Destination: 
California Wine Country

Admire views of the city's evening lights, Alcatraz, and Angel Island as you cruise up the bay. The next morning, fresh and relaxed, you're berthed far up the Napa River, ready for exploration. 
You'll enjoy frequent tastings and interactive discussions about the history and mystery of wine in between visits ashore to explore distinctive estates in Napa Valley, Sonoma and Carneros. You will enjoy special events, tastings, and meals, frequently in areas of the wineries that are off-limits to the casual drop-in visitor. You'll also have a chance to tour the architectural masterpieces that dominate many of these hillside estates. French chateaux, mission-style, Victorian-the variety is almost as rich as the wines. A wine expert will be on board throughout the whole cruise to enhance your experience, and a variety of special guests will speak as well, from winemakers to hospitality directors. 

These journeys are for both novices and connoisseurs alike who enjoy great scenery, congenial camaraderie and the opportunity to learn more about the culture of the vine.

Vintner's Choice 2007

5 days, 4 nights. Experience an epicure's sampler of the wine country's best. 

Indulge yourself in the wonderful world of California wine, on a leisurely cruise experience that takes you deep into the famed Napa and Sonoma wine valleys. You will also enjoy a day exploring Sausalito and beautiful San Francisco Bay. Both wine novices and connoisseurs will enjoy tastings and interactive discussions about the history, mystery and delicacies of wine.

• Tour Costs From: $1,949 pp
• 5 Days, 4 Nights
• Round Trip from San Francisco
• Departures: September, October 2007

Day 1 - SAIL FROM SAN FRANCISCO 
Prior to boarding the Spirit of Yorktown in San Francisco you will be transferred from San Francisco Airport to Cruise West’s hospitality area at the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf. Enjoy the delights of Fisherman’s Wharf until boarding time. You will be welcomed onboard with a flute of Champagne or Champagne punch and a toast as you cruise by the San Francisco skyline. Following a delicious dinner, gather in the lounge for a short presentation and casual conversation. Overnight, cruise up-bay to set the stage for a busy day in the Napa Valley. D

Day 2 - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NAPA VALLEY 
Note: you may visit today’s wineries in an alternate order. Winery selection is subject to change. You will be treated to a cooking demonstration, “Cooking With Wine,” by the chefs at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Greystone campus and have time to peruse their amazing cooking store. Lunch will be served at the world-renowned Auberge du Soleil restaurant perched on the slope of Rutherford Hill, affording an impressive view of the entire Napa Valley. This exclusive Cruise West lunch will feature food and wine pairings explained by the sommelier. 

Nestled along the historic Silverado Trail, Mumm Napa’s spectacular views can be seen while tasting from the glass-enclosed tasting salon or outside on the terrace. Later, you will head back to CIA for an engaging wine program (may include wine blending) taught by the professionals at Greystone. 

Back onboard ship enjoy a leisurely cocktail hour and a delicious dinner. BLD 

Day 3 - SAUSALITO 
Enjoy the relaxing morning sail into Sausalito. Brunch will be served onboard as the Spirit of Yorktown ties up near the charming seaside town of Sausalito, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. There will be time for you to walk and explore this artists’ town on your own. Additional optional activities include exploring the Bay Model, inflatable excursion craft tours of Richardson Bay, the Marin shipyard or shopping. Your day will end with a twilight bay cruise and onboard wine tasting. BLD 

Day 4 - CHOICES 
There will be time for shopping and exploring at the park-like Sonoma Plaza, the largest of its kind in California. The Plaza is an eight-acre square at the heart of Sonoma’s unique historical district. 

Or... For those of you who would like the opportunity to personalize your cruise by exploring one of your individual passions there will be optional tours available:

The Cabernet Lovers Limo Tour will visit three amazing wineries known for their high-end Cabernet Sauvignons: Quintessa, Silver Oak, and Joseph Phelps. (Wineries subject to change.)

 or – Enjoy an early morning hot air balloon ride over the lovely Napa Valley. 

or – Tour the olive grove at Round Pond during the harvest / press season. You will have a chance to see olive oil pressed, and taste it, while enjoying the music that accompanies the harvest workers.

