SEATTLE, Sept. 29, 2015 /CNW/ -- Wine connoisseurs and
novices alike can experience the art of winemaking at BLEND aboard
Holland America Line's new ms Koningsdam when the ship
debuts in April 2016. In
collaboration with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State's oldest and most acclaimed
winery, the intimate venue will enable guests to blend their own
wine and enjoy it at dinner or in the privacy of their
stateroom.
BLEND — the first of its kind for Holland America Line and the
only purpose-built wine-blending venue at sea — will have a tasting
table that accommodates 10 guests who can create their own blend
from a selection of five barrels of single-vineyard red wine. In
addition to participating in the blending process, guests also will
learn about wine from the ship's wine expert, who leads the
blending session.
"At the core of every Holland America Line cruise is our desire
to offer unique, immersive and innovative experiences, and BLEND by
Chateau Ste. Michelle is all of those things and more," said
Orlando Ashford, president of
Holland America Line. "The BLEND experience on Koningsdam is
designed to appeal to everyone, and it will be exciting for our
guests to create an exclusive wine tailored to their personal taste
that they can enjoy onboard with our exceptional cuisine."
After viewing a welcome video by Bob
Bertheau, Chateau Ste. Michelle's winemaker, guests will
learn interesting information about the history of Washington wines and winemaking, examine soil
samples, and see how different vineyard sites impact the flavors
and style of the wine. The Cellar Master also will instruct guests
on what characteristics, flavors and nuances to look for in the
wine from each barrel.
Guests then sample the five unique wines, featuring such
varietals as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot from the
winery's Cold Creek and Canoe Ridge Estate vineyards, and make
tasting notes on what they like about each. The blending begins in
a graduated cylinder, with guests determining how much of each wine
to include in their personal bottle.
After the personalized wine blend is put into the bottle with a
stopper, guests will be able to create their own label to add a
personalized touch. The wine will then be sent to The Dining Room
or another restaurant, where it will be waiting for the guests to
enjoy with their evening meal. Alternatively guests can take the
wine blend to their stateroom to enjoy at their leisure.
The wine blending sessions will be held daily for a fee, and
reservations are required.
About Chateau Ste. Michelle
Founded in 1934, Chateau
Ste. Michelle pioneered vinifera growing in Washington State and has been producing
classic European varietal wines under the Ste. Michelle label since
1967. The winery combines an ongoing dedication to research with a
commitment to classic winemaking traditions. The winery owns 3,500
acres of vineyards in the Columbia
Valley of eastern Washington, including Canoe Ridge Estate and
Cold Creek, which are LIVE and Salmon Safe certified as
environmentally sustainable. Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoys
winemaking partnerships with two of the world's most distinguished
vintners — Col Solare is an alliance with Tuscany's Piero
Antinori and Eroica Riesling is a partnership with the
Mosel's Ernst Loosen.
For more information about Holland America Line and
Koningsdam, consult a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL
HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
Editor's note: Renderings are available at
https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/xyl8chbs.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland
America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online
Communities quick link on the home page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 15
ships offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries,
territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries
visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South
America, Australia/New
Zealand and Asia voyages;
four annual Grand Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the
Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and the Panama Canal. The line
currently has a new 2,650-guest ship, ms Koningsdam, on
order for delivery in April 2016 from
Fincantieri shipyard, as well as a second Pinnacle Class ship due
for delivery in November 2018.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence
enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts
Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art
onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and
culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes —
Explorations Cafe powered by The New York
Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only
activity areas and all-new stateroom amenities highlighted by
flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-Top Mariner's Dream Beds.
CONTACT:
|
Sally
Andrews
|
PHONE:
|
800-637-5029
|
EMAIL:
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pr@hollandamerica.com
|
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SOURCE Holland America Line