Unleash the Epicurean Adventure of a Lifetime - Embark on a Wine & Culinary Journey Like No Other! Join Jamie and Marcus Guiliano, renowned restaurateurs, as they take you on a VIP tour of the hidden gems of Apulia and Basilicata, Italy. Explore the region like an industry insider, discovering small, family-owned wineries and taste the best of Italian wine and cuisine. Get ready to experience the true essence of Italy's wine and culinary heritage and indulge in an adventure that will leave you with unforgettable memories. So, get your passport ready and join us on this extraordinary journey to the heart of Italy's wine country!
Day 1: Arrive in Bari and meet up at the airport. First stop: Cantine Pandora for a tour and tasting. Next, head to the historic city of Lecce for a night of exploring and delicious dining.

Day 2: Explore Lecce, visit Tenute Rubino for a tour, tasting, and lunch. Stop at Cantele Winery for a tour and tasting, then enjoy another delicious dinner in Lecce.

Day 3: Visit two wineries and a vinegar producer for a unique experience. First stop: Agricole Vallone Winery, followed by Gianni Calogiuri Vincotto. End the day with a tour and tasting at Schola Sarmenti and a fantastic dinner.

Day 4: Discover the land of Primitivo in Manduria. Visit award-winning Gianfranco Fino Winery and then the cooperative  Produttori di Manduria for a local cuisine lunch.

Day 5: Explore Matera, Italy's oldest city, and visit Masseria Trullo di Pezza for a wine tasting experience and Lucano Distillery for a tour. Check into the luxurious St Angelo Hotel and enjoy a pizza dinner in Matera.

Day 6: Visit Villa Schinosa & Bisceglia wineries for a unique blend of family history, winemaking, and modern facilities. Enjoy the flavors of the Aristocratic Capece Minutulo family of Naples at Villa Schinosa and the Basilicata "Wine Town" Bisceglia Estate.

Day 7: Explore the historic city of Matera and taste powerful Aglianico wines at Cantina di Venosa & Grifalco wineries. End the day with a delicious dinner.

Day 8: Enjoy a fun-filled day of wine, food, and adventure. Meet with friend Beniamino at Botromagno for a tour and tasting. Visit Alberobello and the Museo del Territorio Casa Pezzolla. End the trip with a delicious dinner and relaxation.
Book your spot on this unforgettable experience of Italy's rich history, culture, and cuisine today!

Day 1

On Saturday, November 4th, you will arrive to the stunning city of Bari. Upon arrival, the tour officially commences at 12 noon. If you'd like to arrive the night before, we can suggest a few beautiful hotels to make your stay comfortable.

At noon, a bus will be waiting to take us to our first winery, Cantine Pandora, situated just north of the city of Brindisi. Here, we'll be welcomed by our friend Lucia and take a tour followed by a tasting and a bite of delicious food.
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We then make our way south to the enchanting city of Lecce, also known as the 'Florence of the South'. Here, we'll check in to the Risorgimento Resort, a boutique hotel located across from the Colosseum. Relax and explore the local cathedrals, historical sites, shops, and more before heading out for dinner.

Day 2

On Sunday, November 5, ready yourself for an exciting day of exploration in the historic city of Lecce! Start your morning with a delicious breakfast from the hotel, before taking a leisurely walk down the tiny side streets that meander through this captivating city.

Next, you'll be whisked away to Tenute Rubino for a tour and tasting, followed by a hearty Italian lunch. Don't be fooled by the concept of an Italian light lunch— in Italy, a meal is meant to be savored and enjoyed!

Afterward, venture to Cantele Winery for a tour and tasting from Paolo. Cantele Winery and its tasting laboratory, iSensi, are stunningly situated among vineyards and olive groves, and offer guests a unique opportunity to discover the region's culinary delights and cultural treasures.

Then it's back to Lecce to relax before dinner. Keep in mind, Italians are known to dine late, so restaurants typically open at 7:30. Get ready for a delectable evening of fine wine and exquisite cuisine!

