Award-Winning Virginia Wineries to Host Mediterranean Wine Cruises in 2009 with Cruise Holidays of Alexandria

    ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 16 /EMWNews/ -- Three award-winning Virginia

wineries announced plans to lead upscale Mediterranean wine-themed cruises

in 2009. The wineries are Pearmund Cellars, Winery at LaGrange, and

DelFosse Vineyards and Winery. The cruises are being offered by Cruise

Holidays of Alexandria, Virginia -- part of the oldest and largest

cruise-specialty retail franchise in North America.



    Pearmund Cellars and its sister winery, Winery at LaGrange, will host a

10-night Rome to Barcelona cruise aboard Oceania Cruises, June 17-27, 2009.

The Pearmund Cellars/Winery at LaGrange

(http://www.luxurycruisecounselors.com/6909553_70482.htm) cruise will

feature multiple wine-themed events both onboard and shore side. Events

planned include: two complimentary onboard wine tastings, wine-themed

lectures, private shore excursions, and wine-and-food pairing dinner.

Guests will also enjoy free a complimentary cocktail reception and a $150

spa amenity credit, per stateroom, to be used onboard. The cruise will be

led by Virginia wine expert Chris Pearmund.



    "We knew a Mediterranean cruise would prove popular with our customers,

but the rapid rate at which the cruise has sold has been a very pleasant

surprise," commented Pearmund. "Anyone who joins us is virtually assured a

vacation of a lifetime -- from the onboard activities to the optional

exclusive culinary and wine-themed shore side excursions we will be

offering to our guests." Guests who are interested in learning more should

plan to attend an informational event at Winery at LaGrange in Haymarket,

Virginia at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2008. Please RSVP by calling

703-706-0011.



    Claude DelFosse, wine expert and founder of the award-winning DelFosse

Vineyards and Winery will also lead a Mediterranean wine-themed cruise

(http://www.luxurycruisecounselors.com/7137976_70482.htm). DelFosse and his

wife, Genevieve, will share their passion for wine with their guests aboard

Crystal Cruises from June 14-21, 2009. Guests will enjoy onboard wine

tastings, lectures, and private excursions to European wineries. "My wife

and I are especially excited to escort our guests on this spectacular

wine-themed cruise that includes a stop in our native France," remarked

DelFosse.



    Both cruises are being offered through Cruise Holidays of Alexandria,

Virginia. Additional details for these extraordinary cruises include (all

fares listed are per person, double occupancy):



    -- Pearmund Cellars/Winery at LaGrange Cruise: 10-nights aboard Ocean

Cruises from June 17-27, 2009. Unobstructed ocean view staterooms,

including roundtrip airfare from select gateway cities nationwide, starting

from $3,299. Rates will increase $100 per person beginning August 1, 2008.

Ports-of-call include: Sorrento, Amalfi, Sardinia, Livorno, Portofino,

Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Provence, and Palma De Mallorca.



    -- DelFosse Cruise: 7-nights aboard Crystal Cruises from June 21-28,

2009, starting from $3,535. The itinerary begins in Rome, and features

full-day ports of call in Porto Venere, Livorno, Monte Carlo, and St.

Tropez, and an overnight stay in Barcelona, Spain. Additionally, guests

will enjoy prepaid gratuities and a complimentary cocktail reception.



    Space is limited and other terms and conditions may apply. For

additional information about these exclusive cruises, and to book, call

Cruise Holidays toll free at 866-368-7327, visit their Web site at

http://www.LuxuryCruiseCounselors.com, or e-mail

info@LuxuryCruiseCounselors.com.



    Cruise Holidays, established in 1984, has 116 independently-owned

locations and is the America's oldest and largest network of

cruise-specialty retail franchises in North America. The Alexandria

location specializes in the upper-premium and luxury cruise markets, is

fully licensed and insured, and has achieved Accredited Cruise Counselor

(ACC) status with the Cruise Line International Association. It is a

recommended provider for numerous cruise lines, including Oceania Cruises,

Crystal Cruises, and Cunard Line.