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< Back to all newsAuberge du Soleil & Patz & Hall Caribbean Cruise aboard Silversea Cruise Line
October 2009
Auberge du Soleil & Patz & Hall Wine Co. Caribbean Cruise aboard Silversea Cruise Line. Carmel Valley, CA, October 1, 2009 Robert Curry, Executive Chef at Auberge du Soleil, St. Helena, CA will be joined on a luxurious culinary and wine cruise by James Hall and Anne Moses of Patz & Hall Wine Company in Napa Valley, California. They will sail on v1007 from March 17 to 24, 2010. This 7-day journey on the Silver Cloud travels roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Barts and the British Virgin Islands.
The travel industry is hard hit with the current economic downturn, making it a buyer’s market and the perfect time to sample luxury at moderate pricing. Fares to be a part of the Auberge du Soleil & Patz & Hall cruise group start at $2,638, 60% off of regular fares, and currently includes free economy air from 22 US cities!
Chef Curry, Mr. Hall and Ms. Moses will be offering a number of private complimentary activities for their onboard guests, including food and wine pairings, cooking demonstrations, tastings, lectures, and a winemaker dinner. They have selected Silversea not only because it is the exclusive cruise member of Relais & Chateaux (of which Auberge du Soleil is a member), but also for the ambience created through their 5-star, ultra-luxe ships, all-suite and all-inclusive nature, intimate size, service ratio, and added amenities.
Silversea has been ranked the “Best Small Ship Cruise Line in the World” by readers of Condè Nast for nine years. Guests will have all the privacy they desire in their ocean-view suites (80% of which have private balconies) and all the entertainment of a large ship without the size and hordes of people. These smaller ships are also able to visit remote, small and shallow ports that large ships must forgo.
"Our Wine & Culinary Series cruises are a great way for guests to broaden their understanding and appreciation for one of life's most cherished luxuries – gourmet dining and fine wines," said Michael Mastrocola, Owner of Millennium and 30 year travel veteran, who works with Silversea, Patz and Hall and Auberge du Soleil to create these voyages. “We've invited top experts from some of the world's most acclaimed vineyards, restaurants and wineries to visit and interact with our guests, guiding them through entertaining tastings and lectures that add a unique and enriching dimension to their cruise experience."
James Hall adds, “We are delighted to showcase our Patz & Hall wines aboard Silversea and are thrilled to be able to pair them with Chef Curry’s cooking. Silversea’s affluent international clientele are the perfect compliment to our existing market. Our guests will enjoy the unique opportunity and benefit of sampling our favorite wines while exploring exotic coasts and ports aboard the finest cruise line afloat.”
For more information and to be included in all exclusive wine and culinary events with added amenities at the lowest prices it is essential to contact Michael Mastrocola, www.mmtravel.net, msmastrocola@sbcglobal.net or at (831) 659-0151.
Candace Lutian
Millennium Travel
(831) 659-0151
(831) 659- 0171 Fax
www.mmtravel.net
71 West Carmel Valley Road, Suite 204
Carmel Valley, CA 93924
ABOUT AUBERGE RESORTS
Auberge Resorts is a collection of exceptional hotels, resorts and private clubs, each with a unique personality that assures a memorable guest experience. Among the distinctive properties are Auberge du Soleil, Napa Valley; Esperanza, Cabo San Lucas; Calistoga Ranch, Napa Valley; The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina; Encantado, Santa Fe; Rancho Valencia Resort and Spa, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. and Pond Bay opening in December on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with several others currently in development. While Auberge Resorts nurtures the individuality of each establishment, all are characterized by a set of communal elements: intimate, understated elegance; captivating locations that inspire exceptional cuisine and spa experiences; and gracious yet unobtrusive service. For more information about Auberge Resorts, please visit www.aubergeresorts.com.
