The American Empress Returns To The Pacific Northwest – 2015 Voyages Highlight Regional Wines
The American Queen Steamboat Company announces its second inaugural season touring the Pacific Northwest onboard the American Empress, a 223-guest riverboat.
With nine-day itineraries steeped in culture, exclusive winery tours and tastings, the American Empress itineraries continue to deliver an unforgettable vacation through the eyes of the region’s first settlers.
“The unblemished beauty and bountiful grape harvest make the Pacific Northwest home to some of the world’s most sought after wines and celebrated landmarks,” shares American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO Ted Sykes. “Through locally sourced cuisine and tour operators, we’re excited to bring the region’s culture to life with award-winning shore excursions and onboard amenities.”
Wine Themed Tours & Tastings Include:
* Premium Tour: Wine & Spirits on Red Mountain
– Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center
Named for “the Father of Washington Wine,” the Walter Clore Center offers a detailed look at the history of Red Mountain, Wash. and the area’s wine production together with tasting samples of some of the finest wines from local vineyards.
– Kiona Vineyards
Located in Red Mountain Wash., Kiona Vineyards provides a tasting room with panoramic views of the Yakima Valley and estate vineyard, spanning over 250 acres.
– Hedges Family Estate
Allows guests to tour the expansive estate winery and sample the vintages produced on site before continuing to Black Heron Spirits, a unique and quirky distillery where guests can tour the facility and taste their specialty whisky and spirits.
* Premium Tour: From Maryhill Museum to the Vineyard
The tour to Maryhill Museum includes an exclusive wine tasting of the artistic wines unique to the Pacific Northwest. During the visit, guests can sample a variety of wines and enjoy veranda views of the gorge, Mt. Hood and the Columbia River flowing below.
* Premium Tour: The Beauty and Bounty of the Pacific Northwest
Features Mount Hood Winery, a “wine to bottle” full production facility in Oregon that specializes in distinctive wines and warm hospitality. The Estate’s grown Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Riesling thrive in Mount Hood’s rich volcanic soils and the ideal growing climate of the Hood River Valley.
* Premium Tour: Wine Walk in Spokane, Wash.
Guests can enjoy a wine walk with tastings around a post-cruise stay in Spokane, Wash.
* Included Tour: Sunshine Mill Winery in The Dalles, Ore.
The included Hop-on Hop-Off Tour will feature Sunshine Mill Winery, the first building in The Dalles to have electricity with an amphitheater for wine tastings.
In addition, wine by the glass is rotated through each itinerary onboard the American Empress and include Willamette Valley Vineyards, Eola Hills, Joe Dobbes Family Estate, Fox Farm, Anelare, and Maryhill Winery.
Offering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, fares on the American Empress begin at $3,795 based on double occupancy. All journeys include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in all ports, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and a host of other amenities.
