Winesong Charity Auction and Destinations in Paradise

August 17, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Winesong’s 35th annual charity auction and tasting will take place September 6-7th. The event invites guests to sample the best of local cuisine and wines, while supporting the enhancement of comprehensive hospital services, and up-to-date equipment for the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. Since 1984, Winesong has brought natives and visitors together to engage in a weekend full of soothing and rhythmic instrumentals, exquisite art, world-class wines, and their lively charity auction.

The 35th annual Winesong Charity Auction & Tasting will take place at the stunning Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. The venue displays a collection of exotic and endangered flora and succulents overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Ticket holders will enjoy a diverse setlist of music genres ranging from folk to Latin. In addition, a variety of food and drink vendors will offer a large selection of luxurious and vintage wines, and local fare in the midst of a peaceful California oasis. Winesong’s main highlight is their large silent and live auctions, including original art from acclaimed California artists, as well as highly coveted international wine getaways and vacation packages. Only minutes away, Destinations in Paradise’s secluded oceanfront estate provides premier lodging for the ultimate weekend getaway to Mendocino, during Winesong or all year-round.

Experience the best of both worlds — ultimate tranquility with every modern-day convenience imaginable. Named “The Most Beautiful Community in the U.S.” by The LA Times, Mendocino is visually stunning from the mature redwood trees and crystal-clear beaches, to the only oceanfront botanical gardens in the U.S. The property is 27 miles from Camp Navarro, and at 6,385 square feet this hideaway features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, an award-winning chef’s kitchen, media room, private art gallery, and a separate guest wing.

About Winesong Charity Auction & Tasting

Winesong is an annual charity auction and wine and food tasting festival produced by the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation. Proceeds are used to enhance equipment, facilities and services at the Mendocino Coast District Hospital. The Diagnostic Imaging Center, Medical Evacuation Helipad, Out-Patient Surgical services, and Emergency Department Equipment are just a few of the vital areas that Winesong funds have enhanced. Since 1985, Winesong has raised over $8 million for improvements in local healthcare.

Stroll through the lush Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens while enjoying vintages poured by world-class wineries from Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and beyond, and food from some of the finest regional finest food purveyors. The tasting is accented by various music groups performing a variety of styles, including jazz, classical, blues, calypso and folk rock.

About Destinations in Paradise

Destinations in Paradise is a luxurious resort company with properties in Mendocino California, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Hawaii. Destinations in Paradise is a pristine getaway for any suave wanderer, couple or family. The perfect travel escape amidst panoramic natural scenery, the luxury retreats offer extraordinary experiences to guests, whether having a whale shark encounter, hiking in national parks, swimming with dolphins, art and wine festivals, enjoying contemporary and local art collections, and observing a rare sea turtle hatching release. Full service amenities such as a personal Paradise Butler are available to accommodate guests’ every need, helping them to achieve maximum relaxation during their stay.

Destinations in Paradise is a proud auction sponsor of Winesong Charity Auction & Tasting.To find out more about Destinations in Paradise, please visit: Destinations in Paradise.

For more information on Winesong, visit http://winesong.org/

http://www.mchfoundation.org/ or email winesong@mchfoundation.org.

Results of 2018 Airline Wine Competition Released

September 5, 2018 by evebushman

YARDLEY, PA. – Global Traveler, the only AAM-audited magazine for luxury business and leisure travelers, releases the results of its 15th annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Competition.

Photo from 2017 competition, Global Traveler.

The competition, held May 31, took place at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, in New York City. Expert judges participated in the blind tasting of 22 airlines’ white, red and sparkling wines. The judges hailed from a wide range of specialties, including sommeliers, wine shop owners and winemakers. In total, 18 Champagnes/sparkling wines, 39 white wines and 39 red wines were tasted.

Airlines are required to submit five different wines — two red wines, two white wines and one sparkling wine/Champagne — to be eligible for the overall Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing award or the Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing award. This year, the winner for Best International Business-Class Wines on the Wing was Delta Air Lines, and the winner for Best International First-Class Wines on the Wing was All Nippon Airways.

In the white wine category, Best International Business-Class White Wine was La Capra Chenin Blanc 2016, South Africa, submitted by Aeroflot. For first class, the winner was EL AL Israel Airlines with Yatir Winery Viognier 2015, Israel.