Day 3

Monday, November 6th is an exciting day of exploration! We'll start off by visiting Agricole Vallone, a winery that is sure to delight your senses.


Our second stop is Gianni Calogiuri Vincotto— a unique version of balsamic vinegar that may just be even better than the classic! Here, you'll be able to witness the traditional process of creating high-quality vinegar from grapes, including a tour of the oak aging rooms and the production fermentation.


Next, we'll visit Schola Sarmenti, where Lorenzo will provide a tour and tasting of his vineyard. Inside a breathtaking 200-year-old building, with stunning arches and architecture, you'll find some of the best wines in the region.
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The day concludes with an unforgettable dinner in this area. Afterward, we'll take a short journey back to our hotel for the evening.

Day 4

Tuesday, November 7, we embark on an exciting journey to the land of Primitivo in Manduria. Our first stop is Gianfranco Fino, a renowned winery that produces award-winning wines that have consistently outscored some of the expensive super Tuscan wines.


We then visit Anna at Produttori di Manduria, a century-old cooperative that has brought the community together for a viable economy. Upon arrival, we toured their basement museum, constructed through the old concrete edging vats for the winery, and tasting some of their exceptional wines. Afterward, we will have a delightful lunch with Anna and experience the local cuisine with more of their exquisite wines.

Day 5

Wednesday, November 8  Pack your bags and get ready to depart from Lecce and journey to the famous city of Matera. Nestled in Basilicata, Matera is known to be Italy's oldest city, dating back 9000 years. It is time to sample some of the local wines and the first stop was Masseria Trullo di Pezza, where we will taste wine on the rooftop overlooking the vineyard and fermentation tanks. We then will stop by Lucano Distillery, a 200-year-old producer of Amaro and triple sec, and take in the classic distillation methods.


Finally, we arrive in Matera and will check into the St Angelo hotel. This 5-star hotel is known for their renovated cave-style rooms, offering high-end luxury to their guests. After settling in, we will venture out to enjoy some delicious pizza.

Day 6

Thursday, November 9, we will begin our day in Matera, a stunning city nestled in the state park of Basilicata. As we look out our hotel, we could spot wild boars roaming around the majestic trails. We will then set off northwards, to the wineries of Villa Schinosa and Bisceglia.


Villa Schinosa is located outside the picturesque coastal town of Trani. Owned by the Capece Minutulo family of Naples, the winery showcases their deep love of winemaking. On the other hand, Bisceglia estate is set on the lower slopes of the extinct volcano, Mount Vulture, in the exquisite district of Lavello. Recognized as “Wine Town”, this old farming community is home to state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, spectacular aging cellars and the work of world-renowned architects Hikaru Mori and Domenico Santomauro.


We will enjoy a day of tasting tours and savoring the superb local cuisines of Basilicata. Our exploration of Southern Italy continues to captivate us with its sheer beauty and delicious wines, and we look forward to uncovering even more of this region's secrets.

Day 7

Friday, November 10, Begin your day exploring the magnificent city of Matera before we head off to the famous volcano region of Basilicata. Here, we discovered two magnificent vineyards – Cantina di Venosa and Grifalco wineries – and have the opportunity to savor the earthy, full-bodied and tannic Aglianico wines of the region.

Today's wine journey begins in the historic city of Potenza and visit to the renowned Cantina Sociale di Venosa. This winery was originally established by 27 producers and has since grown to include over 400 members who produce outstanding Aglianico del Vulture wines and a diverse selection of Basilicata's signature wines.
Nestled in the city of Venosa, birthplace of the famous Latin poet Horace, surrounded by the grand Monte Vulture mountain range, the vineyard is located in the province of Potenza in northern Basilicata. The volcanic nature of the area's soil and subsoil is abundant in minerals, creating the perfect conditions for wine production.
The Aglianico del Vulture is the winery's flagship wine, with its DOC recognition dating back to 1971. Its unique body and flavor, distinct from other Aglianico wines, are attributed to the volcanic soils of the Vulture region. Taste the history and terroir of the area through the exceptional wines at Cantina Sociale di Venosa.


