Deckchair....

FLOATING THROUGH WINE COUNTRY

The conclusion was suddenly as clear as a Riedel crystal goblet: We wouldn't have to worry about drinking and driving. The cruise line would create private food and wine experiences otherwise unavailable to the general public. And their all-inclusive nature might offer a better deal compared to paying separately for luxury accommodations, gourmet meals and stellar wine tastings.

Having been to the California wine country many times, my wife and I are always looking for new ways to experience everything we love about the place. The concept of a four-night cruise was tempting enough to convince us to try the floating tour.

Five days, four nights and, oh, about 40 glasses of wine later, we highly recommend that wine aficionados hit the high seas instead of the highways. Boarding a small ship that carries passengers to Napa and Sonoma valleys is a perfect way to visit wineries, vineyards, and more. Why be driving on some busy stretch of asphalt when you could be floating on an endles supply of wine instead.

In 2007 Cruise West will run two tours to the region on board the 138-passenger Spirit of Yorktown. The Vintner's Choice 2007 tour is the closest representation of the tour we took last year onboard the Spirit of Endeavour. These floating wine-based tours take advantage of the many waterways threading through vineyard country. The ship generally cruises the Sacramento Delta area and the Napa River, rather than heading into the Pacific Ocean.

We boarded Cruise West's ship for the four-night itinerary (Monday evening to Friday morning) in San Francisco (the line features three-night cruises from Friday evening to Monday morning). To accommodate repeat passengers, the itineraries change somewhat each season, but exclusive tours, tastings and meals are the norm on land and onboard. Though you could probably arrange some (but not all) of the "private" opportunities at wineries on you own (from unique tastings to a candlelight lunch in a cave), the cruise line does all the legwork for you. There's even an onboard guest wine expert who offers educational tastings on the ship and often joins the group on shore to share more wine expertise with passengers.

Monday afternoon we enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the San Francisco Fisherman's Market before boarding the ship. Greeted with Champagne and a wonderful evening tasting and dinner, the mood was set for the libations ahead.

On Tuesday, get ready for a busy visit to visit to Napa Valley that includes a private "Cooking with Wine" class at the Culinary Institute of America's Greystone campus (a mecca for foodies like us), lunch at Auberge du Soleil, a sparkling wine tasting and a private cave tour at Schramsberg, and a wine blending seminar back at Greystone to cap off the day (at least until dinner and more tastings back on the ship!).

On Wednesday, the ship docks in Sausalito, where an interesting wine tasting takes place at an elegant wine and art gallery called Bachus and Venus. We enjoyed it thoroughly. In the afternoon, the ship sails back to Napa for a tasting and tour of Duckhorn Winery.

Thursday, the ship docks in Sonoma Valley, where there's time in the morning for touring Sonoma or taking advantage of one of Cruise West's optional tours (including an excellent "Cabernet Lovers Limo Tour" that visits Quintessa, Silver Oak, and Joseph Phelps, where they're making great cabs).

The afternoon brings private group visits and tastings at St. Francis and Chateau St. Jean. After a final evening of tastings and a farewell dinner, the ship typically sails under the Golden Gate Bridge for a Friday morning finale that had us ready to book another wine country cruise.

The "Culture of the Vine" three-night cruise sets sail on Friday evenings with a champagne punch toast and stunning views of the San Francisco skyline. An onboard wine educator typically hosts the first of several complimentary wine tastings before a casual dinner (where many local wines are featured on the moderately priced wine list).

On Saturday mornings, the ship docks in Napa Valley for a day of tasting and touring that includes St. Supery and Clos du Val, as well as a gourmet three-course lunch in the caves of Clos Pegase. Back on the ship, another tasting and dinner await.

Sunday mornings are spent in the Sonoma Valley. Passengers are taken on a private tractor-pulled tram tour (and tasting) at Benziger Winery. It sounded hokey to us when it was part of our tour last year, but the tractor ride was actually pretty scenic--and educational. An upscale lunch at Ledson Winery's castle followed, a sparkling wine tasting at Domaine Carneros, as well as a stroll around quaint Sonoma. An onboard tasting and gourmet meal make for a pleasant final evening, and the morning sail into San Francisco typically includes sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Every year Cruise West amends its itineraries for the California Wine cruise series. In 2007 the Vintner's Choice will visit Auberge du Soleil, Mumm Napa, St. Francis Winery and Chateau St. Jean. Optional tours include Quintessa, Silver Oak, and Joseph Phelps. On the Culture of the Vine 2007 tour guests explore the rich Carneros growing region. Tasting tours include Merryvale Winery, Clos Du Val, Benziger Winery, Viansa Winery & Italian Marketplace, and Domaine Carneros.

As with their other offerings in Alaska and Central America, Cruise West offers a nice middle-of-the-road samll ship cruise for the money. Rates for the three-night weekend wine cruise start at US$1299 per person, double occupancy, while rates for the four-night weekday itinerary start at US$1,949. Wineries are subject to change and it's a good idea to check the schedule when you are booking. Wine tasting are included in the price, but wines with meals are extra; many passengers, us included, puchased bottles during the winery visits and brought those back on board to enjoy.