About Chef Robert Curry
As Executive Chef of Auberge du Soleil, Robert Curry oversees all culinary aspects of the renowned Napa Valley inn and landmark restaurant. Curry brings to the Auberge a passion for cuisine cultivated at award-winning restaurants in the Valley, on both coasts and in Europe. Prior to joining Auberge du Soleil in spring of 2005, Robert Curry made a respected name for himself at the following locations: Greystone Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena; the Flying Fish Café; Domaine Chandon in Yountville; and Citrus Restaurant. In the late ‘90s, he traveled the world to study cuisine, working with Alain Ducasse at his three-star Louis XV in the Hotel de Paris; with Joseph Thuet at the Moët & Chandon Résidence de Trianon in Epernay, France; and in Paris at the two-star Michel Rostang.
To achieve their goal of crafting exceptional limited-production wines, the four founders of Patz & Hall (Donald & Heather Patz and James Hall and Anne Moses) have each focused their specialized knowledge, expertise and daily attention to different areas of the winery's operations. This integrated, hands-on approach, along with a commitment to developing close personal relationships with a handful of California 's finest growers, has become the cornerstone of the winery's success—allowing Patz & Hall to continually realize the highest levels of quality and consistency. http://www.patzhall.com/
James Hall
For two decades, founder and winemaker James Hall has guided the Patz & Hall winemaking program, instilling it with his own boldness, imagination and trademark perfectionism. Combining a belief in great viticulture, traditional winemaking practices, and the judicious use of innovative techniques, James has earned a reputation for crafting dramatic benchmark Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that balance vibrant power with vineyard-inspired depth and sophistication. A master of his craft, and a widely respected veteran winemaker, James is regularly asked to speak about artisan winemaking.
Anne Moses
As a gifted enologist, Anne Moses has spent nearly two decades helping to craft Patz & Hall’s acclaimed portfolio of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, and as the winery’s president from 1988 until 2005, Anne possesses an intimate understanding of the many details that have shaped Patz & Hall’s success. A passionate lover of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Anne has traveled widely throughout France, exploring the rich winemaking traditions of Burgundy and other important wine regions. In addition, Anne constantly augments her comprehensive wine knowledge by regularly evaluating wines from around the world with Master Sommelier candidates.
ABOUT MILLENNIUM
Michael Mastrocola has developed worldwide contacts in the luxury travel industry for over three decades, working with many high-end hotels, restaurants and tour groups. Michael Mastrocola’s Millennium Travel are experts in creating theme cruises. His tours specialize in Culinary and Wine exploration while shunning the traditional tour group feel. Guests are encouraged to expand their senses and experiences via educational discussions, tastings and demonstrations and to take their journey at their own leisure.
Michael has worked with many prominent wineries, restaurants and organizations, pairing them with the finest cruise lines in the world to stimulate the senses and the mind and offer a rewarding bonus to a well deserved vacation. Customers include Heitz Cellars, Duckhorn Wine Company, the Escoffier Family, Quintessa, Shafer Vineyards, and PlumpJack Winery. He is also a member of the AIWF Board of Directors, Monterey Bay Chapter and is Director Emeritus of American Musical Theater of San Jose. www.mmtravel.net
ABOUT SILVERSEA
In 1994 Silversea Cruises inaugurated two, 6-star rated ships the Cloud and Wind, each with only 296 guests. In 2004, the all-suite luxury sister ships Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper came aboard with 382 guests. In 2008 Silversea inaugurated the only Luxury Expedition ship, the Prince Albert II, destined for Antarctica and Polynesian islands. In 2009 the launch of the new Silver Spirit continues to exceed expectations with award-winning service excellence and sophistication with new features and amenities aboard vessels catering to just 540 guests. In addition to introducing two new vessels in 2008 and 2009, the Silver Cloud and Silver Wind are both being completely remodeled this year.
With less than 500 guests onboard, Silversea has been rated the “Best Small Ship Cruise Line in the World” for nine years by the readers of Condè Nast Traveler magazine, and nearly as many by the readers of Travel & Leisure.www.silversea.com http://www.silversea.com/silversea.aspx?id=834&page_id=Aboutsilversea