Our last night in Matera we will enjoy a delicious meal together and explore the city one last time!

Day 8

Saturday November 11, We will check out of our beautiful caves and begin another memorable day on our trip. We will visit  Botromagno, where our friend Beniamino will give us a tour and tasting, and more delicious local cuisine.
After the tour and tasting at Botromagno, we will visit Alberobello, a town in Italy’s Apulia region, famous for its trulli – whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. We will explore the Rione Monti district, home to hundreds of trulli, and the 18th-century Trullo Sovrano, a two-level trulli. Afterward, we will stop by the Museo del Territorio Casa Pezzolla, complete with furniture and tools that served to recreate life in the trulli centuries ago.
We will check into our hotel along the coast for our final night. 

​End your journey on a high note with a stay at the breathtaking Oriente Hotel Bari! Nestled in the heart of Bari, right beside the grand Petruzzelli Theater, this hotel is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate.
Indulge in the comfort of your private room, complete with a shower and a plush bathrobe, and unwind after a day of adventure. And speaking of adventure, you're in for a treat with the stunning panoramic views of Bari from the rooftop terrace, coupled with the convenience of a hotel bar serving snacks and drinks.
Embrace the rich history and culture of Bari with a leisurely 5-minute walk to the historic center and the picturesque seafront promenade. And if you need to catch a train, the Central Station is just a short stroll away at 2,450 feet. Book your stay at Oriente Hotel Bari and revel in luxury and comfort on the water in the heart of Bari!

Finally, we will enjoy a delightful dinner close to our hotel before settling in for a relaxed evening of reflection and reminiscing about the past 8 days we had together.  We will share wine with our new friends and wind down before we depart for the airport on Sunday morning!

Day 9

Transit to Bari airport

Hotels

Masseria Cervarolo
Masseria Cervarolo is a farm with trulli, raised in the sixteenth century, on a hill of 250 meters. overlooking a vast and fertile plain 6 km from Ostuni.
Like many Apulian farms, the buildings were born and changed over the centuries according to the cultivation and production practices. The toponym 'Cervarolo ”originates from the presence of deer on the last offshoots of the Murgia when they were covered by dense wooded areas.

Attached to the farm, dedicated to the Virgin of Sorrows (1798), there is a small church with a splendid polychromatic Baroque altar and numerous frescoes. The church was a very important place of worship and this is testified by the discovery of numerous ex voto. Legends are linked to Masseria Cervarolo which have made it a place of pilgrimage for those who are in search of serenity. It is also said that, in the area of ​​the farm, spring arrives a few weeks early and that the surrounding farmers regulate agricultural activities by virtue of this "phenomenon".
Vinilia Wine Resort
Vinilia Wine Resort was born by the wise and careful renovation of an ancient mansion dating back to the early '900, built on behalf of the aristocratic family Schiavone of Manduria, with origins between Rome and Manduria. The Roman designer of that building was inspired, in construction, to a neo-eclectic style typical of the Roman school of that period. The structure is, in fact, like an old manor house with tower and turrets, battlements, loopholes and decorations of monumental proportions and a main body that resembles a small medieval castle. In historical maps the building is always identified as "Casina Ciracì" although we don't know the origins of the name.

The building was then supported by secondary structures, typically rural, with stables functions, deposits and outbuildings. An Italian garden adorned the rear part the manor on which overlooked the large terrace, to the south of the building. The presence of two large cisterns to collect rainwater, located in the vicinity of the main building is of great importance.

The property was later purchased by Lacaita / Parisi Family and was completely restored, saving it from a serious degradation to which it had been abandoned.

Of particular interest it is the internal staircase over 3 floors, built with rampant masonry vaults resting on small vaults. The project of restoration and recovery, has been preserved as much as possible the original wall structure, eliminating the various accretions, built over decades and bringing new life to the building.
Sant'Angelo Luxury Resort
Located inside the Matera Sassi UNESCO site, the hotel’s unique location and original structure, typically laid out in rows, provides panoramic views of characteristic city streets and courtyards.

