Norwegian Cruise Lines’s hugely popular Meet the Winemakers series is back! The cruise line has revealed a new lineup of gastronomic experts who will be joining 2023 sailings around the world as part of their interactive onboard programme.
Already well-loved for their range of onboard dining venues, Norwegian Cruise Lines have taken their culinary offering to the next level in recent years with the launch of their Meet the Winemaker series. It features expert winemakers and foodies who share their extraordinary knowledge of food and drink with guests on board NCL’s fleet of fantastic cruise ships.
The series includes talks by engaging speakers, enriching seminars, wine tastings, wine-paired dinners, culinary demonstrations, meet and greets and much more!
Our Meet the Winemaker series is back and better than ever. 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.
Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line
Noteworthy guest speakers include Certified Angus Beef Executive Chef Ashley Breneman. Certified Angus Beef is served in Cagney’s, an exceptional speciality restaurant featured across the NCL fleet.
Before her time at Certified Angus Beef, Ashley studied at the legendary Le Cordon Bleu culinary institute and worked with love-him-or loathe-him celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsey, on Masterchef. Ashley will be swapping the heat of the kitchen for the calm of the Norwegian Encore on an Alaskan sailing, departing on 9 July 2023, joining returning Meet the Winemaker series guest Antonio Hidalgo.
For wine connoisseurs onboard Norwegian Encore’s 9 April Eastern Caribbean cruise, they will be joined by fourth-generation winemaker Miguel Torres, part of the Miguel Torres Chile family winery that has been producing top-notch wines for more than 30 years. Miguel himself has championed planting Cabernet Sauvignon in Spain and created ‘Mas la Plana’ in 1970.
Whisky lovers will enjoy talks by Emma Walker, a Master Blender at Johnnie Walker, who will join the all-new Norwegian Prima on a Northern Europe sailing departing on 17 September 2023.
Emma, whose title as Master Blender is considered the loftiest rank in whisky craftsmanship, has spent more than a decade at the very heart of whisky production and currently leads the Johnnie Walker Whisky Specialist team based in Menstrie, Scotland.
The voyage will be NCL’s first-ever Johnnie Walker cruise, where the history of the storied brand will be shared with passengers (as well as much savouring of deliciously smooth whiskies!).
In addition to these food and drink heavyweights, many Meet the Winemaker fan-favourites will be returning to NCL ships as part of the programme including 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.
Here’s the schedule in full of all the guest speakers appearing on NCL ships this year, as part of the Meet the Winemakers series:
April 2, 2023 – Norwegian Bliss, Mexican Riviera: Featuring award-winning celebrity chef and TV personality Aaron Sanchez
April 9, 2023 – Norwegian Encore, Eastern Caribbean: Featuring fourth-generation winemaker Miguel Torres
April 22, 2023 – Norwegian Bliss, Alaska: Featuring world-class winemaker Salvatore Ferragamo of The Il Borro estate in Tuscany, Italy, producing world-class wines
June 10, 2023 – Norwegian Bliss, Alaska: Featuring Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite Wine Dinner Hosted by Special Guest: Diane Flamand
July 9, 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
September 17, 2023 – Norwegian Prima, Northern Europe: Meet the Master Blender, Emma Walker of Johnnie Walker
October 22, 2023 – Norwegian Escape, Bermuda: Featuring Michael Mondavi of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate
October 28, 2023 – Norwegian Joy, Western Caribbean: Featuring Gérard Bertrand, “The Drinks Business” Master Winemaker of the Year 2023 recipient
October 29, 2023 – Norwegian Escape, Bermuda: Featuring Randy Ullom from the Kendall-Jackson family
Guests which join the 22 April, 10 June and 9 July sailings will also get the opportunity to take part in a special wine-paired meal featuring Certified Angus Beef®.
If you’re keen to hop on board one of these special NCL sailings, call one of our dedicated cruise consultants today on 0330 127 7034.