The best business-class Champagne was American Airlines’ Lanson Black Label Brut, NV. The best first-class Champagne was All Nippon Airways’ Krug Brut Champagne 2004.

When it came to red wine, American Airlines reigned supreme in the first-class category with Valduero Reserva 2012, Ribera del Duero, and United Airlines took the No. 1 business-class spot with Les Graviéres du Roy Sauvion 2016, France.

For the 10th consecutive year, Global Traveler awarded the Best North American Wines on the Wing. North American airlines submitted first-class and business-class wine samples, depending on their domestic flight offerings.

American Airlines was named Best North American First-Class/Business-Class Wines on the Wing, and also won for its red wine, Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Reserve Selection, Napa Valley, California, and its white wine, Joseph Drouhin Pouilly-Vinzelles 2015, Mâcon, France. JetBlue’s Raventós de Nit Brut 2015, Spain, won Best North American Champagne/Sparkling Wine.

For the seventh year, Global Traveler awarded the Best Alliance Wines on the Wing. The participating airlines were divided by airline alliance. The overall points for each airline were tallied and averaged to determine the alliance with the highest total. Congratulations to oneworld, represented by American Airlines, LATAM and British Airways.

Competition director Eunice Fried spent months preparing for the blind tasting. Fried, an accomplished wine journalist and respected wine expert, resides in New York City.

Global Traveler is the only U.S.-based publication to conduct such a survey in the United States.

The top airlines in each category are:

BEST INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS-CLASS WINES ON THE WING
1. Delta Air Lines
2. United Airlines
3. All Nippon Airways
4. Brussels Airlines
5. British Airways

BEST INTERNATIONAL FIRST-CLASS WINES ON THE WING
1. All Nippon Airways
2. British Airways
3. American Airlines
4. United Airlines

BEST CHAMPAGNE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS
1. American Airlines
2. Aeroflot
3. All Nippon Airways
4. United Airlines
5. Brussels Airlines

BEST CHAMPAGNE INTERNATIONAL FIRST CLASS
1. All Nippon Airways
2. American Airlines
3. British Airways

BEST WHITE WINE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS
1. Aeroflot
2. British Airways
3. British Airways
4. Delta Air Lines
5. Brussels Airlines

BEST WHITE WINE INTERNATIONAL FIRST CLASS
1. EL AL Israel Airlines
2. British Airways
3. All Nippon Airways
4. American Airlines
5. British Airways

BEST RED WINE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CLASS
1. United Airlines
2. Brussels Airlines
3. Alitalia
4. Alitalia
5. American Airlines

BEST RED WINE INTERNATIONAL FIRST CLASS
1. American Airlines
2. All Nippon Airways
3. British Airways/United Airlines (TIE)
4. United Airlines
5. EL AL Israel Airlines

BEST NORTH AMERICAN WINES ON THE WING
1. American Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. United Airlines
4. JetBlue

BEST NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPAGNE/SPARKLING WINE
1. JetBlue
2. Delta Air Lines/United Airlines (TIE)
3. American Airlines

BEST NORTH AMERICAN RED WINE
1. American Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. Delta Air Lines
4. United Airlines
5. United Airlines

BEST NORTH AMERICAN WHITE WINE
1. American Airlines
2. American Airlines
3. JetBlue
4. United Airlines
5. Delta Airlines

BEST ALLIANCE WINES ON THE WING
1. oneworld
2. SkyTeam
3. Star Alliance

For more information on the competition, check out the August 2019 issue of Global Traveler or visit globaltravelerusa.com.

About Global Traveler
With nearly 300,000 readers, Global Traveler connects with U.S.-based frequent, affluent, international travelers. According to MediaMark Research (MRI), GT readers have an average net worth of $2 million and 50 percent are CEOs and owners of companies. Our readers average nine domestic flights per year and 93 percent travel internationally on a regular basis, mostly in first and business class. More than 55 percent stay in 4- and 5-star hotels, at an average 60 nights per year. Four special editions — Leisure Lifestyle Edition, Global City Guidebook, Class Act Guide and The Trazee Book — complement 12 monthly issues. Each year, Global Traveler awards the GT Tested Reader Survey awards, the Leisure Lifestyle Awards and the Wines on the Wing awards.

