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Savor the Journey

Join us for a sommelier-guided wine cruise along the Columbia and Snake Rivers and immerse yourself in the beauty and bounty of the American Pacific Northwest.

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October 1-9, 2023 

9-day cruise aboard the American Empress

Chiara Shannon Mindful Wine

Your Sommelier & Host

Chiara Shannon, Founder, Mindful Wine

As featured in FORBES and The Wall Street Journal, Chiara Shannon is an advanced sommelier and educator with extensive experience in the world of fine wine. A passionate traveler and sustainability specialist, Chiara loves connecting with people and inspiring joy through wine.

Exclusive Events

In this webinar we will cover

Bon Voyage
Toast & Tasting

Mindful Wine Tasting
with host
Chiara Shannon

Sustainable Wine - A discussion with Chiara Shannon
 

Analemma Wines
Exploratory Field Experience 

Sensory Wine Tasting
with Chiara

Analemma Wines
Exploratory Field Experience 

Hiyu Wine Farm
Culinary Garden
Tour & Tasting 

 

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Full Itinerary:

Day 1: Oct 1, 2023

HOTEL STAY IN VANCOUVER, WA

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. Our Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and our friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Both American Queen Steamboat Company and local representatives will be readily available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

EXCLUSIVE EVENT for our Group Members

Welcome Reception - meet your hosts and mingle with other sustainable wine lovers

Day 2: Oct 2, 2023 

VANCOUVER, WA

A suburb of Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, Washington, has taken on a distinctive identity of its own. Located in an ideal spot among Mount St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Pacific Coast, Vancouver boasts a newly renovated waterfront and an abundance of activities, scenic landscapes, and historic attractions for all to enjoy.

Day 3: Oct 3, 2023

ASTORIA, OR

Astoria is known to be the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. There is no doubting the richness of the history grounded in this Columbia River town. For thousands of years, the Clatsop Tribe inhabited the lands. Today, you can climb to the top of the Astoria Column – wrapped in depictions of history – look out over the landscape toward the Pacific Ocean, and watch your model wooden airplane glide through the air to its rest below.

 

Day 4: Oct 4, 2023

RIVER CRUISING

Watch small river towns and lush landscapes slowly become lost in the horizon as sunlight plays upon the deck. Take hold of a literary classic, curl up on a plush chair in a cozy corner and relish in the moment of tranquility. Experience the fulfillment that river cruising offers.

    

EXCLUSIVE EVENT for our Group Members

Mindful Wine Tasting: Savoring Each Sip 

Expand your palate and stretch your mind while learning to taste wine like a pro with our resident Sommelier Chiara Shannon, founder of Mindful Wine™. Learn to navigate your sense memory, discover new pathways of appreciation, and emerge with the language of a pro. Includes a flight of three sustainably grown local wines. 

 

Day 5: Oct 5, 2023

STEVENSON, WA

Stevenson embraces the adventurist – with hiking trails, hot springs, and local wineries, a visitor is sure to find plenty to do. Opportunities for educational enlightenment abound within the Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center and at Bonneville Dam. Consider a stop downtown to visit restaurants, cafés, and small locally owned shops in which reside treasures of the Pacific Northwest.

EXCLUSIVE OPTIONAL EVENT for our Group Members

Hiyu Wine Farm Vineyard Tour

"Hiyu cultivates wildness; cares for plants, animals, and people; and offers dining experiences that entwine nature and culture." 

Private group tour and culinary garden experience at Hiyu Wine Farm. 

Includes vineyard tour, wine tasting, and seasonal farm-to-table lunch. 

$125 pp

     

"Deeply seasonal dishes featuring ingredients grown or foraged at Hiyu dialogue with our current releases,                 inspiring conversation, conviviality, and connection."

Day 6: Oct 6, 2023 

THE DALLES, OR

At the end of the overland Oregon Trail, The Dalles holds a unique place in history as a jumping-off spot for pioneers, soldiers, gold miners, adventurers, gun-slingers, floozies, and scallywags. The Dalles, although a part of the Oregon High Desert, features a long growing season and a relatively warm climate that supports the growing of grapes. As a result, the region is home to a wine scene unlike any other in Oregon. Visitors will be pleased to see the rolling hills speckled with vineyards.

EXCLUSIVE OPTIONAL EVENT for our Group Members

Analemma Wine Tasting & Picnic Lunch

"Nestled in the Mosier Valley of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Analemma employs careful               farming and meticulous winemaking to craft memorable Biodynamic® wines." 

Exploratory field tasting and Biodynamic vineyard experience at Analamma Vineyards. 

Includes vineyard tour, wine tasting, and "Gorge-grown" gourmet lunch.

$125 pp 

"...A gourmet picnic featuring ingredients sourced within 15 miles of Analemma Wines." 

Day 7: Oct 7, 2023

RICHLAND, WA

Step off the boat directly into a perfectly polished park, and take a short stroll to downtown shops, eateries and attractions. Incorporated in 1910, Richland remained a small agricultural community until it was acquired by the U.S. Army for the site of the Hanford Engineer Works – used to produce plutonium during World War II and the Cold War. Today, the historic B Reactor and other important historical venues are part of the Manhattan Project National Historic Park. This and many other intriguing locations are offered as part of your experience in Richland.

 

EXCLUSIVE INCLUDED EVENT for our Group Members

Sensory Wine Tasting

Have fun with an interactive sensory experience exploring the fundamentals of taste. Learn to savor the moment with locally sourced ingredients you've gathered that will stimulate the senses and inspire the imagination.

 

Day 8: Oct 8, 2023

CLARKSTON, WA

Nestled at the union of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in southeast Washington, Clarkston is the gateway to North America’s deepest gorge – Hells Canyon – on the Snake River. Picturesque vistas, year-round mild climates, and a deep history make this scenic inland port a desirable stop. Spend the day enjoying Clarkston, Washington and neighboring Lewiston, Idaho while tracing the legacy of the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark – for whom the cities are named.

 

Day 9: Oct 9, 2023 

CLARKSTON, WA (DISEMBARK)

As the journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town. Enjoy the city at your leisure, or consider a post-cruise premium experience with airport transfer.

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