Press Release

CRUISE WEST ADDS NAPA VALLEY, CALISTOGA AND ALAMEDA WINERIES TO 2004 SEASON OF CALIFORNIA WINE COUNTRY CRUISE ITINERARIES

May 11 2004 12:00AM

Seattle, May, 2004 -- Clos Du Val, a Napa Valley winery specializing in Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Chardonnay, Clos Pegase, a Calistoga winery known for its Cabernet, Chardonnay and Merlot, and Rosenblum Cellars on the East Bay island of Alameda, with its award-winning Zinfandels, have joined the prestigious group of vintners participating in Cruise West’s 2004 season of California Wine Country cruises from San Francisco. Highlights of the three- and four-night itineraries, detailed in a new California Wine Country brochure, include private dining in winery settings, storage-cavern tastings, and private tours of vineyards, wine museums and art collections amid distinguished architectural settings. Departures run September 17 through November 15 aboard Cruise West’s 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavour.

Both itineraries visit Benziger, Ledson and St. Supéry wineries. The three-night also visits Clos Du Val, Clos Pegase and Domaine Carneros while the four-night adds Schramsberg, Markham Vineyards, Viansa Winery & Italian Marketplace, Rosenblum Cellars and a wine-tasting at Bacchus and Venus wine and art gallery in downtown Sausalito. Cruising affords up-close views of Alcatraz, Angel Island and Tiburon’s hillside mansions.

Luncheon settings ashore feature a French Norman-style castle, an 1879 barrel room decorated with lighted trees and a cave theater with live music by a flamenco guitarist. Besides sipping champagne in century-old caverns and other unusual tasting rooms, passengers are treated to a vineyard tram-tractor outing high on Sonoma hillsides with panoramic views of valley vineyards, a tour of an 1882 Victorian House Museum (on the National Registry of Historic Places), time for shopping in a Tuscan-style marketplace and exploring the balconies, turrets, multiple fireplaces and fountains of the architectural extravaganza known as Ledson Castle. Evening wine tastings aboard the ship complement the day’s activities and are conducted by a local wine expert who sails with the cruise.

Viansa Winery & Italian Marketplace in Carneros focuses on Italian varietals. Guests will also get to sample their fine olive oils. The visit at Calistoga’s Clos Pegase, designed by Princeton architect Michael Graves, features a three-course Cave Theater luncheon plus time to explore the winery’s beautiful grounds and extensive art collection. At Clos Du Val, Cruise West guests are treated to a private tour and tasting -- the winery does not offer tours to the public -- and Cruise West is the only major tour company offering a wine country experience at Rosenblum Cellars.

Fall season fares are $699 to $1,399 per person, double for the three-nights and $1,049 to $1,899 for the four-night version. On-board wine tastings, shore excursions with meals and wine, transfers, taxes, port charges and fees are included. Guests can extend their stay in San Francisco with optional two-night, pre- or post-cruise hotel packages in Fisherman’s Wharf or Union Square, from $245. Single and triple cabin rates are also available.

Cruise West’s small-ship sailing offers passengers a relaxed shipboard life and shore adventures that bring them in closer contact with the destination. The Spirit of Endeavour has all outside cabins with private facilities, many with large picture windows; a panoramic forward lounge; plenty of outside deck space for viewing the stunning scenery; and a windowed dining room that accommodates all guests at a single seating. Casual dress and open seating contribute to the relaxed atmosphere.

Reservations, additional information and brochures can be obtained from travel agents and Cruise West, Suite 401, 2301 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121, telephone (800) 888-9378; fax (206) 441-4757; web site www.cruisewest.com

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Cruise West – a second-generation, family-owned business based in Seattle – offers the opportunity to explore remote, worldwide locales by providing distinctive, one-of-a-kind, personalized itineraries not offered by the traditional larger cruise lines. Cruise West’s smaller ships – nine in all – hold between 78-138 people each, and the casual style onboard encourages relaxation and congenial interaction between guests and crew alike. The experience is personally enriching through expert Exploration Leaders providing onboard narrative and lectures, special local guests from a wide variety of backgrounds, and the library provided on each vessel. All have forward lounges and ample outdoor deck space for viewing and photographing wildlife and scenery. All vessels are also equipped with inflatable landing boats for close-up exploration of remote areas and shore landings.

Destinations served include: Alaska and the Bering Sea, British Columbia, Columbia & Snake Rivers, California Wine Country, Mexico's Sea of Cortés, Costa Rica & Panama, Japan, the South Pacific, and the Kuril Islands.