About Global Traveler Digital
Global Traveler’s website, globaltravelerusa.com, which unveiled a new design in late 2016, offers unique daily content catering to the lifestyle and travel interests of our audience of premium travelers. Other digital offerings include eFlyer USA (20,000 double-opt-in subscribers); eFlyer Asia (4,000 Asia-based, double-opt-in subscribers); custom e-newsletters; sponsored content; Publisher’s Picks, GT on the Go and Premium eDeal e-newsletters; and a weekly On the Road with Global Traveler slideshow. More than 1 million visitors monthly rely on globaltravelerusa.com as their travel resource.

About FXExpress Publications, Inc.
FXExpress Publications, Inc., based in Yardley, Pa., is a privately held company publishing Global Traveler, eFlyer USA, eFlyer Asia, Trazee Travel, WhereverFamily and several annuals; and also operating globaltravelerusa.com, globaltravelerusa.com/blog, trazeetravel.com, whereverfamily.com and FX Excursions.

Imbibe in style with a Santa Ynez Valley wine tour

August 25, 2018 by evebushman

(SANTA YNEZ VALLEY, Calif.) — When it comes to a day spent wine tasting with friends or family, there is no more difficult and unsung job than being a group’s designated driver. Often the individual who “volunteers” for the gig comes down to drawing straws. But there is a better way.

In the Santa Ynez Valley — home to more than 100 wineries spread across its six distinct communities — wine tours are experiencing a resurgence in popularity as a way to enjoy the wineries that have made this fertile region a true wine country gem. For good reason, too.

“Wine tours are much more than a safe, friendly ride to and from a given winery or wineries, which is enticing enough,” said Shelby Sim, CEO of Visit the Santa Ynez Valley. “Wine tour operators greatly enhance the wine-tasting experience by offering in-depth knowledge of the wineries and an insider’s knowledge of what wineries best suit particular tastes. We hear it from our visitors regularly: The service wine tour operators offer is invaluable.”

It’s true. Wine tour operators are not only drivers who shepherd imbibers from tasting room to tasting room, often in luxury vehicles. Many are experts in the Santa Ynez Valley wine industry, who know intimately the wineries, winemakers, and varietals that suit most any palate. Not to mention they are also quick to offer recommendations for everything from restaurants and bars, to spas and hiking trails.

“It’s not just about wine, it’s also about the experience,” said Bill Henderson, owner and operator of Compass Wine Tours, which is based in Solvang. “The best wine tour host is just that — a host. They know the wines and winemakers, and have vetted them for their clients in advance.

“Wine tours appeal to a wide variety of people, too,” Henderson added. “There are couples, families, and parties who are just learning about wine and looking for a beautiful place to spend the day. Others know a bit more and would like to dig deeper. Having an educated, connected wine tour host can create the perfect day for each situation.”

Visitors have plenty of choices, too. Breakaway Tours & Event Planning, Classic Wine Tours of Santa Barbara, Grapeline Wine Tours, Los Olivos Limousine & Wine Tours, Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours, and Stagecoach Co. Wine Tours are among the wine tour operators in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Planning a trip to the Santa Ynez Valley is simple at visitsyv.com, where visitors can research events and attractions, book lodging and activities, create custom travel itineraries, and even book their own customized wine tours.

About the Santa Ynez Valley:

Barely two hours from Los Angeles and a scenic four-hour drive from San Francisco, the Santa Ynez Valley feels worlds apart from both. With six distinct communities encompassing everything from classic California wine country to Northern European traditions to the very best of the Old West, the Santa Ynez Valley is home to endless possibilities. Here in and around the towns of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang visitors will find more than 100 wineries, incredible food, special events and a unique, rich heritage. For more information, including a complete listing of wedding venues, restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms and events, go to VisitSYV.com.

Prosecco D.O.C.G. Announces Essay and Instagram Contests

August 18, 2018 by evebushman

SAN FRANCISCO – Charles Communications Associates announces on behalf of its client, The Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G., the launch of two national contests for active U.S. sommeliers, wine buyers or beverage directors – offering winners the opportunity to win a trip to Conegliano Valdobbiadene, the historic heart and pinnacle of Italy’s Prosecco region, located 45 minutes west of Venice in the foothills of the Italian Alps. 2019 marks the 50^th anniversary of the region’s D.O.C.G. appellation designation.

