Mediterranean cruises for wine enthusiasts: $1,000 off select summer/fall trips

If you’re looking to indulge in some fine-wine adventuring and think you’re limited to land-lubbing to do so, think again. With a specialty cruise on the high seas, you can partake in wine seminars, wine tastings and private dinners hosted by winemakers. Then, once at port, take advantage of optional shore excursions with an epicurean flair.

Through Santa Rosa-based Food & Wine Trails, a number of wine-themed cruise trips are scheduled this year, mostly on the Mediterranean; aboard midsize ships like those of Oceania Cruises, they are hosted by representatives from various top-rated wineries. To further pique your interest, a number of summer and fall trips have just gone on sale:

Deal: The price tags on five cruise departures have been marked down by $1,000 per person. The earliest of these is Paumanok and Wolffer wineries’ 2009 Best of Long Island Wine Cruise, June 24-July 4, which, after the discount, costs $2,349 per person, based on double occupancy.

This includes round-trip airfare to Europe from 20 U.S. gateway cities, including Los Angeles (LAX) and San Diego (SAN); if you choose to pass on the air travel component (e.g., perhaps you want to use miles instead), you receive a $950 per-person air credit. Additional fees, not included in the rate, are the optional on-shore trips, $519 in air tax and $260 in government fees.

This Paumanok and Wolffer cruise begins in Athens and ends in Barcelona, Spain. The 10-night voyage calls into Malta; various spots in Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Provence, France.

Other upcoming discounted cruises are the Franciscan and Simi wineries’ 2009 Mediterranean Wine Cruise, departing July 4, at $2,349 per person; the Silenus Vintners’ 2009 Mediterranean Wine Cruise, departing July 14, at $2,999 per person; Robert Mondavi Winery’s 2009 Mediterranean Wine Cruise, departing Sept. 4, at $3,049 per person; and White Oak Vineyards & Winery 2009 Wine Cruise, departing Oct. 5, at $2,799 per person. Book by March 1 to receive free prepaid gratuities.