Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today revealed the line-up of its popular Meet the Winemaker series, featuring renowned winemakers and culinary experts bringing their knowledge and expertise to an intimate group of guests on board the Company’s newest ships.
Providing Wine Enthusiasts & Foodies with New Skills
The Meet the Winemaker series provides wine enthusiasts and foodies of all skill levels with an exclusive opportunity to engage with winemakers and other connoisseurs through seminars and activities. The immersive programming offers guests intimate wine tastings, wine-paired dinners, interactive culinary demonstrations and meet-and-greets on board. Guests can also purchase wines on board that are otherwise only available by visiting the wineries directly.
Harry Sommer – President & CEO of NCL
“Our Meet the Winemaker series is back and better than ever,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of NCL. “Every year we aim to elevate this exclusive experience and I believe we’ve done just that as we enter the program’s seventh year with an impressive guest line-up. These unique sailings offer a rare opportunity to get one-on-one exposure to esteemed winemakers and their collection of wines, all while visiting multiple destinations and enjoying an unforgettable vacation.”
Emma Walker – Master Blender at Johnnie Walker
A new and noteworthy addition to this year’s series includes special guest Emma Walker. Walker, a Master Blender at Johnnie Walker, the highest rank in whisky craftsmanship, has spent over a decade perfecting whisky production, maturation, and blending processes. She leads the Johnnie Walker Whisky Specialist team based in Menstrie, Scotland, where she has access to more than ten million casks of maturing Scotch whisky. She will join the 17th Sept. 2023 sailing on the Norwegian Prima, in Northern Europe for NCL’s first-ever Johnnie Walker cruise where guests can learn the history of the brand and savour the wide range of aged whiskeys.
Chef Ashley Breneman from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute
Also notable to the program is Chef Ashley Breneman, who began her career studying at Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute and has worked for numerous celebrity chefs, including Gordon Ramsay on the hit show “Master Chef.” Now, she serves as the Executive Chef at Certified Angus Beef®, one of the top meat brands in the country. She will join returning winemaker Antonio Hidalgo for the 9 July, 2023 sailing aboard Norwegian Encore to Alaska.
Miguel Torres – Pioneer of Cabernet Sauvignon planting in Spain
Fourth-generation winemaker Miguel Torres, who pioneered planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Spain, creating ‘Mas la Plana’ in 1970, will also make his debut to the culinary program aboard Norwegian Encore’s 9 April, 2023 Eastern Caribbean voyage. The Miguel Torres Chile family winery has a presence in over 100 countries and has established itself over the past 30 years as one of the main producers of high-quality wines and is committed to environmental and social responsibility.
Returning fan-favourite hosts include celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez; world-class winemaker and member of the historic fashion house, Salvatore Ferragamo; Napa Valley icon Michael Mondavi of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate; and “The Drinks Business” Master Winemaker of the Year 2023 recipient Gérard Bertrand, among others.
The complete 2023 Meet the Winemaker series line-up includes:
- 2 Apr 2023 – Norwegian Bliss, Mexican Riviera: Featuring award-winning celebrity chef and TV personality Aaron Sanchez
- 9 Apr 2023 – Norwegian Encore, Eastern Caribbean: Featuring 4th-generation winemaker Miguel Torres
- 22 Apr 2023* – Norwegian Bliss, Alaska: Featuring world-class winemaker Salvatore Ferragamo of The Il Borro estate in Tuscany, Italy, producing world-class wines
- 10 Jun 2023* – Norwegian Bliss, Alaska: Featuring Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite Wine Dinner Hosted by Special Guest: Diane Flamand
- 9 Jul 2023* – Norwegian Encore, Alaska: Featuring Antonio Hidalgo of the globally recognized family-owned Spanish Sherry house, Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana, and Certified Angus Beef® Executive Chef Ashley Breneman
- 17 Sept 2023 – Norwegian Prima, Northern Europe: Featuring Emma Walker, Master Blender at Johnnie Walker
- 22 Oct 2023 – Norwegian Escape, Bermuda: Featuring Michael Mondavi of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate
- 28 Oct 2023 – Norwegian Joy, Western Caribbean: Featuring Gérard Bertrand, “The Drinks Business” Master Winemaker of the Year 2023 recipient
- 29 Oct 2023 – Norwegian Escape, Bermuda: Featuring Randy Ullom from the Kendall-Jackson family
*Guests will also have the opportunity to partake in a special wine-paired dinner featuring Certified Angus Beef®.
