TRAVERSE CITY, MI - When working to find new ways to offer fun experiences to their wine club members, the staff at Left Foot Charley hit upon a bold plan that will invite fans to dust off their passports: a river cruise to Bordeaux, France. It will incorporate world-class wine tasting with a little Old World culture and a lot of itinerary options.
The Traverse City winery’s inaugural trip will set sail in May 2022 aboard the AmaDolce, a river cruising ship that is part of AmaWaterways’ European fleet. The trip is open not only to LFC’s growing wine club membership, but any wine and travel enthusiasts who’d like to go. It will be led by LFC’s co-owners Bryan and Jen Ulbrich.
The tour’s description: “Iconic châteaux, timeless vineyards and delicious wine tastings are plentiful as we visit Libourne, Blaye, Bourg, Pauillac, and Cadillac for a 7-day journey through this historic wine region. Private group wine tastings, guided tours, hikes through vineyards and biking along the Dordogne River will fill your days while exploring the villages in the evenings.”
A special Bordeaux and Barrels event on Oct. 14 at LFC will go over the trip details. For more information on the Taste of Bordeaux trip, the cost and itinerary, you can check the website here.
Kristy McClellan, director of sales for Left Foot Charley, said the tour idea surfaced as the team was talking about what new and unique experiences they could offer the wine club members. “Bryan and I have talked about doing trips for our own education, and we respect the wines that are being made in Bordeaux tremendously,” she said.
Some of LFC’s growers may also be on the trip. The urban winery, which produces about 5,000 cases per year, works closely with about 20 Traverse City area farmers who grow the grapes that become LFC’s boutique style wines. While the winery offers a full slate of varieties and a handful of ciders, its Blaufrankisch, Pinot and Kerner – a light German-style wine that not many people here are making - have been among the bestsellers.
RELATED: Northern Michigan winery offers unique new Barrel Room tastings
Kim Schmitz, a river cruise specialist, is serving as travel coordinator for the LFC trip. She’s excited about the options available to cruise guests. While some people will be really focused on the wine-tasting and vineyard history, others can head out on biking daytrips and enjoy the different towns the cruise will stop alongside for the day.
“These are all small villages that we are going to,” Schmitz said. “You can head out on your own and take your chances with your French.” Guests can map out their choices in advance, or wait until each day starts to see what their group wants to do.
The cruise can accommodate about 140 people. While you don’t have to be a LFC wine club member to sign up, there will be special events on board just for club members. The winery staff who are going on the trip also plan to buy local wines during the cruise and have on-board tastings.
Below, check out a video of the trip:
Ad Choices