lewellen will be onboard with us leading insightful wine and travel discussions. His Santa Barbara-area award-winning wines will be featured alongside their French counterparts.
Wine Wanderings subscribers are being offered the first chance to register for this special cruise, “Impressions of the Seine & Paris Wine Cruise.” We have reserved a set of staterooms for Wine Wanderings subscribers on this 144-passenger ship. We are holding several Zoom Q&A informational sessions in the next several months to personally answer your questions. The first informational session August 8, 2024, 6:30 CDT, 4:30 PDT. I’ll hold another session for all my European and Pacific subscribers April 14, 2024 4 PM CET. Click the button below for cruise information, registration, and pricing.
Register here for our informational session. Click August 8 and choose 6:30 CDT.
Ports of Call with Complementary Immersive Tours, Hikes, and Biking Choices
(Pre and post-cruise destinations, Paris transportation, and additional tours can be selected.)
*Paris (2 days) - Enjoy the City of Lights from the perspective of a river ship a the Port de la Bourdonnais, on the banks of the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, Musée du Vin, and other iconic buildings, monuments, and museums.
*La Roche - Mantes-la-Jolie - Sample the region’s famous apple-based Calvados brandy, cider and cheese while touring beautiful distinctive Gothic architecture, chateaux, or even a bee farm.
*Vernon - La Roche -Giverny: Multiple excursion choices are offered including tours of nature parks with waterfalls, bridges, canals, castle ruins, or visit Monet’s magnificent gardens in Giverny.
*Rouen - Tour medieval Rouen with several excursion choices. See the square where Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France, was martyred. Delve into the once “haunted” Château de Bonnemare, or go on the “Tastes of Normandy” tour featuring flavors of the region.
*Le Havre - Caudebec-en-Caux -Bayeux - visit the world-renowned Bayeaux Tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman Invasion of England. See the Château de Caen, an 11th-century castle built by William the Conqueror. Visit the Musée Seine, a museum focusing on the history of the Seine River.
*Le Havre (2 days)- choices of excursions include a full day excursion to see the historic Normandy beaches storme during D-Day invasion and the WWII landings, including Omaha beach and the Colleville-sur-mer cemetery. Visit the seaside town of Honfleur, renown for its picturesque harbor, or join a guided city bike tour of UNESCO-designated Le Havre sights and taste its regional delicacies.
Wine Wanderings-Only Subscriber Benefits
Wine Tastings: Indulge in two wine tastings hosted by renowned North American winemaker, Mike Lewellen, and me designed to elevate your wine knowledge and expand your palate. Explore the vibrant flavors of California's New World wines contrasted with the timeless elegance of France's Old-World classics. It's the perfect opportunity to savor and compare wines in a beautiful setting.
Wine-Paired Dinner: Enjoy a gourmet Chaine des Rotisseurs dinner where each course is thoughtfully paired with the perfect wine, creating a harmonious dining experience.
Exclusive Event for Our Group: As part of the Wine Wanderings group, you will have access to a special Chef’s Table dinner hosted by me personally. This exclusive event offers an intimate setting to enjoy a meticulously crafted tasting menu paired with premium wines.
Wine Excursions: Discover exclusive wine excursions along the Seine River, showcasing renowned vineyards and offering unparalleled insights into France's rich winemaking heritage and terroir.
About AmaWaterways
Founded in 2002 AmaWaterways is a top luxury, family-owned river cruise lines vacation company providing 5-Star river cruise vacations on the most breathtaking waterways of Europe, Africa, Asia including the Danube, Douro, Rhône, Garonne, Seine, Main, Mosel, Rhine, Mekong, and Chobe rivers.
About Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards
Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards is a pioneering, award-winning winery with estate vineyards located on 400 acres in the distinctive and separate climate subregions of Santa Barbara County: Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos Valley, and Santa Maria Valley. Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards have three major wine labels, two popular tasting rooms and distribute wine in 14 countries and 25 US states. The grape varieties grown came from cuttings brought from Europe decades ago from the Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Rhône regions of France, and several regions of Italy.
About Tricia Conover
Tricia Conover, DipWSET®, CSS, AWE C.W.P. is a freelance wine and travel writer. She is the Editor, Wine Wanderings newsletter on Substack. Tricia is the contributing wine editor for PRiME Magazine, FWT- Food Wine Travel Magazine of the IFWTWA freelance writer for JustLuxe.com - a Luxury Travel Magazine, the SommJournal, Signature Bride and LuxeGetaways Magazines. Tricia is a Certified Wine Professional and has the WSET® Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Diploma of Wine Certification Level 4 graduate and a CSS, Certified Spirits Specialist, Society of Wine Educators, American Wine Expert.
Recommended Wines
2021 Lucas & Lewellen Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County/Los Alamos Valley, $25
Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points
2019 Lucas & Lewellen Estate Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez Valley, $64
Wine Enthusiast, “Editor’s Choice,” 92 Points
2020 Lucas & Lewellen Hidden Asset Red Blend, Santa Barbara County, $34
34% Malbec, 28% Merlot, 24% Syrah, 11% Petite Sirah, 3% Cabernet Franc
LA Wine Competition, 91 Points
2022 Lucas & Lewellen Estate Viognier, Santa Barbara County, $29
BEST OF SHOW, 98 Points, 2023 Central Coast Wine Competition
Join Us for the Wine River Cruise Information Zoom Call, August 8, 2024, 6:30 PM CDT or August 14, 2024 4 PM CET/Europe with AmaWaterways and Tricia Conover
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar
Celebrating the Olympics with Rosé
Grower Champagnes – Why are They the Darlings of Champagne? (WH)
April 5, 2025 Wine River Cruise – Paris & Seine/Normandy Information Session August. 8, 2024 on AmaWaterways or August 14, 2024 4 PM CET/Europe
The Loire Valley: Touring Chateau Chenonceau
The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 Revisited with a Tribute to both Chateau Montelena and Warren Winiarski
Book Review and Interview: “Strong Water: On Food, Wine, and Restaurants,” by Tim Gaiser, MS
Two Surprising Wineries of the Loire Valley: Montdomaine and Ambacia, Ancient Sites with Modern, Organic Approaches
Understanding Right Bank Bordeaux: Pomerol and St. Emilion
10 Tips for Planning Your Next Trip to Paris
Restaurants of Napa Valley
Book Review: Big Macs and Burgundy