Norwegian Cruise Line Announces 2023 Meet the Winemakers Series

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today revealed the exciting lineup of its popular Meet the Winemaker series, the one-of-a-kind program featuring renowned winemakers and culinary experts bringing their knowledge and expertise to an intimate group of guests on board the Company’s newest ships.

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 various enriching 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. 

2023 Meet the Winemakers Series

Our Meet the Winemaker series is back and better than ever,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. 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 lineup. 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 aboard our innovative fleet.

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 Sept. 17, 2023 sailing on NCL’s award-winning new ship, Norwegian Prima, in Northern Europe for NCL’s first-ever Johnnie Walker cruise where guests can learn the history of the brand and savor the wide range of aged whiskeys.  

Also notable to the program is Chef Ashley Breneman, Executive Chef at Certified Angus Beef®, one of the best beef brands in the country and is featured across the NCL fleet in its specialty restaurant, Cagney’s.  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,” will join returning winemaker Antonio Hidalgo for the July 9, 2023 sailing aboard Norwegian Encore to Alaska to add a culinary component to the Meet the Winemaker experience. 

Meet the Winemakers

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 April 9, 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-favorite 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 lineup includes:

Norwegian Cruise Line

Guests will also have the opportunity to partake in a special wine-paired dinner featuring Certified Angus Beef®.

For more information on Meet the Winemakers, please visit here.

For more information about the Company’s award-winning 18-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please get in touch with a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

John Shallo
John Shallohttp://www.cruiseaddicts.com
John Shallo is the founder and editor of Cruise Addicts. Since 1999 it has been a leading destination for cruise travelers and self professed Cruise Addicts looking for the latest news, ship reviews and travel tips.

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