@pontac The wines were quite good. We did not know much about Bordeaux before this, so it was quite an education. We are definitely converts. I think we would DIY with a local guide next time, especially if the other river cruise companies visit the same vineyards. Although we really like the unpack once travel that cruising offers.
It was a wine cruise and the last Bordeaux cruise of the 2023 season. This was our first river and Ama cruise, so can't speak to the US host question. It was not a special charter or anything like that. However, we are signed up for a 2024 Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps cruise next November that also includes US hosts (David Lauer & Krista Lauer of Bryn Mawr Vineyards, Salem OR).
The host, Mark, was quite knowledgeable and always available to chat. This was his 80th trip to Bordeaux and 100th trip to France, so he knew the area quite well. This it the info provided by Ama in our docs:
"This cruise will be hosted by Mark A. Newman, CEO of Accolade Brands Inc. & SteakHouse Vineyards in Santa Lucia Highlands, CA. In addition to producing wine in California, Mark also has produced wine in the Loire Valley in France called Perle de Mer Muscadet. Additionally, Mark has recently judged with Gambero Rosso for the prestigious Tre Bicchieri awards in Rome, Italy.
In his over 40 years in the wine industry, he has owned the largest wine & spirits retail chain in Arizona, held key California winery positions as well as senior level executive positions in the wine distributing business. He received his education at the University of Southern California and is a member of several wine industry trade groups. Mark was inducted into the prestigious Commanderie de Bontemps du Medoc et Graves recognizing his years of dedication to the Bordeaux wine industry, and is Maitre-Conseil of Gastronomy, an honor bestowed by the French Minister of Agriculture, a member of the Society of Wine Educators. Mark has judged the Los Angeles International Wine Competition for 26 consecutive years, and he also judges the California State Fair, the San Diego International Wine Competition, and the San Diego Toast of the Coast Competition."
I forgot to mention that, although the bar by the glass offerings were the regular ones, you could purchase the Bordeaux wines by the bottle.