Hotel Sant'Angelo is made up of 21 historic dwellings, each one different in style with an interior design that blends the original structure with modern furnishings.

Enjoy a unique and relaxing holiday at Hotel Sant’Angelo. Hotel staff are available to assist you with tourist information and suggest new itineraries and dining venues.
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Set into the hillside, Hotel Sant’Angelo is near the beaches of the Ionian Sea and the archaeological sites of Metaponto and Policoro. You can also discover nearby attractions such as WWF Bosco Pantano, Melfi and Venosa Castles and Pollino National Park to name a few.
Risorgimento Resort
Featuring a roof-top restaurant with panoramic views, the Risorgimento Resort is in Lecce’s Baroque historic center. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout the property, large modern rooms, and a relaxing spa.
Rooms are air-conditioned and include a minibar and satellite TV. Each has a marble bathroom with bathrobes and slippers.
The attentive staff provides a continental buffet breakfast. The 3 restaurants offer both Salento flavors and classic Italian cooking. Drinks and snacks are available all day at the Janet Ross Bar.
The health club features a Turkish bath and multisensory shower. Massage and beauty treatments are also available.
Piazza Sant’Oronzo is just 350 feet from Risorgimento Resort - Vestas Hotels & Resorts. The Cathedral is a 5-minute walk away.

Wineries

Botromagno
The winery is located in the town of Gravina in Puglia. The Gravina DOC, which is named after the town, is one of Puglia’s most important appellations.
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​The D’Agostinos have been the only ones to invest in the Gravina DOC, recovering the production of this white wine and rebuilding its reputation as an elegant and versatile wine. Today they are the only producers of the flavorful and refreshing Gravina, which is considered by many to be one of the most exciting whites from Southern Italy.

Cantele

​At the end of World War II, when most of the population of Puglia was moving North to work in the big factories near Torino and Milano, Giovanni Battista Cantele, a wine merchant living in the nothern city of Imola, moved his family to Salento. The final decision was made by his wife Teresa Manara, who, at the time, barely knew anything about the area but fell in love with Puglia at first sight. She would later become the inspiration for a wine that now bears her name. After studying winemaking in Conegliano, Giovanni's son, Augusto Cantele, started the family winery, Cantine Cantele, with his father and his brother Domenico in 1979. Today, Teresa Manara and Giovanni Battista Cantele’s grandchildren run the winery together: Augusto’s children, Gianni and Paolo; and Domenico’s children, Umberto and Luisa. The Cantele winery is located in Guagnano, in the heart of the DOC where Negro Amaro dominates the landscape.

​Consorzio Produttori Vini 

Produttori di Manduria is the oldest active wine cooperative in Puglia: it was first established in 1928 as “Federazione Vini di Manduria” and then converted in to a cooperative in 1932 as “Consorzio Vini e Mosti di Manduria”. Despite being in one of the major wine producing Regions in Italy (Puglia usually ranks 2nd or 3rd in the national ranking in terms of wine produced), Produttori di Manduria is structured and operates like an Alto Adige cooperative, with 400 small growers farming 900 hectares of vineyards: with an average 2.25 hectares per member, each grower is able to carry out most of the vineyard management by hand with an extreme attention to quality. Primitivo represents the major focus of the winery, both in terms of vineyards planted (over 60% of the total) and in terms of tradition: Manduria is considered the birth place of the native Primitivo grape, so much so that in 1974 the Italian Government recognized a specific DOC appellation to the Primitivo made in Manduria. ​

​Agricole Vallone 

Basking in the balmy, Adriatic-cooled microlimate of the Salento peninsula in Puglia, on Italy’s heel, Agricole Vallone is a large, multi-tasking agricultural concern, with 170 hectares of vines interspersed with other crops, mostly olive trees, artichokes and vegetables. It was founded in 1934, but like others at the time, sold grapes to the local co-operative. It was only in the late 1990s that it began bottling its own wines, but it quickly made its name with its flagship wine, Graticciaia, a partially barrel-aged red made largely from negromaro grapes dried on mats (graticci) in the Autumn sunshine. Designated IGT Salento, this is a very special wine with powerful, concentrated flavours that ages beautifully. For more informal drinking, DOC Brindisi Rosso and its rosato equivalent from the Flaminio estate are hugely popular with members.

