Embark on an enchanting journey through the famed Bordeaux region, where centuries of winemaking traditions meet breathtaking landscapes and iconic châteaux. With AmaWaterways river cruises, the "Taste of Bordeaux" itinerary promises an unforgettable experience that combines the finest wines, luxurious accommodations, and enchanting discoveries.
Your journey begins as you board the elegant river cruise ship, boasting modern comforts and panoramic views of the picturesque scenery that unfolds along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. With Artiste Winery and ForFriends Inn & Village as your hosts, you can expect a truly unique and immersive wine-centric experience.
Throughout the cruise, you'll have the opportunity to sample exquisite wines from Artiste winery, handpicked exclusively for this voyage, meet the winemaker himself, Bion Rice, and mingle with the owners of ForFriends Inn & Village, Dave and Katie Pollock.
Third generation winemaker Bion Rice’s great grandfather grew grapes for the Inglenook Winery in the 1890’s. His grandfather remembered picking grapes on that vineyard as a boy. When his parents planted a 25-acre vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley in 1990, the legacy continued. After five years of harvesting, cellar work, and enology training under renowned winemaker Daniel Gehrs, Bion produced his first solo-vintage as Head Winemaker in 1997 at his family’s Sunstone Vineyard and Winery in Santa Ynez.
Having studied art and filmmaking in college, Bion wanted to fuse his passion for art and wine in an innovative way. In 1999, he produced the first vintage of Artiste featuring the art of James-Paul Brown on the front label, inspiring Bion to start his own winery. Artiste’s “Tasting Studio” was opened in 2003, and it quickly became a must-experience destination for wine enthusiasts who also appreciate art. The tasting experience included painting on large easels with canvases, art journaling, and wine blending classes.
Artiste became the home of “Art Inspired Wines,” an approach to blending wine that Bion invented, developed, and perfected. He artfully blends wines in response to the emotional, instinctual, thought-provoking, and sometimes synesthetic experiences derived from artworks, translating a visual medium into the senses: aromas, flavors, and mouth-feel. Every wine is a limited-edition work of art itself and is never replicated.
ForFriends Inn & Village is a 14-room boutique hotel located in Santa Ynez, CA - the gateway to Santa Barbara Wine Country. Founded by Dave and Katie Pollock along with two close friends in 2012, ForFriends quickly established itself as the destination for couples who enthusiastically enjoy the gifts of wine, music, and friendship. ForFriends is consistently ranked as the #1 Bed & Breakfast in the Santa Ynez Valley with 5-star ratings on Trip Advisor, Google, Yelp, and all major online travel agencies.
Dave and Katie met while in high school in Flagstaff, AZ, where they also attended Northern Arizona University. Married while at NAU, Dave and Katie have enjoyed traveling extensively both domestically and aboard over the years while sharing their adventures with their three wonderful children. Throughout their careers (Dave as an engineer and business executive, Katie as a finance executive) and now as very-involved owners of ForFriends, they’ve always approached life and work with an eye towards creating and sharing wonderful experiences with others. On this point, ForFriends still subscribes to its original mantra to ‘Arrive As Guests, Leave As Friends’.
“Katie and I are looking forward to our 3rd river cruise with AmaWaterways which will be even more special since we’re sharing it with our guests and our good friends at Artiste”.
This is current per person pricing, based on double occupancy, at time of publication. PRICING WILL CHANGE BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024.
AmaWaterways Cruise Only Prices*
Suite (255 sq. ft.): $6,529 per person (2 left)
Cat. A+ (225 sq. ft.): SOLD OUT
Cat. A (170 sq. ft.): $5,299 per person
Cat. B (170 sq. ft.) : $5,129 per person
Cat. C (170 sq. ft.) : $4,829 per person
Cat D (170 sq. ft.): $3,729 per person
Cat. E (170 sq. ft.): $3,430 per person
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME UNTIL BOOKED.
*pricing includes port fees and already reflects the $250 per person discount for booking through this group PLUS AmaWaterways' wine discount promotion of $750 per person (for a total of $1,000 off per person).
Past AmaWaterways Guests: Above rates are combinable with standard past guest discounts and benefits.
A passport booklet with at least 6 months remaining on it from date of return to the United States is required to travel.
Extra costs: shipboard crew and tour guide gratuities, onboard shopping, spa treatments, beverage in the lounge outside of cocktail hour, cocktails other than wine and beer at lunch and dinner, flights, and travel insurance.
Ship Fact Sheet & Deck Plans https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amadolce-river-cruise-ship
AmaWaterway's Optional Pre-Cruise Land Package
4-night extension in Spain, 3/30/25 - 4/03/25: two nights in Bilbao and two nights in San Sebastian for an additional $1,320 per person.
Land pricing includes daily breakfast, city tours, the cruise manager with you, and the transfer to the ship.
AmaWaterway's Optional Post-Cruise Land Package
3-night extension in France, 4/19/25-4/13/25: two nights in Loire Valley and one night in Paris, for an additional $1,485 per person.
Land pricing includes the transfer from the ship, daily breakfast, city tours, and the cruise manager with you.
Cruise Deposit
All reservations are subject to availability upon receipt of full names and $400 per person deposit (of which 50% is immediately non-refundable). Remaining balance is due 90 days prior to sailing.
Flights
I can provide a quote for flights through AmaWaterways once we are within 300 days of departure. The non-refundable air deposit is $350 per person for economy/premium economy or $600 per person for business/first class. Remaining balance will be due 90 days prior to sailing.
If you do not want to book flights through AmaWaterways, then please book on your own directly with the airlines. Please make sure you have at least a 2 1/2 hour layover on the way to Europe and at least a 3 hour layover on your return to the United States if your layover is in the United States.
AmaWaterway's Terms & Conditions: https://www.amawaterways.com/terms-conditions
Silverleaf Travel's Terms & Conditions:
https://silverleaftravel.com/termsandconditions
Kim Covert, Owner & Lead Travel Designer
Email: kim@silverleaftravel.com
Tel: 480-704-4022
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Arizona time
Weekends on appointment only