French Wine Explorers (www.wine-tours-france.com) has a new proprietor; and travelling wine connoisseurs can expect continued excellence from America’s leading wine tour company. While procurement of the company is an expansion of her enterprises, the world of luxury wine tours is anything but novel to new owner, Pascale Bernasse. Since 2000, Bernasse has been an independent travel and tour consultant, specializing in group tours, as well as wine and culinary tours. With a mother and husband who are French, Bernasse has an affinite naturelle for French culture and cuisine. She has lived in Paris, Orleans, the Loire Valley and Montpellier. While in Paris, she worked as a market research consultant for multinational Fortune 500 companies. Upon her return to the States, she was District Director for Berlitz, a global services and language training company, responsible for staffing and day-to-day operations for six language schools and large corporate accounts. And as a professional travel consultant Bernasse holds membership with the American Society of Travel Agents and the Cruise Lines International Association. She has also has enjoyed numerous achievements such as France Destination Specialist from the French Government Tourist Office.
Bernasse says, “I have a passion for visiting a destination one glass at a time! And for sharing the best that France and its esteemed wine regions have to offer. My objective is to bring together luxury and a relaxed attitude by offering a perfect combination of the best accommodations, top restaurants, the most prestigious wineries, and the industry’s best guides, all while still being fun and very user-friendly.”
French Wine Explorers specializes in luxury wine tasting tours of France, and 2008 promises to be its most exciting tour season ever. Tours feature the ultimate luxury hotels and chateaux, Michelin starred restaurants, and France’s most exclusive and prestigious wine estates. The 2008 schedule includes six scheduled departures, plus private and customized wine vacations to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhône Valley, Provence, and the Loire Valley. Wine touring in Tuscany and Piedmont in Italy is also available.
Among the highlights of the 2008 season: Bordeaux Prestige, the ultimate splurge for the Bordeaux connoisseur, including VIP tastings at all five First Growth chateaux (Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, Mouton Rothschild) and the most legendary estates of Pomerol, Sauternes and Saint Emilion; Great Estates of Burgundy, an in-depth exploration of the Côte d’Or’s finest estates; and Alsace Christmas Markets, a pre Christmas get away to the charming wine villages of this beautiful region, with tastings at its best estates, unique shopping opportunities and fabulous gastronomic dining.
Now based in Maryland, French Wine Explorers has been acclaimed by the international travel and wine press, and was named as one of the “World’s Great Wine Tours” by Food & Wine Magazine in 2006. These exclusive wine tasting tours are designed by Bernasse along with sommeliers who take a fun, relaxed approach to wine. Their extensive connections in the wine and travel industries open doors to top wineries, providing tour guests an exclusive insider’s view not available to the average tourist.
The maximum group size of 12 guests keeps the tours intimate and ensures personal attention. All tours include deluxe, air conditioned motor transportation, luxury hotels with private en suite bathroom, gourmet meals with premium wines, all wine tastings, sightseeing, and services of a bilingual wine expert guide throughout. Prices range from US$3,995 to US$5,595 per person, double occupancy, for these land-only packages.
French Wine Explorers also offers private and custom-designed wine tours and wine vacations for guests wishing to choose their own dates and itinerary, accompanied by a wine expert. Corporate programs are also available, as well as special private tours for wine and gourmet clubs and wine and food professionals.