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The two contests: an essay and Instagram competition, respectively, are a key part of the region’s trade-focused campaign designed to educate and inform beverage professionals about the legacy of leadership, tradition and dedication to quality of the Prosecco Superiore region.

CONTEST DETAILS:

Instagram Contest: Active sommeliers, wine buyers or directors in the U.S can enter the competition by posting a photo of Prosecco Superiore alone or with a dish including a pairing note or caption, tagging @proseccocv and including #proseccosuperiore #proseccosuperioredocg #proseccoelevated #Somminstapic and that person will be entered to win an all-expenses paid, three-day trip to Conegliano Valdobbiadene in 2019, including airfare, accommodation and producer visits as a guest of the Consorzio. Candidates need to be working actively in their place of business as an employee or consultant.

Sommelier Essay Contest:

The Consorzio is also pleased to offer an opportunity to submit an essay of 1000 words on the subject of how Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. can be better integrated into beverage programs, wine lists and fine retail stores. The essay would be targeted to the buying audience, in essence, a business to business story. The winning essay writer will receive a 3-day trip to the region in 2019 including airfare, accommodation and producer visits as a guest of the Consorzio. In addition, the winning essay will be published in the February/March 2019 issue of the Sommelier Journal. As with the Instagram contest, candidates need to be working actively in their place of business as an employee or consultant.

Timing for Winner Selection: The contests will run from August 1, through November 30, 2018. The winner(s) will be selected and contacted by January 15, 2019.

Connect with the Consorzio on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or visit prosecco.it to learn more about the region and its sparkling wines.

About the Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G.

The Consorzio is a private body created to represent vine-growers, winemaking companies and bottlers from Conegliano Valdobbiadene and to safeguard the standards of the D.O.C.G. criteria in crafting wines of the highest quality and distinct provenance. Their work is focused on three major areas: protection, promotion and sustainability. They improve sparkling production methods, provide assistance and training and supervise all stages of winemaking to guarantee the quality of this outstanding, Italian viticultural region. Prosecco Superiore exports to over 130 countries of which the United States ranks 5th with over 2.76 million bottles (out of a total 35.8 million bottles) with a value of $17.12 million.

Created in 1969, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore was one of the first Italian appellations, obtaining the D.O.C.G. status in 2009. These sparkling wines come from the historic area of Prosecco production, a unique, hillside terroir that is now a strong candidate to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Conegliano Valdobbiadene is situated in the northeast of Italy, between Venice and the Dolomites (at the foothills of the Alps), offering a mild, temperate climate ideal for grape growing, producing serious food wines with pairing versatility, showcasing a range of different styles, aromas and flavor characteristics.

Sunset Magazine names Walla Walla “Best Wine Town”

August 12, 2018 by evebushman

(WALLA WALLA, Wash.) — Further solidifying its place in the upper echelon of wine destinations worldwide, Walla Walla has been named Best Wine Town in the Sunset Magazine 2018 Travel Awards. The results were recently posted to the Sunset.com website and can be viewed HERE, and will appear in the August issue of Sunset Magazine. Walla Walla was previously a runner-up in the Best Food Town category of the Sunset Travel Awards in 2015 and 2016.

“Nothing epitomizes the romance of and the relationship between wine, food, and travel in the West quite like Sunset Magazine does. To be recognized by their editors as the Best Wine Town for 2018 is a tremendous honor, particularly considering the popularity and reputation of other towns that qualify in the category. This award is one to be shared and celebrated by the very people — from the wineries, winemakers, and growers, to the restaurateurs, retailers, and residents — who make Walla Walla such a vibrant community and who truly made it possible.”

Entries were judged by Sunset’s editorial staff based on the following criteria: relevance to Sunset audience (50 percent); newsworthiness (20 percent); uniqueness (20 percent); aesthetic appeal (5 percent); and convenience and feasibility (5 percent). Visit Walla Walla’s entry focused on new and notable wineries, lodging properties, and restaurants, as well as the town’s overall vibe that blends “small-town charm with a contemporary feel — described as ‘rural-chic Americana’ — to offer a truly unique wine, culinary, cultural, and outdoor experience.”