Return to the Spirit of Yorktown for lunch. The afternoon will be filled visiting two wineries in Sonoma. At St. Francis you will be treated to food and wine pairings, touring, and tasting. St. Francis Winery is known for its Cabernets, Meritages, and Chardonnays. The Chateau St. Jean visit will include tasting and time to appreciate its magnificent gardens. This winery is known for its Cabernets and Chardonnays.

Back onboard the ship you will experience a leisurely cocktail hour with featured wines followed by a delicious dinner. BLD 

Day 5 - RETURN TO SAN FRANCISCO 
You will want to be out on deck early this morning to take in the view as we cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge before returning to the San Francisco pier for disembarkation. 

A transfer to San Francisco’s airport is included. See the box on the right for a delightful way to extend your stay in San Francisco. B 

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner

Culture of the Vine 2007

4 days, 3 nights. Treat yourself to a weekend escape for the senses. 

Sail away on a relaxing adventure on rarely cruised waterways. Surround yourself in the oasis of the Wine Country as you sample different varieties of wine, and tour some of the Napa, Sonoma and Carneros wine districts' favored wineries

• Tour Costs From: $1,299 pp
• 4 Days, 3 Nights
• Round Trip from San Francisco
• Departures: September, October 2007

Day 1 - SAIL FROM SAN FRANCISCO 
Transfer from San Francisco Airport to Cruise West’s Hospitality Suite at the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf. Enjoy the delights of Fisherman’s Wharf until boarding time.

You will be welcomed onboard with a flute of Champagne or Champagne punch and a toast as you cruise by the San Francisco skyline. Following a delicious dinner, gather in the lounge for a short presentation and casual conversation getting acquainted with your fellow travelers.D 

Day 2 - THE NAPA VALLEY EXPERIENCE 
Note: you may visit today’s wineries in an alternate order. Winery selection is subject to change.

 Explore the rich Carneros growing region where vines are bathed in sunlight by day and cooled by ocean breezes by night. Your optional early morning tour is a Napa Valley Balloon Excursion. Stop in lovely St. Helena, where you can shop, stroll and savor an inclusive tasting at Merryvale Winery. 

Enjoy a three-course lunch in the cave theatre at Clos Pegase. This exclusive Cruise West luncheon includes a tour and wine tasting. As well as producing excellent wines, Clos Pegase is well known for their extensive art collection and the fluid architecture of Michael Graves. 

Next stop is at Clos Du Val, where you will enjoy a unique tour of a premium winery in the Stags Leap appellation. At Clos Du Val, you will delight in tasting several excellent wines, including the Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay that this winery is famous for.

Later onboard the Spirit of Yorktown, enjoy a leisurely cocktail hour with featured wines followed by a delicious dinner. BLD 

Day 3 - SONOMA VALLEY 
Note: you may visit today’s wineries in an alternate order. Winery selection is subject to change. 

Today you will meet with the winemakers at Benziger Winery before boarding a private tractor-pulled tram for a ride through the vineyards and an up-close experience of the vines, later enjoying a little fruit of the vine. Lunch is served today at Viansa Winery & Italian Marketplace. You’ll enjoy the superb views as well as browsing through the Tuscan marketplace after lunch and tasting. 

Your day will wind down with a reception at Domaine Carneros associated with the famous Tattinger family, the notable producers of impressive Carneros Champagnes. You will be treated to a tour followed by Champagne and relaxation on the beautiful outside terrace that overlooks the Carneros landscape. Back onboard delight in the Captain’s Farewell Dinner with evening San Francisco Bay cruising. BLD 

Day 4 - RETURN TO SAN FRANCISCO 
You will appreciate the early morning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco’s waterfront before returning to the pier. A transfer is included to San Francisco’s airport or The Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf. B 

B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner