A&C 2016 Wine Etc. Brochure

Wine Tours

WINE ETC. COLLECTION Walking, Opera & Gourmet Tours

2016

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www.winetours.co.uk

WELCOME To the Arblaster & Clarke 2016 Wine Etc. Brochure...

4 The Wine Etc Experience

All you need to know about joining us on tour...

6 Expert Guides

Let the professionals lead the way to great champagne!

8 Sancerre and Chablis Walk 10 Burgundy Walk 12 Amalfi, Capri and Ischia Walk 14 Douro Vineyard Walk 16 Priorat & Montsant Walk 18 Rioja Walk 20 South Downs Vineyard Walk 24 Gourmet Amalfi 26 Gourmet Piemonte 28 Gourmet Whisky Tour 32 Verona Wine & Opera

D

ear Travellers,

I am very pleased to present our Wine Etc. brochure, containing our Walking, Gourmet and Opera Wine Tours. We think of these tours as perfect pairings, enabling you to indulge in two passions at once.

The character of wine comes as much from the soil as the grapes, so what better way to gain insight into a wine region than on foot? Our Walking Tours are planned for their beautiful locations: the Loire, the Amalfi Coast, the Douro Valley. Winery visits, excellent lunches and characterful hotels give a balance of walking and relaxation.

Gourmet Tours are a masterclass in how the local food and wine perfectly, almost magically, complement each other. The white truffles of Piemonte combined with spicy reds; the ‘lemonsherbet’ whites of Amalfi with fresh fish and good olive oil… Plus cooking classes, Michelin starred dining and the very best of local cuisine – delicious!

Our Opera Tour devotees old and new will be glad to see the festivals at Verona and Lucca in the brochure this year. A chance to revel in stunning Italian scenery, beautiful wines and some of the most powerful music ever written by Verdi, Bizet and Puccini.

34 Puccini Festival: Wine & Opera

If you have any questions please do contact me, or my team at the A&C office,

36 Calendar and Availability

Happy travels and happy tasting,

38 Our Tour Collections

Caron Fanshawe General Manager Arblaster & Clarke

There’s a wine tour for everyone - which will you choose?

40 Essential Booking Information 42 Bespoke Tours & Private Groups

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WINE ETC. Walking, Gourmet & Opera Tours

Which extra will you choose to pair with your wine tour? On our Gourmet holidays, food takes centre stage and wine is selected to complement it. Gourmet is so much more than ‘fine dining’ - the meals you enjoy on tour will vary enormously from hearty regional fare to nouvelle cuisine. Our Opera experiences are refined affairs and wine is deeply ingrained in the culture.

Enjoy evenings at world-famous venues, watching passionate performances of some of the most heart-rending stories ever committed to song. Our Vineyard Walks aren’t walking holidays that pass through wine regions - these are genuine wine tours on foot. Explore the vineyards; discover differences in terroir and aspect; and learn more during our tastings. There’s just one thing you need to remember on an A&C Etc. tour… stop and look around you: the scenery is sure to be breathtaking.

Wine with an extra special addition...

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Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

WALKING, OPERA & GOURMET TOURS All you need to know about joining us on tour...

Vineyard Walks

Take the oppotunity to slowly get to know the region… See the winemaking process where it truly begins - in the vineyards. We cover up to eight miles a day, depending on the terrain we’re wandering through. Burgundy offers a gentle rolling countryside; whilst Piemonte has a breathtaking range of mountains to traverse; and it is often possible to walk from winery to winery on our UK tours!

Opera Experiences

Gaining popularity in 16th century Italy opera is synonymous with cosmopolitan cities such as Verona, Vienna, Paris, Florence. These are the same places where wine appreciation is an accepted (and adored) part of the culture - so it’s no surprise that wine growing regions are found nearby. Join us as we spend our days on tour exploring stunning vineyards, meeting with amiable producers and relaxing over leisurely lunches at top wine estates. In the evening we make our way to world-famous venues, to immerse ourselves in operatic drama of the higest calibre.

Gastronomic Delights

Gourmet doesn’t just mean stops at a series of Michelin starred restaurants, or lavish meals in extravagant settings. To us, gourmet can also include top quality local ingredients perfectly cooked, no matter where it’s served - from typical café, cooked on a stove in a vineyard kitchen, or presented in a famous restaurant. Wine is still important of course, but our focus is squarely on regional wines.

We will look at estates who don’t just make, but “grow” their wines – both the traditionalists and those at the cutting edge of small scale production. Bon appétit!

Who Travels On Our Tours?

Superb Accommodation

Unparalleled Expertise

Bespoke Experiences

If you enjoy fine wine and have a thirst to learn more, these holidays are perfect for you.

The level of wine knowledge varies within our groups - you may be looking to add to an already extensive cellar or may simply like the idea of tasting great wines, where they were made. Everyone is welcome to join us on tour. You are guaranteed to be travelling with people who share your interests and you only have to dine alone if you wish to.

You will be joined by an Expert Wine, Gourmet or Walking Guide. These are some of the most respected figures in their industries - experienced professionals, award-winning writers, and Masters of Wine. They are perfectly placed to introduce you to the best producers and finest wines. Our Walking Tours are accompanied by a Tour Manager and a driver who is on hand to transfer our bags, and pick up any wine you have bought.

Small Group

We spend a lot of time and resources sourcing the best accommodation to complement our tours. We stay in beautiful boutique hotels, charming châteaux, private wine-estates and on-board luxury yachts. Many of the hotels we stay in are also home to renowned restaurants.

There are no early starts on these tours and there is plenty of available time to explore the gorgeous cities we stay in.

We’ve had the pleasure of arranging private wine tours since we first began touring in 1986. From American wine clubs travelling to Alsace and Argentina; to exclusive groups of wine connoisseurs from Hong Kong touring Burgundy; then there was that Irish wine merchant’s wedding in Portugal... basically, we’ve arranged it all! If you have an idea for your perfect tour - give us a call or email us with the details - with enough notice we can create something perfect just for you.

We only take small groups (average 20 guests) on our Wine Etc. tours. We think this is the perfect size to ensure you enjoy good company on tour - but small enough to retain a personal experience. This is a holiday after all. You will have plenty of opportunity to ask questions during wine tastings and visits.

Optional Cultural Excursions

In addition to wine visits, we always include optional culture and historical excursions on our tours. Led by the Tour Manager or Expert Guide, these give a more rounded picture of a region. As well as a break from wine, should you need one! Detail of excursions are available on our website.

For further advice, information and to book, ask our in-house experts: Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

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TRAVEL WITH EXPERT GUIDES Let the professionals lead the way to great wine!

Each of our tours is accompanied by an Expert Wine Guide - whose job it is to ensure you get the best out of the region you are visiting. All of the guides who travel with us have an incredible but accessible expanse of knowledge. They make light of talking in depth, and can make even the most complex wine issues interesting and easy to understand.

Many of our guides have worked in the trade for countless years; while others are renowned wine writers and broadcasters; and some are Masters of Wine (MW) - the highest qualification available in the wine trade. Whoever they are, one thing is certain - they like nothing more than a good glass of wine!

Paul Attwood-Philippe

Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Caron Fanshawe

Lys Hall

Paul Attwood-Philippe lives in Burgundy and works as the Export Manager for Domaine Louis Max in Nuits-St-Georges.

Paul spends most of the year travelling throughout the great wine regions of the world tasting.

He is the perfect person to lead you on this walking tour.

Tom Bruce-Gardyne has written about the drink industry for over 20 years. Initially focusing on wine, he progressed to whisky when he moved back to Scotland in 1998. He writes for The Sunday Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers and Whisky Magazine. He wrote ‘The Scotch Whisky’ book in 2002.

Caron Fanshawe is A&C’s General Manager. Her interest in wine began whilst working at Christie’s Education - running the Christie’s Wine Course. Having always loved travelling, she joined A&C over 17 years ago. She loves her job, as it allows her to combine two of her greatest interests.

Lys Hall is an established lecturer on the wines of Europe and an expert on those of Italy and Spain.

She has a degree in Art History and a passion for Mediterranean history, as well as good all-round knowledge of the countries themselves. She has been wine guiding for more than a decade.

Paul will be leading the Burgundy Walk tour - p.10

Tom will be leading the Gourmet Whisky tour - p.28

Caron will be leading the South Downs Vineyard Walk - p.20

Lys will be leading the Verona Wine & Opera tour - p.32

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Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

Ellen Lewis

Leonie Loudon

Marianna Polverino

Ellen Lewis spent a year in France working for Champagne Taittinger, whilst studying for her French degree at Bristol University. It was here that she realised that a career in wine was for her. Ellen has a great passion for French wine, especially Champagne.

Leonie Loudon is a published travel and wine writer. She graduated in Spanish & History of Architecture from Newcastle University. She gained WSET Level 3 with Merit and certification from the Association of Italian Sommeliers. She is fluent in Italian, French and Spanish.

Marianna Polverino grew up in Ischia. She has a degree in ecotourism, and loves nothing more than walking through vineyards and tasting good food.

She is keen to share her love of Ischia – its aromas, folklore, breathtaking views and much more - with you.

Ellen will be leading the Sancerre and Chablis Walk - p.8

Leonie is leading Gourmet Amalfi p. 24 and the Puccini Festival - p.34

Marianna will be leading the Amalfi, Capri & Ischia Walk - p.12

Rachel Ritchie

Giovanni de Rose

Ronald Weustink

Rachel Ritchie is fluent in English, Spanish, Catalan, French and German. She has a diverse understanding of Catalonia’s history and geography and has lived in Priorat since 1996. She works closely with the wineries there and in the rest of Spain.

Giovanni de Rose is a certified educator and wine lover. His passion began in childhood helping his grandfather produce wine in southern Italy. He studied at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and currently works as a Cellar Master in Pall Mall.

Ronald Weustink worked in the Dutch wine trade for eight years before moving to Portugal. He moved to the Douro, where he runs a guest house, which also produces its own ports and wines.

He has escorted many tours for Arblaster & Clarke over the years.

Rachel will be leading the Priorat & Montsant Walk - p.16

Giovanni will be leading the Gourmet Piemonte tour - p.26

Ronald will be leading the Douro Vineyard Walk - p.14 and the Rioja Walk - p.18

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SANCERRE AND CHABLIS WALK Soak up the scenery moving from the Loire Valley to northernmost Burgundy...

Highlights ◊◊ Ideal for white wine lovers! Visit three of the world’s top white wine regions: Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Chablis ◊◊ Special access to Grand Cru and Premier Cru producers in Chablis ◊◊ Stay in the peaceful hilltop town of Sancerre and the historic city of Auxerre and visit the medieval stone village of Chablis ◊◊ Tastings at beautiful chateaux en route including Chateau de Tracy

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Join this classic vineyard walk contrasting the finest Sancerre with the stately Grand Cru Chablis. Walk the scattered vineyards of Sancerre - which lie within a series of small valleys cut through the chalk that runs from the White cliffs of Dover down through to Chablis. We visit leading producers whose wines complement the excellent local goats cheese; and are guests of the Estutt d’Assay family, at the beautiful home, which has been in their family for 400 years.

In the picturesque town of Chablis, the delights of the Grand and Premier Crus await us – tasting is so much better after a morning walk along the river.

Here, we enjoy special access to vineyards and a tasting at Domaine Gouailhardou. This tour offers a wonderful combination of classic French wine, food and landscapes – and a real in-depth introduction to some of the best white wines Europe has to offer.

6th Jun - 11th June £1,945

Sgl Supp - £210 Deposit pp: £300 Without trains pp: £1,795 Price inc. Return train, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover.” Clifton Fadiman

Itinerary Day 1 – Monday, 6th June We meet in Sancerre where you are welcomed with drinks and dinner at our hotel. Take some time to enjoy the fabulous views over hills and vineyards.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Tuesday, 7th June Our first walk is from Sancerre to Chavignol, crossing the slopes of the Monts Damnés vineyards. We are rewarded with a tasting at Domaine Henri Bourgeois. After lunch, we sample the region’s other great local export – goat’s cheese at Fromagerie Dubois-Boulay. We end the day with a gentle walk back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 3 – Wednesday, 8th June We walk from Sancerre to Château de Tracy for a tasting of Pouilly-Fumé. The beautiful property remains in the hands of the Estutt d’Assay family who have owned the château since the late 16th century. Following a picnic on the banks of the Loire we walk on to Château

de Ladoucette in Pouilly-Fumé, for a tasting.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 4 – Thursday, 9th June This morning we take a scenic drive to Chablis.

Having arrived, we stretch our legs with a walk around the Grand Cru of Chablis before continuing to Domaine Gouailhardou, a wine grower in the centre of the medieval village.

We enjoy a picnic on the banks of the River Yonne and some free time in Chablis.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 5 – Friday, 10th June On our final day we change from whites to sample the light reds that are the village of Irancy’s specialism. Finally, we walk to SaintBris-le-Vineux and visit Domaine Bersan to taste their unique wines in 11th century cellars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 6 – Saturday, 11th June We check out of our hotel this morning.

Meals: Breakfast

Wine Guide Ellen Lewis spent a year in France working for Champagne Taittinger, whilst studying for her French degree at Bristol University. It was here that she realised that a career in wine was for her! Having travelled extensively throughout France, Ellen has a great passion for their wines, especially Champagne.

The Wines ◊◊ Sancerre – most famous for whites made exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc refreshingly high in acidity, showing notes of flint ◊◊ Pouilly-Fumé – across the river from Sancerre, with ‘fume’ referring to it characteristically smoky bouquet ◊◊ Chablis - white wines made from Chardonnay with green apple and citrus notes, can be oaked or unoaked

What’s Included ௑௑ 5 nights in 3* hotels set in lovely locations ௑௑ All meals with wine as described in the itinerary ௑௑ Return trains from London ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Wine Guide and Tour Manager

*Walks may cover up to 8 miles a day.

FRANCE

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BURGUNDY WALK Join us as we wander through this historic and highly respected region…

Highlights ◊◊ Burgundy is considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world – sample some divine Pinot Noir and exceptional Chardonnay ◊◊ Make your way through a truly beautiful landscape - rolling green hills dotted with lush vineyards, fragrant mustard fields and medieval villages ◊◊ By walking through the appellations you will gain a greater understanding of the terroir that makes great Burgundy wine

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Burgundy produces some of the most celebrated wines in the world. Across its five sub-regions, 100 different appellations, a range of individual vineyards and more than 3,000 individual producers make up to 15 million cases of wine every year. Join us as we sample a selection of the most interesting whilst enjoying the gorgeous landscape.

We walk through beautiful villages, and famous vineyards, enjoying a couple of picnics amongst the vines. We spend time in Beaune, with its beautiful maze of cobbled medieval streets - lined with wine shops, tempting delicatessens and museums. We also stay in a small well run hotel that used to be a winery and a delightful hotel set in an 18th century property, formerly owned by a winegrower.

13th - 18th June £1,975

Sgl Supp - £270 Deposit pp: £300 Without trains pp: £1,825 Price inc. Return trains, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“To take wine into our mouths is to savor a droplet of the river of human history.” New York Times, 1967

Itinerary Day 1 – Monday, 13th June We arrive at our hotel for welcome drinks, before dinner and our first tasting.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Tuesday, 14th June Our first route takes us from Vougeot to Gevrey-Chambertin, through ChambolleMusigny and Morey-St-Denis. We enjoy two tastings and a picnic lunch amongst the vines, with wines from the villages we’ve passed through today. After lunch, we will stop for a tasting at Domaine Alain Jeanniard. This domaine is, as yet, relatively undiscovered but serious Burgundy lovers will recognise the excellent quality and outstanding value of the wines. Our second visit this afternoon will be to Pierre Bourée. They will host our visit and choose a selection of their wines to present to us in an informative but relaxed tasting.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 – Wednesday, 15th June We cut round the top of the Clos de Vougeot to walk through the vineyards of Échezeaux and drop down into Vosne-Romanée this morning.

We stop at Domaine Bernard Rion, one of the best producers in the village. They have Grand Cru wines from Vosne-Romanée, Clos Vougeot and Chambolle-Musigny, plus Nuits St Georges.

This afternoon we visit Domaine Louis Max. The house was originally founded in Nuits St Georges by Evgueni Louis Max in 1859.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 4 – Thursday, 16th June Enjoy some free time in Beaune, a beautiful historic town, filled with many fine 17th century buildings, some roofed with colourful Burgundian roof tiles. The town is a maze of cobbled medieval streets, lined with smart wine shops, tempting delicatessens and museums.

There are also a number of négociant houses in Beaune, such as Bouchard Père & Fils, Jadot and Louis Latour. This afternoon, we continue on our walk covering the great reds of the Côte de Beaune. We end in the famous white wine village of Meursault.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 5 – Friday, 17th June This morning, we visit Domaine Michel Prunier, a family owned and run estate in Auxey-Duresses. We taste a range of wines with a member of the family. After the tasting we walk through the pretty village and vineyards back to Meursault where we stop for a picnic lunch before setting off to Puligny-Montrachet for the final tasting of our tour. We enjoy dinner together this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 6 – Saturday, 18th June This morning we depart for our journey home.

Meals: Breakfast

*Walks may cover up to 8 miles a day.

Wine Guide Paul Attwood-Philippe lives in Burgundy and works as the Export Manager for Domaine Louis Max in Nuits-St-Georges.

Paul spends most of the year travelling throughout the great wine regions of the world tasting.

He is the perfect person to lead you on this walking tour.

The Wines ◊◊ Burgundy produce some of the finest wines in the world ◊◊ Glass of Red: Pinot Noir & Gamay ◊◊ Beaujolais: famous for its vibrant, fruity red wines made from Gamay ◊◊ Drop of White: Chardonnay & Aligoté ◊◊ Spot of Sparkling: Crémant ranging from very dry “brut” styles to sweeter “doux” varieties

What’s Included ௑௑ Return trains from London ௑௑ 5 nights in 3* hotels with breakfast ௑௑ All meals with wine as described in the itinerary ௑௑ Local transport: private A/C coach ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Wine Guide and Tour Manager

FRANCE

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AMALFI, CAPRI AND ISCHIA WALK Walk the ‘path of the Gods’ discovering unspoilt landscapes and equally unspoilt wines…

Highlights ◊◊ Beautiful walks, we ascend high above the coast with spectacular views, and truly unspoilt countryside ◊◊ Special access to the cellars of Marisa Cuomo, built into the limestone Amalfi cliffs ◊◊ Delicious food with seafood, lemons (from the lemon groves we walk through!) beautifully complementing the freshness, citrus and minerality of the wines. ◊◊ Travel to the lovely islands of Ischia and Capri

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Rising above the great sweep of the Bay of Naples, the steep limestone terraces of the Amalfi coast boast some of the most beautiful views in all Italy. This walking tour covers both coastal paths – where the air is filled with the scent of jasmine, lemon leaves, and the wooded mountains above. We also ‘hop’ across to Capri and Ischia, where we stay on the lower slopes of the extinct volcano Monte Epomeo…

The local wines are the real stars here. The area has some very old surviving vines, and a thriving tradition of wine-making, that makes good use of native grape varieties. The wines of Marisa Cuomo, are a stunning example. We have a special invitation to descend into the cellars – cut into limestone cliffs.

The wines were described as ‘standout’ by the LA Times and the visit is only one of many highlights of this beautiful and underrated wine region.

11th - 17th Sep £2,195

Sgl Supp - £250 Deposit pp: £300 Without flights pp: £2,015 Price inc. return flights, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“Give me wine to wash me clean of the weatherstains of cares” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Itinerary Day 1 – Sunday, 11th September We arrive in time for dinner at our hotel restaurant, Bacco. Their menu features many wonderful fish dishes and local specialities.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Monday,12th September After breakfast, our first walk begins in Paterno, a short distance from the centre of Tramonti and we enjoy a walk of around one and a half hours with some lovely flora and fauna. We make our way to a wine-tasting and lunch at Tenuta San Francesco, one of the leading estates on the Amalfi coast. We continue to Ravello for free time to shop or visit the beautiful gardens of Villa Cimbrone.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 3 – Tuesday, 13th September This morning, we walk to Praiano followed by a visit to a small and traditional producer of one of the most well-known liqueurs of the region - Limoncello. After our morning visit we head back to Praiano for light lunch at an excellent

trattoria. We then have a short walk after lunch through pretty alleyways, to the beach.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 4 – Wednesday, 14th September We drive to Agerola to visit a small producer of the famous “Fior di Latte” mozzarella cheese. Here we will see the production from start to finish and taste the finished product!

Afterwards, we walk along the ‘Sentiero degli Dei’, (the ‘footpath of the Gods’). We also enjoy an early evening visit to Cantine Marisa Cuomo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 5 – Thursday, 15th September This morning we take the ferry to Capri. Our walk begins with a steep uphill section to the Old Town, past the Roman Palace of Villa Jovis.

Enjoy some free time here before descending via a quiet road and steps to our late lunchtime visit at the Scala Fenicia Domaine. This is a small winery with just one wine. The vines are trained unusually high and are intertwined with lemons!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 6 – Friday, 16th September This morning’s walk affords us truly magnificent views of the Ischian coast line.

Lunch today is at one of the leading wine estates on the island - Pietratorcia. This estate is owned by the charming Vito and his very hospitable wife Rosanna. Their young winemaker is creating some refreshing whites from varieties indigenous to the island of Ischia alongside some more complex but not overbearing reds.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 7 – Saturday, 17th September This morning’s walk is to the Aragonese Castle which sits dramatically out at sea. We return to Ischia for free time before catching the ferry back to Naples. We return home this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

*Walks may cover up to 8 miles a day.

Wine Guide Marianna Polverino grew up in Ischia. She has a degree in ecotourism, and loves nothing more than walking through vineyards and tasting good food.

She is keen to share her love of Ischia – its aromas, folklore, breathtaking views and much more - with you. She is sure to be a wonderful companion.

The Wines ◊◊ Some extremely old vines and fascinating local grape varieties ◊◊ In the white corner we have Falanghina, Pepella that gives a fresh lemon-sherbet taste, Ginestra – a floral ‘broom’ character, Fenile – citrus notes ◊◊ For the reds, as well as the excellent Aglianico and the fruity Piedirosso, we find the the dark and acid Tintore, delicious! ◊◊ You should also enjoy a glass or two of ice-cold Limoncello

What’s Included ௑௑ Return flights: London to Naples ௑௑ Six nights in 3 & 4* hotels ௑௑ All meals with wine ௑௑ Local transport: A/C minibus; Ferries from Amalfi to Capri, Capri to Ischia, Ischia to Naples ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Wine Guide and Tour Manager

ITALY

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DOURO VINEYARD WALK Discover so much more than those famous fortified wines…

Highlights ◊◊ Visit and dine with a series of the top single estate Port lodges that also produce some of the best table wines ◊◊ Meet some of the dynamic characters of the region - inlcuding respected Portuguese enologist Joao Nicolau de Almeida ◊◊ Walk centuries old paths, across the unspoilt UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Douro Valley ◊◊ Enjoy traditional Portuguese food and the famous hospitality, which the Portuguese offer with such grace and charm

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When you think of Portuguese wine you surely think of fortified Port first - but there are so many more varieties here. This is a historic spot - the vineyards haven’t changed for nearly 2000 years.

Sample superb wines filled with character - including some particularly robust reds. Our visits will prove to you - without a doubt - that Douro Valley deserves to be considered as one of the most important and fascinating wine regions of the world.

Every day, we go out walking in the vineyards either in the quiet side valleys or down by the river.

The views as we walk are really quite stunning and during the day we will enjoy picnic lunches accompanied by local wine in the vineyards, in locations specifically selected to take in the panoramas.

18th - 23rd Apr £1,750

Sgl Supp - £225 Deposit pp: £300 Without flights pp: £1,565 Price inc. return flights, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“Drink wine, not labels.”

Dr. Maynard Amerine

Itinerary Day 1 – Monday, 18th April We arrive for dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Tuesday, 19th April This morning we walk towards Celeiros, and to Quinta do Portal, one of the fast rising stars of the Douro Valley. As well as their award winning ports, they produce a range of table wines including single varietal from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa and Tinto Roriz.

There are some stunning views as we walk into the Pinhao Valley and stop for a picnic lunch near the chapel of Paradelinha. We continue to one of the most dynamic partnerships representing the modern face of the Douro Valley. Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Serôdio Borges’ wine, Pintas, is wonderfully complex and made from 70-year-old vines.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 3 – Wednesday, 20th April After breakfast, we visit Quinta do Pessegueiro.

Owned since 1991 by French textile owner,

Roger Vannier, it is managed by his Burgundian son-in-law and their wine maker is the respected Portuguese enologist Joao Nicolau de Almeida. From the land of the Upper Douro, they are producing some intense and complex reds. We continue to Quinta Vale D. Maria, a small, but excellent estate. The family produce some of the most outstanding table wines in the valley as well as their seductive ports.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 4 – Thursday, 21st April Our first visit this morning is to the 18th century estate, Quinta do Tedo which lies where the Douro and the Tedo rivers meet. An interesting estate owing to the influences of the current owners who hail from Burgundy and California respectively. We continue on foot to Quinta de Napoles, located at the left margin of the Tedo river. We cross to Quinta da Cavadinha, which was founded in 1670 by two Englishmen. Their Cavadinha ports are easily recognisable by their freshness on the nose.

This is due in large part to the late ripening of their vineyards which have many old plants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 5 – Friday, 22nd April After breakfast, we walk up to the vineyards of Quinta do Noval, one of the most beautifully maintained quintas in the Douro Valley. We taste some of their ports among the vines to appreciate the stunning view from this property. We continue to Quinta da Ervamoira, who were responsible for pioneering work in the Douro Superior. They have an interesting museum that we visit before our extensive tasting that continues over lunch. We return to Pinhao by train, before our final dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 6 – Saturday, 23rd April We return home today.

Meals: Breakfast

*Walks may cover up to 8 miles a day.

Wine Guide Ronald Weustink worked in the Dutch wine trade for eight years before moving to Portugal. He moved to the Douro, where he runs a guest house, which also produces its own ports and wines.

He has escorted many tours for Arblaster & Clarke over the years.

The Wines ◊◊ Discover native grapes, with impossible sounding names like “Escana Cao” ◊◊ Full-bodied, fruit-driven red Ports include - Ruby, Reserve, Vintage, Late Bottled vintage and Tawny, which is aged for longer in oak casks ◊◊ White Ports, made from classic white Port grapes are available in sweeter or drier styles ◊◊ Robust reds are also produced in the Douro Valley

What’s Included ௑௑ Return flights: London to Porto ௑௑ 5 nights in a Quinta hotel with breakfast ௑௑ All meals with wine ௑௑ Local transport: private A/C coach ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Wine Guide and Tour Manager

PORTUGAL

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PRIORAT & MONTSANT WALK The paradox of Priorat - both old and new - an ancient region, unknown outside of Catalonia until just 30 years ago...

Highlights ◊◊ Walk through picturesque vineyards and impressive landscapes of the Priorat & Montsant regions ◊◊ Visit the leading and pioneering wine producers of the regions ◊◊ Explore Siurana, a beautiful hilltop village with pretty houses and quaint cobbled streets ◊◊ Discover Gratallops, where the cellars of several leading producers are located

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The beautiful red wines produced here are renowned for their power and density - and often command high prices. They are some of the best wines in Spain - not surprising when you consider that Rioja and Priorat are the only DOC in Spain.

Montsant is a more recent discovery as a wine destination, appearing on the wine scene radar less than fifteen years ago. Often referred to as “the poor man’s Priorat”, not quite so brilliant, but much more affordable.

Our walking tour takes us through Catalunya in North East Spain. In Priorat, we discover vineyards that lie on steep slopes and terraced plots. We travel through the beautiful hilltop village of Siurana; and find Gratallops overlooking the Siurana River.

16th - 22nd May £1,995

Sgl Supp - £300 Deposit pp: £300 Without flights pp: £1,845 Price inc. return flights, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

NEW

“Drinking wine is just a part of life, like eating food.”

Francis Ford Coppola

Itinerary

Wine Guide Rachel Ritchie is fluent in English, Spanish, Catalan, French and German. She has a diverse understanding of the history and geography of Catalonia, and has lived in Priorat since 1996. She works closely with the wineries both here and in other regions of Spain.

Day 1 – Monday, 16th May We check into our hotel and stop for lunch.

Our Wine Guide will give an introduction to the region, before a circular walk through the vineyards of pioneering Priorat winemakers.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

top vineyards and then towards DOQ Priorat and the characteristic Llicorella slate soils. We stop at Borda Sabaté, a tiny estate owned by the enterprising Sabaté brothers. We enjoy a picnic in their back garden.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 – Tuesday, 17th May We drive out to La Morera de Montsant and walk the Carthusian way down to the monastery - where the first bottled wines of Priorat were made. We continue to Scala Dei, one of the most traditional estates in the region. The hike continues over the hills to the charming village of La Vilella Alta where we stop for a picnic lunch at a natural spring.

We walk back to Gratallops until we arrive at a modern new build Trossos winery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 – Thursday, 19th May We drive up to another high altitude village, La Morera de Montsant. From here we will take the old packhorse trail down to Poboleda where we will meet the pioneering Doix family. We continue over the ridge to the village of Torroja.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

◊◊ Although some white and rosé can be found, Priorat is an overwhelmingly red region

Day 5 – Friday, 20th May Today we venture back into DO Montsant territory and the village of Capçanes, where we begin our walk today. We take a track, high up in the Montalt mountains where the first “Vi de Finca” estate winery of the DO Montsant is located. We walk back down on the same track to Capçanes village, where we will taste some Kosher wines in Celler de Capçanes with award winning winemaker, Angel Teixidor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

◊◊ Montstant produces reds from Garnacha and Cariñena, with the best originating from old vines on steep slopes.

Day 3 – Wednesday, 18th May Today we travel up to one of the highest villages in Priorat county. We tour and taste at Ficaria Vins – a family-run winery with stunning cliff

Day 6 – Saturday, 21st May We spend the morning in the company of the most charming vintner in Priorat, Mr Fancesc Capafons. We visit his nearby vineyard Mas de Masos - one of the most acclaimed estates in DOQ Priorat. The walk will take us from Mas de Masos, through Ester Nin’s acclaimed Planetes vineyard as well as other famous estates before arriving in the little village of Porrera for lunch. After lunch we taste at Vall Llach winery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 7 – Sunday, 22nd May Our last day in Priorat will include a circular hike around the beautiful cliff-top village of Siurana. We return home this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast *Walks may cover up to 8 miles a day.

The Wines

◊◊ Try something different and sample Kosher wines at Celler de Capçanes

◊◊ Some international varieties are also grown here - including Cabernet Sauvignon

What’s Included ௑௑ Return flights: London to Barcelona ௑௑ 6 nights in hand-picked hotels ௑௑ All meals with wine ௑௑ Local transport: private A/C coach ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Wine Guide and Tour Manager

SPAIN

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RIOJA WALK Sample Spain in a glass…

Highlights ◊◊ Enjoy special visits and tastings that are far more in depth than usual and often sometimes continue over lunch at the bodegas ◊◊ The buzz of the harvest will be in the air - the vineyards take on multicoloured autumn hues, and it’s a great temperature for walking! ◊◊ Our base for exploring Rioja Alta is a comfortable family run hotel with a gastronomic restaurant and a wine bar

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The beautiful vineyards of Rioja lie on the River Ebro valley, with mountains to the north. In the 19th century Rioja was a region famed for white not red wines - its evolution influenced by Bordeaux.

During our tour, we see the dramatic differences in ‘terrior’ of Rioja, between the Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. The wines of Alavesa tend to be elegant and those of Alta more forceful, as you will see in the series of excellent tastings along the route at smaller bodegas and farms, including Contino, Remelluri, Baron de Ona and David Moreno.

This is a fascinating region to visit and, being on foot, you will see this from a perfect vantage point. We will enjoy special visits and our tastings will give a deep understanding of the region’s wines. There is so much to learn that tastings may sometimes continue through lunch also!

3rd - 9th Oct £2,195

Sgl Supp - £265 Deposit pp: £300 Without flights pp: £1,995 Price inc. return flights, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“Age is just a number. It’s totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine.”

Joan Collins

Itinerary Day 1 – Monday, 3rd October We enjoy dinner at our hotel’s Michelin starred retaurant tonight.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Tuesday, 4th October The main red grape variety of Rioja is the Tempranillo grape, which we will see planted in the free-standing bush vine style as we walk throughout the vineyards. The winery of David Moreno dates from 1988, but the family has been involved with wine since 1912. We walk from Badaran to visit Bodegas Florentino.

Their wines are picked in a controlled area that allows them to be classified as ‘Cordovin’ wines.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 3 – Wednesday, 5th October We begin at Remelluri. The estate of Bodegas La Granja de Nuestra Senora di Remelluri has a fantastic setting, above the river valley. Their wines are elegant and perfumed, very fine in structure and with great capacity for ageing.

*Walks may cover up to 8 miles a day.

After lunch, we walk past the Necropolis to Martinez Lacuesta. Their Reserva wine is a blend of the three grape varieties: Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo - with complex aromas.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 4 – Thursday, 6th October We walk from S. Vicente-Vilbna and Bodegas Luis Cañas. The family run bodega dates back to 1928, but the family have been involved in wine making for over 200 years. Enjoy some free time in the beautifully unspoilt hilltop town of Laguardia this afternoon. The narrow streets make it easy to stroll through to the belvedere for stunning views across the vineyards.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 5 – Friday, 7th October We walk from Samaniego to Torre de Ona, to try the incredible Harvester’s Club wines. We continue to the small village of Briones where the award winning Dinastia Vivanco wine museum is located. It is dedicated to explaining the making of wine and it covers the whole region of La Rioja, its climate and vineyards.

The process of bottling is also explained.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Wine Guide Ronald Weustink worked in the Dutch wine trade for eight years before moving to Portugal. He moved to the Douro, where he runs a guest house, which also produces its own ports and wines.

He has escorted many tours for Arblaster & Clarke over the years.

The Wines ◊◊ Tempranillo is king - but rosado Garnacha, oak-aged white Verdejo and zesty Txakoli are also common ◊◊ Rioja’s Reds - range from soft and fruity to more complex and oak-aged ◊◊ Whites - vary from lively and fruity to savoury and nutty ◊◊ Reds made from Tempranillo grapes are deep in colour with gorgeous juicy hints of dark berry fruit

What’s Included

Day 6 – Saturday, 8th October We walk from Laserna to the Contino winery.

At the heart of the estate lies a hundred yearold olive tree which gave its name to one of Spain’s most popular wines - Viña del Olivo.

This is a perfect spot for an al fresco lunch or impromptu tasting. This evening we all dine together at our hotel. This family run hotel was renovated from a 17th century ancestral home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

௑௑ Scheduled flights: London to Bilbao

Day 7 – Sunday, 9th October We return to Bilbao for free time before our flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary

௑௑ 6 nights in hand-picked hotels with breakfast ௑௑ All meals with wine ௑௑ Local transport: private A/C coach

௑௑ Wine Guide and Tour Manager

SPAIN

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SOUTH DOWNS VINEYARD WALK Take in the undulating chalk hillside as you criss-cross the National Park and the South Downs way…

Highlights ◊◊ Receive special access to some of the best vineyards, that are not open to the general public ◊◊ June is the perfect time of year for this tour, with the summer weather and beautiful scenery on this walk ◊◊ Enjoy walks that criss-cross over the National park and the South Downs way - a spectacular section of the British countryside

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This vineyard walk has been inspired by the beautiful countryside that the A&C team have the pleasure to live and work in. Discover an unbelievably rich tapestry of wildlife, landscapes, and tranquillity during our three-day tour - from rolling hills to bustling market towns. Vineyards are an increasingly common (and pleasant) sight on the south-facing slopes of the South Downs.

The chalky hills here have the same soil found in the French Champagne region. Our warm, later summers ripen the grapes but leave enough acidity to make impeccable sparkling wines and the cool breeze helps disperse moisture in the vineyards.

During our tour, we have the pleasure of visiting Nyetimber’s vineyards, where we will have the unmatched delight of tasting arguably the best sparkling wines currently produced in Britain.

3rd - 5th Jun £695

Sgl Supp - £100 Deposit pp: £100 Price inc. local transport, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“ Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance.”

Benjamin Franklin

Itinerary Day 1 – Friday, 3rd June Our tour begins at Upperton Vineyards.

Family owned and run, Andy Rogers planted Upperton Vineyard in 2005. His son James joined him as viticulturalist after a background in agriculture, bringing a passion for sustainability. We continue to Nyetimber. Vines were first planted here in 1988. Dutch businessman, Eric Heerema, has been committed to investing in the very best technology to produce wines of Grande Marque standard. This part of England shares similar conditions with the Champagne region in France. Nyetimber was among the first brand in England to grow only Champagne grape varieties. We enjoy dinner at our hotel tonight, an original 17th century coaching inn, situated at the highest point in Hampshire.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 2 – Saturday, 4th June We start the day at Hambledon Vineyard.

Established in 1952, this is England’s oldest commercial vineyard. Whilst wine has been

produced in England since Roman times, the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII brought an end to large scale wine production until the planting of this vineyard in the 1950’s.

Wines from Hambledon have been served on the QE2, in the Houses of Parliament and in British embassies around the world. We continue to East Meon Vineyard. Part of the house includes a medieval court house dating from 1395. Our final visit is to Exton Park, a relatively new vineyard, set on the slopes of rolling chalklands at the heart of Hampshire. It is one of the largest in the country at 55 acres, planted on terroir that precisely mirrors the famous Champagne vineyards just across the Channel and with a similar cool, northerly climate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 3 – Sunday, 5th June You have the choice of returning home or walking down the steep Shoulder of Mutton in Petersfield to enjoy the farmers’ market.

Meals: Breakfast

Wine Guide Caron Fanshawe is the General Manager at Arblaster & Clarke.

Her interest in wine began whilst working at Christie’s Education in the running of the Christie’s Wine Course. Having always loved travelling, joining Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours over 17 years ago allowed her to combine two of her greatest interests.

The Wines ◊◊ Sharing the same soil type and climatic conditions as the Champagne region, the south east corner of the UK excels at producing world-class sparkling wines... that impress more and more as the years go by ◊◊ Still whites and reds are also produced, but this is in relatively small quantities ◊◊ The white wines you find produced in England are typically light-bodied and lowalcohol with floral perfume and refreshing acidity

What’s Included ௑௑ 2 nights in a pub B&B ௑௑ Local transport: private A/C minibus ௑௑ All meals included with wine ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Expert Wine Guide

*Walks may cover up to 8 miles a day.

UK

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Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

www.winetours.co.uk

GOURMET TOURS “Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.”

Paulo Coelho

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GOURMET AMALFI Discover the culinary delights of this beautiful land…

Highlights ◊◊ Discover a range of artisanal food and drinks producers and experience the best gourmet delights of the Amalfi Coast and the Cilento ◊◊ Meet with a limoncello producer, leading organic buffalo mozzarella farm, traditional fig producer, organic olive oil mill and a selection of the region’s wine producers! ◊◊ Enjoy a cookery demonstration and learn how to make delicious local dishes ◊◊ Stay in hand-picked hotels with gorgeous sea views

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Amalfi is a pretty little place and a true gourmet getaway. Sample the best artisanal food and taste the most delicious wines available on the Amalfi Coast. In between visits to a selection of the finest wine producers. Enjoy fresh and floral white wines, and dark, fruity reds, that perfectly complement the delicious regional delights. You’ll be able to take the secrets to authentic Italian cooking home with you too - thanks to a private cookery lesson .

During our trip, we have plenty of time to explore a wonderful array of destinations aside from Amalfi itself. The hill-top village of Ravello is home to the Villa Rufolo - renowned for its magnificent gardens.

We also stop in Santa Maria di Castellabate, a small fishing village in the heart of the Cilento National Reserve. We also enjoy private guided tours with local guides at Paestum and Herculaneum.

4th - 9th Apr 3rd - 8th Oct £2,450

Sgl Supp - £275 Deposit pp: £300 Without flights pp: £2,175 Price inc. return flights, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“Wine is meant to be with food - that’s the point of it.”

Julia Child

Itinerary Day 1 – Monday, 4th April | 3rd October Enjoy some free time in Amalfi when we arrive.

In the town, you’ll find the exquisite 10th century Cathedral with a beautiful facade as well as a paper mill making hand crafted paper.

This afternoon, our hotel’s chef will entertain us with a cookery demonstration of local dishes that you can recreate at home for friends and family. We enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant tonight. Their menu features many wonderful fish based dishes and local specialities.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Tuesday, 5th April | 4th October Learn how limoncello is produced this morning and sample this delicious Italian liqueur.

We continue to Tenuta San Francesco. They make a very appealing range of wines including the more complex Riserva wines. The rest of your day is free to explore Ravello. One of the key attractions here is the Villa Rufolo which was home to King Robert of Anjou and several popes. We dine at our hotel tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 – Wednesday, 6th April | 5th October Our first visit is to De Conciliis. The family run winery is tucked away in the heart of the Cilento region. Their wines range from the glorious Vigna Perella from Fiano grapes through to a stunning Naima from Aglianico.

We visit a traditional fig producer where we taste the highly prized dried white Cilento Figs.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 4 – Thursday, 7th April | 6th October We spend a morning at a leading organic buffalo farm. We’ll meet and learn about the animals, see how mozzarella is made and sample their products over lunch, including one of the most delicious ice-creams, made with buffalo milk on the spot. We continue to Paestum, a major ancient Greek monument. It was the ancient Greek colony of Poseidon and there are substantial remains of the 7th century BC Doric temples, as well as an interesting museum. Tonight we dine at a restaurant with a wonderfully tempting menu of local produce.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 5 – Friday, 8th April | 7th October We explore Sangiovanni, a lovely estate, in a beautiful location, run by husband and wife Mario Corrado and Ida Budetta, who produce award winning wines and organic olive oil.

We continue to an olive oil tasting at a small community mill which was created to keep the village alive. Savour some free time in Santa Maria di Castellabate. The small fishing village overlooks the Gulf of Salerno.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 6 – Saturday, 9th April | 8th October We visit Herculaneum, to explore the remains of this town destroyed by the eruption of Veusuvius in 79 AD. We enjoy lunch in an independent restaurant with an awe-inspiring wine list. We return home this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Wine Guide Leonie Loudon is fluent in Italian and used to live in Campania. She knows the region very well. She is a published travel and wine writer. She graduated in Spanish & History of Architecture from Newcastle University. She gained WSET Level 3 with Merit and certification from the Association of Italian Sommeliers.

The Wines ◊◊ Some extremely old vines and fascinating local grape varieties ◊◊ In the white corner we have Falanghina, Pepella that gives a fresh lemon-sherbet taste, Ginestra – a floral ‘broom’ character, Fenile – citrus notes ◊◊ For the reds, as well as the excellent Aglianico and the fruity Piedirosso, we find the dark and acid Tintore, delicious! ◊◊ You should also enjoy a glass or two of ice-cold Limoncello

What’s Included ௑௑ Return flights: London to Naples ௑௑ 5 nights in 3* & 4* hotels with sea views and breakfast ௑௑ All meals with wine ௑௑ Local transport: private A/C coach ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Expert Wine Guide

ITALY

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GOURMET PIEMONTE Slow food and fine wine… welcome to Piemonte.

Highlights ◊◊ Piemonte is the home of some of Italy’s finest wines - particularly Barolo and Barbaresco - visit several of the region’s leading producers ◊◊ Visit during the white truffle season and go on a truffle hunt with a local truffle hunter ◊◊ Gourmet experiences galore: enjoy a chocolate tasting, Slow Food dinner, grappa tasting and a visit to a Turin food market ◊◊ Enjoy plenty of free time to explore Alba and Turin

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Piedmont, or Piemonte, is one of Italy’s most famous regions and with good reason. When people think of Piemonte, they imagine Barolo and Barbaresco, but they only account for 3% of the region’s wine production. There’s so much more waiting to be discovered – let us introduce you to a completely new set of grapes to taste and understand.

Great wine deserves great food… luckily for us it’s plentiful here in Piemonte, the birthplace of the Slow Food movement. The food is elegant, rich, diverse and full of flavour. Immerse yourself in a true gourmet experience and learn the art of abbinamento pairing delicious wine with some of the most superb food in Northern Italy. Our visit falls during the area’s white truffle season. We will go out on a truffle hunt with a local hunter, and enjoy the delicacy during lunch at their home.

25th - 30th Oct £2,450

Sgl Supp - £285 Deposit pp: £300 Without flights pp: £2,225 Price inc. return flights, all meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.”

W.C. Fields

Itinerary Day 1 – Tuesday, 25th October We arrive in Turin and transfer to our hotel, which is owned and run by the Ascheri family, who also have their cellars below the property.

Our first tasting will be here before continuing to Osteria Murivecchi for dinner tonight. Also owned and run by the Ascheri family, this popular Osteria is situated in their old cellars.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Wednesday, 26th October Piemonte is famous for its white truffles and our visit falls during their white truffle season.

We visit the woods for a truffle hunt where we will see how a truffle hunter and his dog work together to discover this delicacy. Turin is credited with being the city that brought us chocolate as we now know it and the villages of Piemonte are famed for their artisan chocolate producers. We visit a small artisan producer to taste a few samples. We enjoy dinner at the Slow Food’s flagship Osteria this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 – Thursday, 27th October Sottimano has 18 hectares in one of the greatest vineyards in Barbaresco. Run by a father and son team, their wines are made with minimal intervention. We continue to Poderi Colla.

The Colla family had a huge influence on wine production in the region for many years but in 1993, Tinto & Federica started Poderi Colla.

After lunch, you have free time to explore Alba.

With its tempting delicatessens, this is a great place to stock up on produce of the region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 4 – Friday, 28th October At our tasting at Marolo, we discover the complexity that grappa can display when made by such a passionate producer - Fontanafredda.

We continue to Fontanafredda, a former royal property and hunting lodge of King Victor Emmanuel II in the heart of the Langhe. We enjoy lunch accompanied by the estates wines.

Look out for soft tomino cheese and Cunesi dark chocolate rum truffles.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 5 – Saturday, 29th October We head off to Porta Palazzo this morning, to visit the huge expanse of open air vegetable stands and several indoor markets, with endless selections of cheeses, breads and meats.

Over lunch and throughout the afternoon, there is time to explore Turin further. There are many splendid Palazzi and large squares with lots of cafes to indulge in the city’s splendid coffee. Our day ends at the Mole Antonelliana a typical Piemontese restaurant, situated opposite the symbol of Turin.

Meals: Breakast, Lunch & Dinner Day 6 – Sunday, 30th October After a final lunch together, we return to the airport for our flights home.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Wine Guide Giovanni de Rose is a WSET certified educator and wine lover. His passion began in childhood when he would help his grandfather produce wine in the south of Italy. He studied at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust in London and currently works as Cellar Master in one of the most prestigious clubs in Pall Mall.

The Wines ◊◊ Piemonte is most famous for its red wines ◊◊ Regional Grapes - Nebbiolo - produces complex, perfumed wines, with aromas of red fruits, roses and spice - Barbera and Dolcetto produce softer more approachable wines that are ready to drink in their youth ◊◊ White wines are made from the Arneis variety and are fresh and perfumed

What’s Included ௑௑ Return flights: London to Turin ௑௑ 5 nights in 4* hotels ௑௑ All meals with wine as described in the itinerary ௑௑ Local transport: A/C coach ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Expert Wine Guide

ITALY

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GOURMET WHISKY TOUR Follow the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail from Speyside to the Isle of Skye…

Highlights ◊◊ Journey through dramatic Scottish countryside and visit one of Scotland’s most picturesque islands, the Isle of Skye ◊◊ Visit some of Scotland’s most famous distilleries across the two contrasting appellations of Speyside ◊◊ Enjoy tutored tastings and a masterclass in how to create your own whisky blend ◊◊ Go gourmet – dining at two Michelin starred restaurants ◊◊ Small group of just 10 guests

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There are so many things we associate with Scotland. Tartan, haggis, golf, Robert Burns – all are wonderful in their way, but make no mistake, this is whisky country. Scotland’s national drink has been produced here for centuries. Well where else can you find an environment as rich in the high quality ingredients that distilleries crave: pure spring water and abundant supplies of fragrant golden barley?

Starting in Speyside, we drive through Scotland’s magnificent Highlands - verdant, dramatic, magical - passing Loch Ness en route to the Isle of Skye. Join us as we go behind the scenes during distillery visits; sample fine drams of single malts; and gain an insight into the complex art of blending whisky and malt.

Speyside and Skye offer a warm welcome and an invitation to see, smell, taste and absorb the magic of wonderful whisky.

19th - 23rd Sept £2,650

Sgl Supp - £500 Deposit pp: £300 Price inc. local transport, 7 meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“Love makes the world go round? Not at all.

Whiskey makes it go round twice as fast.”

Compton Mackenzie

Itinerary Day 1 – Monday, 19th September We meet at our hotel near Inverness. We enjoy a pre-dinner tutored whisky tasting with our guide, followed by a gourmet dinner at the hotel. Our 4* hotel has two AA Rosettes for food and boasts a Silver accolade with Eat Scotland.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Tuesday, 20th September Our day begins at Glenfiddich Distillery. We taste their single malt whiskies and attend a whisky blending masterclass. We stay for lunch at Glenfiddich Malt Barn Restaurant, which serves seasonal food made with quality local ingredients. Afterwards, we pay a visit to the only working cooperage in the UK and discover the origins of the barrels that age the top whiskies of the region. We end the day at Glenrothes Distillery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Day 3 – Wednesday, 21st September We stop at a further Speyside distillery before continuing our journey through the Highlands

to the Isle of Skye, taking in the stunning Scottish scenery as we go. We stop along the way at a pub near Loch Ness. We catch a ferry to Isle of Skye this afternoon. Dinner is at our hotel’s Michelin starred restaurant tonight.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Day 4 – Thursday, 22nd September We visit the famous Talisker distillery, the only distillery on the Isle of Skye. Afterwards, we enjoy lunch at the Three Chimneys, a Michelin starred restaurant in a crofter’s stone cottage on Loch Dunvegan. We enjoy some free time in Portree tonight. The main town on the Isle of Skye has a pretty harbour backed by cliffs.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Day 5 – Friday, 23rd September We enjoy a final lunch at Inverlochy Castle today. The restaurant has been awarded 3 AA Red Rosettes and is located amongst the glens, lochs and mountains of the West Highlands of Scotland. We return home this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Whisky Guide Tom Bruce-Gardyne has written about the drink industry for more than 20 years. Initially focusing on wine, he progressed to whisky when he moved back to Scotland in 1998. He has worked for The Sunday Telegraph, Decanter, Harpers and Whisky Magazine.

He wrote ‘The Scotch Whisky’ book in 2002.

The Whiskies ◊◊ Broadly speaking, Speyside whiskies can be classified as falling into one of two camps; ◊◊ At one end of the spectrum there are the light, grassy, ‘lunchtime whiskies’ such as Glenlivet ◊◊ At the other end lie the rich, sweet, sherried qualities of Glenrothes and Macallan ◊◊ Whisky from the Isle of Skye – is often sweeter, full bodied and very peaty

What’s Included ௑௑ 4 nights in characterful Manor House hotels ௑௑ 7 meals with wine as described in the itinerary ௑௑ Local transport: A/C coach; ferry crossing to Isle of Skye ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary ௑௑ Whisky Guide

SCOTLAND

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Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

www.winetours.co.uk

WINE & OPERA TOURS “I have enjoyed great health at a great age because everyday since I can remember I have consumed a bottle of wine except when I have not felt well…then I have consumed two bottles.” -Bishop of Seville

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VERONA WINE & OPERA Renowned wines and timeless entertainment, amidst ancient surroundings.…

Highlights ◊◊ Stay in the centre of Verona with its magnificent Roman Arena, 14th century Castelvecchio, renaissance buildings and an excellent archaeological museum ◊◊ Soak up the atmosphere in the arena over an evening opera performance – an unforgettable experience ◊◊ Renowned opera and film director Franco Zeffirelli is at the helm of two of the operas we see: Turnadot and Carmen ◊◊ Which of the four fantastic operas will you choose to see?

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Journey through the wine villages of Valpolicella and the shores of Lake Garda by day, and experience the glamour of world-class Opera performed in a magical setting by night. You will taste the smooth, cherry like Valpolicella, powerful Amarone and be introduced to the “ultimate meditation wine”, Recioto! In Soave, we will taste how the Garganega grape produces world class whites, rather than the boring version typically found in the supermarket.

Visiting the opera in Verona is one of Italy’s great travel experiences. This year bear witness to four classic productions from Puccini, Verdi, and Bizet. Join us for the music, the spectacle and the experience of watching in an ancient Roman venue.

You will have plenty of free time to enjoy Verona’s Roman and medieval sites, elegant shops, wine bars and restaurants.

26th - 30th Jul £1,995

Sgl Supp - £275 Deposit pp: £300 Without flights pp: £1,785 Price inc. return flights, 4 meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“ Wine is like an opera... you can enjoy it even if you don’t understand it” Anonymous

Itinerary Day 1 – Tuesday, 26th July We arrive in Verona in time for a pre-opera supper at Ristorante Vittorio. Located in the charming Piazza Bra, it has wondeful views of the arena. Tonight’s opera is Verdi’s La Traviata.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Wednesday, 27th July We make our way to Pieropan, for a wine visit and lunch at Guerrieri-Rizzardi estate. The family produce wines from Bardolino, which are lighter in style than their cherry scented Valpolicellas. You have free time in Lazise this afternoon - one of the most delightful towns on the shores of Lake Garda. Tonight’s opera is Puccini’s Turandot.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Day 3 – Thursday, 28th July Today we visit Anselmi Osteria, in the hill top town of Soave. We are welcomed for a tasting and lunch at the estate. Enjoy some free time

in Verona after lunch. You could visit the Castelvecchio or perhaps the beautiful oasis of tranquility of Giusti Gardens. Tonight’s opera is Verdi’s Aida.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Day 4 – Friday, 29th July After a leisurely breakfast we make our way to Serego Alighieri wine estate. The grapes from here are vinified by their neighbours and partners, Masi, who are widely regarded as amongst the finest producers in Veneto. After lunch you can enjoy a final free afternoon in Verona. Tonight’s Opera is Bizet’s Carmen.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Wine Guide Lys Hall is an established lecturer on the wines of Europe and an expert on those of Italy and Spain.

She has a degree in Art History and a passion for Mediterranean history, as well as a good allround knowledge and love of the countries themselves. She has been wine guiding for over a decade.

The Wines ◊◊ Smooth, cherry like Valpolicella ◊◊ Powerful Amarone typically rich dry red wine

Day 5 – Saturday, 30th July We return to the airport for our flights home.

Meals: Breakfast

◊◊ “Ultimate meditation wine” Recioto - a dessert wine made from grapes that were dried on mats after picking. This process turns the grapes almost to raisins, concentrating their flavour

*One opera ticket of your choice is included in the price of the tour.

◊◊ In Soave the Garganega grapes produce world class whites

The Operas

La Traviata - Giuseppe Verdi Prepare yourself for tragedy. Verdi’s arias are instantly recognizable, bringing ‘the poetry of the brothel’ to opera houses across the globe.

Turandot - Giacomo Puccini This dramatic story of cold Princess Turandot and the prince determined to win her heart.

Aida - Giuseppe Verdi Forbidden love finds its way within a barbaric culture of violence and ritual sacrifice.

Carmen - Georges Bizet The most alluring and well-known opera in the world –its eponymous mezzo-soprano: a deadly cocktail of desire and devastation.

What’s Included ௑௑ Return flights: London to Verona ௑௑ 4 nights in a 4* hotel with breakfast ௑௑ 4 meals with wine as described in the itinerary ௑௑ Local transport: A/C coach ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary & 1 opera ticket ௑௑ Expert Wine Guide

ITALY

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PUCCINI FESTIVAL: WINE & OPERA Embrace the genius of Puccini in his birthplace of Lucca…

Highlights ◊◊ Enjoy wonderful performances of two of Puccini’s operas - which of his incredible works will we be treated to this year? ◊◊ During the day our wine visits will show the best now coming from the Lucchesi Hills, near to our base, which have improved incredibly over the last few years ◊◊ Visit one of the most established names of the Montecarlo denomination, Buonamico ◊◊ Sample local olive oil - nearly all the wine estates make their own delicious and almost sweet extra virgin olive oil

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Giacomo Puccini is one of the most popular opera composers of all time. The drama and the pathos of the plots is matched only by their wonderful melodies. Puccini’s birthplace acts as our base for performances of two of his exquisite works. The Massaciuccoli Lake has hosted performances of Puccini’s Operas almost every year since 1930. A stage is set up right next to the lake and again, this year, some of Puccini’s greatest works are being staged in this beautiful setting. This year you can enjoy performances of two of his wondrous works.

There will be plenty of time to sample regional wines from the Lucchesi Hills, as well as some other local specialities... Enjoy fresh olive oil made by the estates we visit. What a wonderful way to tour Puccini’s home-town.

28th - 31st Jul £1,945

Sgl Supp - £200 Deposit pp: £300 Without flights pp: £1,705 Price inc. return flights, 4 meals & tips

To book, or for any questions Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

“Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.”

William Shakespeare

Itinerary Day 1 – Thursday, 28th July We arrive in Lucca, in time for an introductory tasting over dinner at Ristorante Giglio. The typical Tuscan menu will be paired with a selection of wines from the region.

Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Friday, 29th July Our first tasting takes place at Fattoria del Buonamico. We will taste their grape varieties which are a mixture of Trebbiano, Pinot Blanc & Gris, Sauvignon, Semillon and Roussanne.

Red wines are relatively new to the region and are Sangiovese plus the noble triumvirate of Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah. We continue to the Montechiari estate. They make five wines including a brambly Merlot, a Pinot Noir and a Rosso from Sangiovese grosso. We taste these wines over lunch, which consists of a selection of local produce. Enjoy some free time in Puccini’s birthplace, Lucca, this afternoon. The city has many historical sites. We stop for a preopera snack before tonight’s performance.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 – Saturday, 30th July We travel to Colleverde this morning.

Vineyards and olive groves lie on a wide, south-facing valley dropping below sea level.

This natural amphitheatre of terraces creates an extremely well balanced and unique agricultural ecosystem. We will enjoy a tasting before a country style lunch with a further selection of their wines. Enjoy some more time in Lucca. There is a labyrinth of medieval streets, Romanesque churches and stately palazzi with designer shops and mouthwatering delis. We stop for dinner at Ristorante Da Gecco before tonight’s opera.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Day 4 – Sunday, 31st July We enjoy a final wine visit and lunch at Tenuta Lenzini. This is an exciting emerging estate in the Lucca area. Lunch will be accompanied by their spicy Syrah and powerful Bordeaux blend. We return home this afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Wine Guide Leonie Loudon is a published travel and wine writer. She graduated in Spanish & History of Architecture from Newcastle University. She gained WSET Level 3 with Merit and certification from the Association of Italian Sommeliers. She is fluent in Italian, French and Spanish.

The Wines ◊◊ Sangiovese is a widely planted variety and is often used as the main component for quality wines ◊◊ Montecarlo makes more unconventional white wines that are native to a more inland area ◊◊ Whites - Trebbiano, Pinot Blanc & Gris, Sauvignon, Semillon and Roussanne ◊◊ Reds - Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah

What’s Included ௑௑ Return flights: London to Turin ௑௑ 3 nights in a 4* hotel with breakfast ௑௑ 4 meals with wine as described in the itinerary ௑௑ Local transport: A/C coach ௑௑ Visits and tastings as per the itinerary & 2 opera tickets ௑௑ Expert Wine Guide

ITALY

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2016 CALENDAR Take a look at the year ahead in wine tours

February 14 - 27

✓

Chile, Argentina & Uruguay

Derek Smedley MW

Chile, Argentina & Uruguay

25 - 7 Mar

✓

South Australia & Victoria

Sarah Ahmed

Australia

26 - 4 Mar

✓

South Africa

Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW

South Africa

Spring Champagne

Ellen Lewis

France

✓

Ultimate Champagne

Andrew Jefford

France

✓

First Growth Bordeaux

Stephen Brook

France

Malta

Angela Muir MW

Malta

Gourmet Amalfi

Leonie Loudon

Italy

Introduction to Champagne

Ellen Lewis

France

Biodynamic Burgundy

Steven Spurrier

France

Douro Vineyard Walk

Ronald Weustink

Portugal

March 5-7

✓

7 - 11

✓

14 - 18

April 4-8

✓

4-9 NEW

14 - 16

NEW

18 - 22

✓ ✓ ✓

18 - 23

✓

18 - 23

✓

Classic Bordeaux

Conal Gregory MW

France

18 - 23

✓

Languedoc

Derek Smedley MW

France

25 - 30

✓

Provence

Monica Murphy

France

Early May Bank Holiday

Matthew Boucher

France

30 - 2 May

✓

p. 24

p. 14

May

NEW

8 - 14

✓

Slovenia & Fruili

Gabor Bánfalvi

Italy & Slovenia

9 - 13

✓

Tuscany

Lys Hall

Italy

9 - 16

✓

Portugal - North to South

Charles Metcalfe

Portugal

Priorat & Montsant Walk

Rachel Ritchie

Spain

May Bank Holiday Champagne

Conal Gregory MW

France

Alsace, Mosel & Champagne

Matthew Boucher

France

16 - 22

✓

28 - 30 29 - 4 Jun

✓ ✓

p. 16

June 3-5

✓

South Downs Vineyard Walk

Caron Fanshawe

U.K.

p. 20

6 - 11

✓

Sancerre and Chablis Walk

Ellen Lewis

France

p. 8

13 - 18

✓

Burgundy Walk

Paul Attwood-Philippe

France

p. 10

Rioja & Ribera

Rachel Ritchie

Spain

20 - 25 36

✓

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

July 18 - 23

✓

Trentino & Alto Adige

Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Italy

26 - 30

✓

Verona Wine & Opera

Lys Hall

Italy

p. 32

28 - 31

✓

Puccini Festival: Wine & Opera

Leonie Loudon

Italy

p. 34

11 - 17

✓

Amalfi, Capri & Ischia Walk

Marianna Polverino

Italy

p. 12

19 - 23

✓

Gourmet Whisky Tour

Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Scotland

p. 28

Rioja & Ribera

Conal Gregory MW

Spain

September

19 - 24

✓

October 3-8

✓

Gourmet Amalfi

Leonie Loudon

Italy

p. 18

3-9

✓

Rioja Walk

Ronald Weustink

Spain

p. 24

Pacific Northwest

Stephen Brook

USA

Early Autumn Champagne

Matthew Boucher

France

7 -15

✓

8 - 10 NEW

✓

9 - 15

✓

Veneto & Piemonte

Tom Bruce-Gardyne

Italy

9 - 17

✓

Sicily

Monica Murphy

Italy

10 - 14

✓

Tuscany

Lys Hall

Italy

17 - 22

✓

Languedoc

Derek Smedley MW

France

17 - 22

✓

Umbria

Jane Hunt MW

Italy

22 - 24 24 - 29

Late Autumn Champagne

✓ ✓

25 - 30

✓

France

Classic Bordeaux

Conal Gregory MW

France

Gourmet Piemonte

Giovanni de Rose

Italy

Introduction to Champagne

Ellen Lewis

France

Stars of the Left Bank

Nicola Arcedeckne-Butler MW

France

Madeira

Charles Metcalfe

Portugal

Stars of the Right Bank

Steven Spurrier

France

Rhône North to South

Louise Hurren

France

Burgundy Celebration

Andrew Jefford

France

Pre-Christmas Champagne

Conal Gregory MW

France

p. 26

November 3-5

✓

7 - 11 NEW

14 - 18

✓ ✓

14 - 18 14 - 19

✓ ✓

19 - 23

✓

December 3-5

✓

NEW

29 - 2 Jan 2017

✓

New Year in Barcelona

Rachel Ritchie

Spain

NEW

29 - 2 Jan 2017

✓

New Year Naples

Leonie Loudon

Italy

Original

Champagne

Wine Etc.

Reserve

Wine Etc. Collection tours are only in this brochure. Contact us on 01730 263111 for a copy of the other brochures.

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OUR TOUR COLLECTIONS We offer many different wine tours - give us a call to receive brochures for our other collections...

ORIGINAL As a guest on one of our expert led Original Wine Tours you’ll enjoy VIP access to well-known estates and châteaux, as well as up and coming wineries. This is wine as it should be enjoyed – amidst beautiful surroundings, in the company of people who are passionate about growing, making (and drinking!) it. Our Original Tours fall into 3 categories: Classic, New World and New Year;

Classic

Explore the wine and broader culture of many ‘Old World’ destinations. Our Classic tours are designed to illuminate the differences and similarities in styles, varieties and wine making.

We taste some of the finest wines available during our visits to parts of Europe you may not have had the chance to escape to before.

Explore historically rich towns and cities - visit museums, galleries and gardens. We often arrange an optional guided tour with a local guide to give you a real insight into the towns you are staying in.

New World

Discover the glories of New World wine: Australia, South Africa, the Pacific North-West, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. It may seem like a long way to go for wine - but once you sample what’s on offer, it’ll all seem worth it. These are regions where wine makers forge their own traditions and experiment with new methods. The result?

Surprising wines which rival anything the old-world has to offer.

The wine makers appreciate the miles we’ve come and take the time to explain their work, present their wines and stop to share a glass.

CHAMPAGNE These are the tours we started with, back in 1986… short breaks to our favourite place in the world, Champagne!

On these enjoyable, informative weekends, we take you to our personally recommended selection of Champagne Houses. Visit famous names that forged Champagne’s reputation as well as our choice of the smaller houses and growers. We want to show you as broad a spectrum of Champagne as possible – an expert Wine Guide will accompany you on tour and compare well known brands, to show you the various styles of Champagne and the unique flavours that come from individual villages. Stay in modern 4* city centre hotels in Reims - the entire Champagne region has UNESCO World Heritage Site status - there are plenty of monuments, museums, galleries, shops, bistros and gourmet restaurants to keep you entertained during your free time!

New Year

You shouldn’t be allowed to see the New Year in without a glass in your hand… and that glass should be filled with the best bubbles available. Our New Year tours are all about having a good time! We include several wine visits with at least one meal at a wine-estate - but there is plenty of free time to explore the town or city we are staying in. Enjoy a tour of true quality - comfortable surroundings, good food, and an emphasis on great wine. We choose 4* and 5* hotels, and track down the venue that can deliver the best party!

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“Pleasure without Champagne is purely artificial.”

Oscar Wilde Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

RESERVE Join us to visit properties that are normally absolutely closed to visitors. Taste the finest wines from the finest vintages and visit ‘unvisitable domaines’: If you have a passion for fine wine, these unique tours are for you.

Enjoy wine visits and tastings of the very highest calibre. It’s not just the wines that are exclusive, our wine guides are too. Leading the tours, you’ll find the most famous and respected names in the industry, with award winning books and a variety of accolades to their names. The exclusivity doesn’t end there… We stay at luxury chateaux and hotels, or as private guests of wine estates that are closed to the general public. We also dine at Michelin starred restaurants and authentic bistros, where local wine merchants and connoisseurs eat. Our small party sizes means that you will have plenty of time to get to know your Wine Guide and ask questions without in any way feeling inhibited and gain a greater understanding of the wines. Across our unique selection of tours, you can: taste Salon Champagne - produced from only the greatest vintages in small quantities; attend the world famous Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction; or explore the Labels Room at Château Mouton Rothschild, filled with original artwork dating back to 1945.

These are ultimate wine tours.

CRUISE What do you get when you cross a super-yacht with delicious wine? A wonderful holiday of course.

Cruise along a relaxed meandering route - from Nice to Corsica, Tuscany to Sardinia - experiencing culture, cuisine and wine tradition. Join us aboard Le Ponant, a vessel crafted to respect the tradition of famous sailing yachts. Small ship sailing is a joy - they put their larger cruise ship cousins to shame. Under full sail, gliding over the sea, you are sure to fall under Le Ponant’s spell.

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2016 ESSENTIAL BOOKING INFORMATION Useful information to guide you through the booking process.

Useful information to guide you through the booking process. Please note that bookings with Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours are accepted only in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in our full booking conditions, which can be found on our website or are available on request.

Programme changes

How to Book

Insurance

You can book now on any of the tours listed in this brochure. We are happy to provisionally reserve your places for 7 days without commitment. After this, we require a deposit to confirm your place (see below for deposit amounts).

The final balance due date is no later than 8 weeks before departure on all tours except cruises where it is due no later than 12 weeks before departure. 8 - 10 days before departure you will receive, by e-mail, the final joining instructions, outline daily tour plan and any necessary travel documentation, including flight e-tickets. Where you do not have an e-mail address this will all be sent by standard post within the UK.

Book by phone, by email or online

For bookings made by telephone or email, payment can be made by card, cheque or bank transfer (payable to Arblaster & Clarke). We accept payment by Access, Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards, and Visa and Connect debit cards. There is a 2.5% charge towards the cost of the Credit Card fees but no charge for Debit Cards.

You may provide us with your card details by phone or fax. We do not accept post-dated cheques, nor do we keep your card details.

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For the vast majority of our tours, the programme will be exactly as described in the brochure. Occasionally we do make changes to the order or number of visits. This is usually due to opening hours. We always try to tell guests in advance of any changes.

All clients must have travel insurance with medical emergency assistance, personal accident and liability cover and it is the client’s responsibility to supply A&C in writing of the policy name, number and emergency phone numbers and the name and number of a family member / friend we could contact in order to assist you. We will need to know the details of your policy 4 weeks before departure at the latest.

Deposits £100

for Champagne tours

£300

for all other tours costing up to £3000

£500

for all tours costing over £3001 (except Cruises)

£1500

for Cruises

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

Cancellation by you

Cancellation charges payable to Arblaster & Clarke are calculated on time prior to departure as follows: Cancellation charges are:

Non-Cruises

Cruises

85 days or more before departure

loss of deposit*

loss of deposit*

56 - 84 days before departure

loss of deposit*

-75%

41 - 55 days before departure

-35%

-90%

29 - 40 days before departure

-55%

-100%

8 - 28 days before departure

-75%

-100%

0 - 7 days before departure

-100%

-100%

1992 for Arblaster & Clarke, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following: 1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK; 2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other than the UK; and 3. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK, which are sold to customers outside of the UK. 1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled. 1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Arblaster & Clarke.

AITO quality charter

All additional travel arrangements and other extras, upgrades and tickets purchased and paid for at time of booking are 100% nonrefundable. Insurance claims must be made direct to your insurance company, but as soon as we receive written confirmation of the cancellation we will provide a cancellation invoice to enable you to make your claim.

Arblaster & Clarke is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators. The Association represents Britain’s leading independent tour operators and encourages high standards of quality and service.

Arblaster & Clarke abides by the Association’s Code of Conduct and adheres to the AITO Quality Charter which can be viewed on www.aito. com. Visit the website to find out more about the Association or call 020 8744 9280.

Cancellation by us

What’s included

If we have to cancel your holiday we will notify you no later than 56 days before the date of departure (85 days in the case of cruises), you will have the choice of taking an alternative holiday (and paying or receiving a refund/credit in respect of any price difference) or accepting a full refund of all monies paid.

Financial protection

Flight inclusive tours: we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s License issued by the CAA (ATOL No. 2543) which provides for your protection in the event of Arblaster & Clarke’s insolvency. The price of your air holiday packages includes the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices. When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong.

Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme as explained below.

Tours without flights arranged by us: The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations

◊◊ ◊◊ ◊◊ ◊◊ ◊◊ ◊◊

Wine Guide Tour Manager (with most groups of 15+) Scheduled flights, coach or train where stated Accommodation Wine tasting Meals with wine where stated; meals are not provided on travelling days ◊◊ Wine notes, tips, entrance to all vineyards in the programme

Committed to sustainable tourism

We work hard to ensure our visits have a positive impact on the places we go to and acknowledge the importance of AITO’s sustainable tourism ethos, which recognises the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating.

The prices in this brochure are valid for all bookings taken from 30th September 2015. Last revised September 2015.

We are Arblaster & Clarke Ltd, registered limited company no. 2966601.

Registered offices: Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours, Cedar Court, 5 College Street, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 4AE

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BESPOKE TOURS & PRIVATE GROUPS Let Arblaster & Clarke organise the perfect tour... just for you

If you have an idea for your perfect tour, let us know.

We’d love to make it a reality for you!

Over the last 30 years, we’ve arranged countless trips for private groups and companies alike. Don’t limit your imagination to just cellar visits. We can arrange multi-faceted tours that include vineyard walks, opera performances, gourmet asides - from truffle hunting to cookery courses - and historical Châteaux tours. The list goes on and on!

If you have a hankering to explore a particular region, wish to plan a trip for your group or society, or want to arrange a special celebration we would be

delighted to discuss a bespoke private tour. Every year, we organise unique tours, all over the world, tailored to groups of many shapes and sizes. From birthday Champagne weekends to ‘once in a lifetime’ tours to Australia. Group sizes can vary from 2 to 200 people! Please do get in contact to discuss your group, budgets and requirements and we will get you on your way to your dream wine tour!

Visit renowned wineries and estates, stay in the best accommodation, dine at fantastic restaurants, and travel with insightful Wine Guides and experienced Tour Managers. Enjoy the trip of a lifetime - just the way you want it to be.

ANY QUESTIONS? GET IN TOUCH We are happy to help however we can - so give us a call...

The Arblaster & Clarke office is staffed by a team of passionate and knowledgeable, well-travelled oenophiles and travel professionals...

When you call Arblaster & Clarke, you will get straight through to a ‘real’ person. Laura-Marie Taylor-Stoakes is our Customer Care Manager, and she and the team are on hand to help you organise your perfect wine tour from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. All of our staff are happy to advise on all aspects of our tours.

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For further advice, information and to book, ask our in-house experts: Call: 01730 263111 Email: sales@winetours.co.uk Visit: www.winetours.co.uk

Wine improves with age. Travel improves with wine.

www.winetours.co.uk

“Wine is one of the most civilised things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.� Ernest Hemingway

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Wine Tours

01730 263111 sales@winetours.co.uk www.winetours.co.uk Arblaster & Clarke, Cedar Court, 5 College Street, Petersfield GU31 4AE