Sunset’s editors praised Walla Walla’s wineries, wines, restaurants, and amenities, noting, “Widely known for its wheat and sweet onions, Walla Walla is also gaining recognition for its 120 wineries and tasting rooms, many of which occupy restored early-20th-century buildings. Show up at Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen on any night of the week, and you may find it filled with young winemakers behind some of the best Cabernets and Syrahs in the country. Chefs have followed the grapes, and the combination has energized this once-sleepy community. The introduction of nearby Eritage Resort — a 10-room refuge slated to open this summer, with lakeside villas to come — is bound to seal the deal.”

For more information on planning a trip, go to visitwallawalla.com.

About Walla Walla:

As the unofficial capital of Washington wine country, Walla Walla is home to more than 120 wineries, a nationally recognized culinary scene, access to an abundance of outdoor recreation, and an arts & entertainment scene that rivals cities many times its size. This community of just over 30,000 residents is known for many things, including its friendliness and hospitality, the quality of its wine, and of course the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion. An easy and scenic four-hour drive from Seattle, Portland, or Boise, Walla Walla can also be accessed via Alaska Airlines daily non-stop flights from Seattle. For more information and to begin planning a trip to Walla Walla, visit www.visitwallawalla.com.

SENZA HOTEL EARNS FODOR’S BEST AWARD FROM FODOR’S TRAVEL

April 26, 2018 by evebushman

NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – Fodor’s, the leading name in travel guides for over 80 years, has announced that SENZA Hotel has been awarded a Fodor’s Best as one of the 12 Trendiest Hotels in Napa and Sonoma.

“We are honored to be recognized by Fodor’s Travel in this way, as one of the trendiest places to stay in Napa or Sonoma,” says SENZA Hotel General Manager, Graham Yallop. “This is truly a team effort and it is with the deepest appreciation to the entire team here who all work tirelessly to deliver the excellence in service and experience for those to enjoy when spending time with us in wine country”.

Every year, the editors and experts of Fodor’s evaluate thousands of hotels across the globe. While every hotel listed in a Fodor’s guide is deemed worthy of a traveler’s time, only those offering a truly distinctive experience are given the Fodor’s Best designation. The Fodor’s Best hotel recipients are the best of the best providing a remarkable experience in their category.

As a Fodor’s Best recipient, SENZA Hotel will receive special recognition on Fodors.com as well as on the Napa and Sonoma Travel Guide page.

For more information about SENZA Hotel, please visit www.senzahotel.com.

About SENZA Hotel: SENZA Hotel is located just five minutes South of Yountville, California, in the heart of Napa Valley. SENZA is a family-owned property that seeks to create an authentic experience with sophisticated country charm, reflecting the passion of owners Craig and Kathryn Hall. By mixing the highest quality amenities with comfortable, contemporary spaces, and superb modern art, SENZA’s understated luxury creates a sense of being at a private retreat. To learn more, please visit www.senzahotel.com

About Fodor’s Travel: Fodor’s Travel has been sharing travel advice and recommendations with travelers for over 80 years and is one of the most trusted voices in the travel industry. Covering over 7,500 worldwide destinations, Fodor’s guidebooks and Fodors.com have provided the most up-to-date and accurate information for travelers since 1936. Written by a vast team of global correspondents, Fodor’s provides travelers with engagingly written, locally reported, and indispensable travel guidance. Visit www.Fodors.com.

East Tennessee’s Newest Tourism Trail Offers Wine and Ciders Mixed with Adventure

November 12, 2017 by evebushman

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, Tenn. (PRWEB) – A brand new wine and cider trail has opened this fall in Nine Lakes Wine Country of East Tennessee, skirting along 100 miles of the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Where nature and wine entwine, Foothills Wine & Cider Trail features fun and adventure along the way. Visitors can take a walk on America’s longest swinging bridge or soar down the highest zip line in the Smokies at Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, home of Wyile Cider Barn. Or experience the peaceful side of the Smokies as you visit Tuckaleechee Caverns or travel the Cherohala Skyway Scenic Byway. You may want to schedule a couple of days for this great wine and cider trail.

“Just in time to view the beautiful fall leaves, enjoy a trip on the brand new Foothills Wine & Cider Trail. It offers an unmatched view of the Great Smoky Mountains, adventure fun in Sevierville, and of course, delicious Tennessee wines and ciders,” said James R. Riddle, president of the Appalachian Region Wine Producers, which established the trail.

Four wineries and one cider mill have joined together for the cooperative tourism attraction. Participants who visit all five establishments will receive a commemorative wine trail glass, and be entered to win quarterly prizes.

To kick off its opening, Foothills Wine & Cider Trail is offering a Wine Adventure Giveaway, a package of prizes that involve area attractions as well as the trail. The package includes two zip-line passes to Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park, near Wyile Cider Barn in Sevierville, two splash passes from River Rat Rafting Company, which runs whitewater rafting in Hartford near the Pigeon River Winery, and a tubing venue near Cades Cove Winery in Townsend, a $50 Gift Certificate to Flap Jacks, near Mill Bridge Winery in Pigeon Forge, and two passes to The Lost Sea, an underground cavern near Tsali Notch Vineyard in Madisonville, TN.

Read more about the giveaway at http://www.FoothillsWineandCiderTrail.com.

“These gifts are really designed to get folks out on Foothills Wine & Cider Trail, and to give them a taste of all that East Tennessee offers for vacations. This is a wonderful place for friends and family to get away, enjoy all the natural beauty of East Tennessee, but also taste some award-winning wines and ciders,” said J.D. Dalton, manager of Tsali Notch Vineyard.

This trail features some of Tennessee’s most awarded wines. Tsali Notch Vineyard’s Hiwassee wine, a dry Muscadine varietal, has won more awards than any other Tennessee wine, including gold and silver medals from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Wine Competition.

The Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association’s mission is to grow the wine industry in East Tennessee. The association was the recipient of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Value Added Producer Grant in 2016. The association has established two wine trails, hosted the first Nine Lakes Wine Festival in May 2017, and has begun the process of establishing East Tennessee’s first American Viticultural Area (AVA).

An AVA is an official grape growing region designated by the US government, and would help establish an identity for Tennessee wines. For more information about Tennessee wines, visit http://www.ninelakeswinecountry.com

American Wine Society grows with addition of the Tasters Guild

June 28, 2017 by evebushman

(cranton, PA – The American Wine Society, the largest wine consumer group in the United States, has added to its ranks the membership of the Tasters Guild International.

The combination gives the American Wine Society in excess of 8,000 members active in 180 local chapters around the country.

“Through this agreement, we are able to offer more tasting and educational opportunities while growing our community of wine appreciators,” said David Falchek, American Wine Society executive director.

The Tasters Guild will continue promoting wine-related travel, gastronomy and other activities. The membership merger provides a permanent home for the network of wine lovers which the Tasters Guild has built up since its founding.

“Tasters Guild is excited to combine memberships with the American Wine Society,” said Tasters Guild President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Borrello. “We’re all about wine and food education, travel, and meeting interesting people. Tasters Guild and AWS is the perfect combination to provide these benefits to the consumer – and we all have fun in the process.”

The AWS was founded in New York in 1967, as an educational non-profit with the mission of promoting wine appreciation. The Tasters Guild was founded in Washington, D.C. in 1987 and grew to more than 2,000 members and more than 20 chapters.

New Goway Trips Lure Foodies to the World’s Most Exotic Travel Destinations

November 19, 2016 by evebushman

Glendale, CA – Asia has been a favourite of foodie travellers since Marco Polo. Not to be outdone, other exotic travel destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, and the islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans offer their own culinary treats and traditions.

Knowing that good food can be a highlight of any trip, Goway Travel has harnessed the flavours of Asia’s most exciting foodie destinations. Bangkok for Foodies is all about fresh street food, including a half-day class at a Thai cooking school. Hong Kong for Foodies includes a walking tour that combines the history and culture of Asia’s World City with a leisurely culinary adventure through the best local eateries. Taipei for Foodies is all about unique flavours after dark, both cultural and edible, including those found at the famous Huaxi Street Night Market.

Each makes an ideal short escape on its own, or can be combined with other trips for a foodie’s ultimate Asia vacation. Alternatively, Globetrotters with a taste for fine dining might consider Japan. Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo each have more Michelin-starred restaurants than Paris. Still, one doesn’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy Michelin-starred dining. One hawker stand in the all-new Singapore guide lets travellers enjoy a Michelin starred meal there for under $3!