GiannFranco

Gianfranco Fino's focus has been about quality: no compromises, no short-cuts, and obsessive attention to his vineyards. This attention to detail runs deeply, and Gianfranco works tirelessly to improve his vineyards, his estate, and his wines. He and his wife Simona share a deep and abiding passion for winemaking, which has led them on a fulfilling, lifelong journey—a journey which shows in every bottle of their high-quality, delicious wines. The wines consistently receive 90+ ratings from highly-regarded professionals and critics alike and are always a pleasure to drink. Location of Vineyards Gianfranco Fino’s goal was to find a vineyard with the perfect combination of characteristics: vine maturity, bush cultivation in red soil, good planting density, controlled vigor, and proper clonal selection. The company was born in January 2004, when they purchased a three-acre, 50 year-old vineyard in the Manduria region of Puglia. In 2006, two other small plots were saved from being uprooted and added. Today, the estate covers 37 acres, including a little plot of 40-year old Negroamaro vines near the sea. Winemaking Philosophy Gianfranco Fino allows his grapes to dry on the vines for a bit of time before collecting them to make his wine. This concentrates the sugar and flavors inside the grapes which will result in a more flavorful wine. He hand-harvests all the grapes, taking special care to make sure that each bunch is free of mold and perfectly ripe. In the winery, he believes in using a healthy balance of new and inert oak to give the wines a hint of barrel aging without covering up any of his terroir's expression.

Tenute Rubino

In the late 1980s, Tommaso Rubino converted his grain and vegetable farms to vines for winemaking. He helped pioneer the region’s shift away from bulk production towards an emphasis on quality, while showcasing Puglia’s native grape varietals. With vineyards spanning along Puglia’s eastern coastline around the town of Brindisi, Tommaso Rubino, and his son Luigi have worked for decades to promote Puglia’s indigenous varietals.  It was with Luigi’s instigation that the family decided to start bottling their own wines, and thus in 1999, Tenute Rubino was born.
While he produces several excellent examples of the better-known Primitivo, as well as Negroamaro, Malvasia Bianca, and several blends of local grapes, Luigi will absolutely tell you that for him, Susumaniello is Puglia’s future. As one of the first to produce a wine from 100% Susumaniello, they have the most plantings (10%) of this rare varietal still planted today.   It fell into obscurity because its yields, while plentiful in the vine’s youth (the name derives from a local dialect word for donkey, referring to the plant being “burdened” with so many clusters of grapes) dropped off dramatically as the vine aged. But it is also incredibly distinctive and versatile, offering rich fruity aromas of plum, blackberry and strawberry, balanced by lively spice notes like pepper and vanilla.  It can be made into styles ranging from sparkling rosé to dense barrel-matured red.

Cantine Pandora

When one thinks of Salento, one thinks of the beautiful sea, but also of fine food and the land from which a good wine is produced. Cantine Pandora is the expression of the work, effort and passion for the land and the vineyards where it is produced. an excellent Negroamaro, primitive, malvasia, red wines with a strong and intense flavour and fresh rosés and whites, more and more appreciated. With such dedication, all that remains is to raise the glasses for a toast with the Salento wines of Cantine Pandora.

Lucano Distillery

For over 120 years, Lucano has blazed a trail in the spirits world, becoming one of Italy's and the world's most renowned players. Their secret recipe, held by the legendary Cavaliere Pasquale Vena, is a testament to the company's unwavering passion and authenticity. Founded in 1894, Lucano's legacy of quality, knowledge, tradition, and innovative ideas continues to inspire and excite, fueling their ongoing success.

