Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) Meet the Winemaker program , which returns to select ships by popular demand, is now in its 2022 season. The onboard program offers exclusive opportunities to connect with winemakers and other experts through a variety of seminars and activities, including wine tastings and wine-paired dinners, interactive cooking demonstrations, and onboard meet-and-greets.
The experience will be available on select cruises aboard the Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy, and Norwegian Bliss. And, for the first time ever, the Meet the Winemaker will be available in Europe aboard the Norwegian Escape, sailing to the Greek islands and Italy on July 17 and October 12, 2022. The July event will be hosted by renowned winemaker Antonio Hidalgo of the acclaimed Spanish sherry house Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana. The October edition will be led by Sandro Bottega. Under his careful guidance, Bottega SpA has diversified to produce grappa, Prosecco, a wide range of sparkling wines, the great reds of Valpolicella and Tuscany, as well as Limoncino and sweet, creamy liqueurs.
Guests will have the opportunity to meet world-renowned winemakers and distillers and savor unique culinary experiences sponsored by Certified Angus Beef. With wine paired with each course, guests will learn from a master sommelier while enjoying the finest beef and learning from the NCL culinary team.
Harry Sommer, President and CEO of NCL, notes: “The Meet the Winemaker reflects our commitment to providing unique, high-quality offerings to our guests. We hope our guests enjoy this new edition of the popular program and leave with an unforgettable experience. We are very proud of this season’s guests and excited to bring the experience to Europe for the first time,” he concludes.
Each cruise features expertly selected vintage wines that are brought on board the ships for exclusive events.
The full lineup for the Meet the Winemaker in 2022 includes:
- March 6, 2022 – Norwegian Encore: Rob Mondavi Jr., son of Isabel and Michael Mondavi and fourth-generation Napa Valley winemaker
- April 2, 2022: Norwegian Escape: Chateau Lafite Rothschild (Lafite) Wine Dinner hosted by Diane Flamand, Winemaker, Bordeaux Collection Wines, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite).
- July 2, 2022 – Norwegian Bliss: Salvatore Ferragamo, since 1993, along with his father Ferruccio, have been responsible for preserving the Il Borro estate in Tuscany, Italy, producing world-class wines
- July 17, 2022 – Norwegian Escape: Antonio Hidalgo, from the world-renowned, family-owned Spanish sherry house – Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana
- July 24, 2022: Norwegian Encore: Opus One Wine Dinner hosted by Greg Miller, Opus One Sales and Marketing Manager