Globetrotters with a taste for both luxury and adventure may want to consider a Maldives vacation at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort. Named the Indian Ocean’s Leading Culinary Resort in 2015, the Conrad boasts over 1,400 different labels of wine in their cellar, and a dedicated cheese bar. Conrad Maldives was also honoured at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards in 2016.

It’s no longer any secret that Australia and New Zealand produce some of the world’s best wines. Australia is the fifth largest exporter of wine in the world (Only French, Italian, Spanish, and Chilean wines are in higher demand), while New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc has secured a reputation as arguably the world’s finest. Australia’s most famous wine regions are the Hunter Valley, just a few hours from Sydney, and the Barossa Valley, a stone’s throw from Adelaide.

Not to be outdone, New Zealand boasts exceptional wine regions on both the North and South Islands. Perhaps the ultimate way to see them is on a wine trail self-drive. Goway’s New Zealand wine trail takes Globetrotters from the Art Deco stylings of Napier, through the vineyards of Martinborough, then across Cook Strait to Picton and Blenheim, gateway to the famous Marlborough wine region (and its Sauvignon Blancs). It also includes time in Wellington, the cultural heart of New Zealand.

Since 1970, Goway has been providing unforgettable travel experiences to Africa, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Central & South America, Idyllic Island destinations and Europe. Today Goway is recognized as one of North America’s leading travel companies for individuals, families and groups to select exotic destinations around the globe. Goway has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Sydney Australia.

For reservations and information, visit http://www.goway.com, or call 1-800-387-8850.

Americans Are Number One Consumers of Italian Wine

November 12, 2016 by evebushman

The Italian agricultural association Coldiretti reports that the United States is the top consumer of Italian wine, importing more than €1.3 billion worth last year alone. But wine enthusiasts know that their experiences can go beyond simply tasting. In fact, American travelers are getting more and more involved in Enotourism — travel focused on interest in the wine industry. Select Italy (http://selectitaly.com), a boutique travel company specialized in Italy, has established strategic partnerships with some of the most esteemed wine families in Italy offering clients the rare opportunity to explore not only the flavors, but also the history and culture of the land, as well as the people responsible for Italy’s iconic wineries and vineyards.

The latest numbers from ISMEA Mercati show a significant rise in imported wines in the USA in the first trimester of 2016 (+8% since 2015), and Italy reconfirms its position as main distributor in the United States. So visitors from the US traveling to Italy should not miss the opportunity to experience the Bel Paese from a different perspective. Boasting some of the most exclusive wine activities, Select Italy clients can visit wineries, learn how grapes are grown, meet the owners and families working the land, and better understand what goes into making the wine they enjoy back home.

A few of Select Italy’s new wine experiences include:

De-Wine: Wines of the Castelli Romani, Summer Residence of the Popes – Blending interests, wine connoisseurs and history lovers can enjoy some of the best DOC wines, while touring an estate that dates back to Pope Boniface VIII in 1301.
Montepulciano & Pienza: Full Day Wine Tour – Travelers will uncover the secrets of 1,000-year-old winemaking families and the tradition behind their unrivaled varietals.
Veneto: The Land of Prosecco – Visitors will learn how a family-run business has transformed a simple white wine into one of the most remarkable Proseccos in the world.

“For many of our clients, learning how their favorite wines are produced makes for an unforgettable vacation, and visiting wineries in Italy is one of the new trends travelers try to fit in their itineraries while touring the boot” says Silvia Bolasco-Gianfortune, Manager, Custom Travel Planning. “Italian wines are some of the greatest in the world, and travelers don’t have to be experts to enjoy them. Wine appreciation can be taught, and our exclusive experiences help to educate and delight every client’s palate.”

For further information about Select Italy’s premier wine experiences and to see the complete portfolio of travel services to Italy, visit selectitaly.com.

About Select Italy
Select Italy® is The Ultimate Source for Travel to Italy® and offers a wide array of superior Italian travel products and services, including customized itineraries, state-of-the-art tours and packages, wedding/honeymoon trips, unique culinary classes, a complete pre-departure ticketing service for museums and musical events, private guided services, yacht charters, transportation, hotel reservations, villa bookings and more. Through a vast network of suppliers and cultural contacts, anything and everything you need for optimum travel to Italy is possible with Select Italy. Based in Chicago with an office in New York and Shanghai and support staff in Italy, the company has expanded its offerings and travel services to the Balkans with the launch of Select Croatia®.