Attractions

Gianni Calogiuri Vincotto

​Vincotto (Original) by Gianni Calogiuri Vincotto is a velvety liquid made by cooking and reducing the grape must from two distinct grape varietals, malvasia and negroamaro, for a period of fifteen hours. It is then aged for four years in oak barrels, allowing the taste and consistency to develop. While there are some overtones of a fine Balsamic, this elixir must never be confused with Balsamic vinegar. Vincotto has nuances of prunes, spices, and heady grape components and is not as woody as Balsamic. Use Vincotto as a condiment, drizzling sparsely over game, roasted meats, salads, aged cheeses, and certain desserts. This is a natural product without any alcohol, colorants, or preservatives.

Pastificio del Colle

Puglia, the sunny southern region of Italy, offers the ideal place for excellent pasta production. Here, the “Pastificio del Colle”, thanks to the winning combination of tradition and a developed technology, has reached a leading position among the best pasta manufacturers in Italy.

Mr. Vito Nettis, current owner of the “Pastificio del Colle”, is the nephew of Vito Nettis senior, who at the beginning of the 1920s carried out various activities in the food field: ice production, soft wheat mill, oven and pasta. For the “Pastificio del Colle”, the past, the present and the future are a perfect blend to achieve excellence.

Tradition and innovation can fully meet the needs of customers, offering them a wide range of pastes, from traditional bronze-trained formats to new hand-crafted sizes. All our production can be white, flavored and colored with natural essences. Colored pasta has therefore become the true novelty and a popular sign of Pastaficio del Colle’s recognition.

Cities

Lecce
Lecce, a city steeped in history and art, is a true gem of southern Italy's Apulia region. With its stunning baroque architecture, it's no wonder that Lecce is often referred to as the "Florence of the South". The centerpiece of the city is the majestic Piazza del Duomo, where you'll find the Cattedrale di Lecce, a grand cathedral with a double facade and towering bell tower that showcases the city's rich architectural heritage. The Basilica di Santa Croce is another must-visit destination, with its intricate sculptures and breathtaking rose window that are sure to leave you in awe.
For those interested in ancient history, Lecce offers plenty of opportunities to explore its past. The Sant’Oronzo Column, a Roman column topped with a bronze statue of the city's patron saint, is a symbol of the city's rich heritage, while the sunken Roman amphitheater provides a glimpse into the city's lively past. With so much to see and experience, Lecce is a city that truly offers something for everyone.

Matera

​​Matera is a city on a rocky outcrop in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. It includes the Sassi area, a complex of cave dwellings carved into the mountainside. Evacuated in 1952 due to poor living conditions, the Sassi now houses museums like the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, with period furniture and artisan tools. Nearby rock churches include St. Lucia alle Malve, with 13th-century frescoes.

The town of Matera was founded by the Roman Lucius Caecilius Metellus in 251 BC who called it Matheola. In AD 664 Matera was conquered by the Lombards and became part of the Duchy of Benevento. Anne Parmly Toxey writes that "The date of Matera's founding is debated; however, the revered work of the city’s early chroniclers provides numerous, generally accepted accounts of Goth, Longobard, Byzantine, and Saracen sieges of the city beginning in the eighth century and accelerating through the ninth century CE."[8] In the 7th and 8th centuries the nearby grottos were colonised by both Benedictine and Basilian monastic institutions. The 9th and 10th centuries were characterised by the struggle between the Byzantines and the German emperors, including Louis II, who partially destroyed the city. After the settlement of the Normans in Apulia, Matera was ruled by William Iron-Arm from 1043.​

Brindisi

Brindisi is a port city on the Adriatic Sea, in southern Italy’s Apulia region. The red-stone Aragonese Castle stands on a small island at the harbor’s entrance. The tall Monumento al Marinaio d’Italia, a rudder-shaped limestone memorial to sailors, has sea and city views. Across the harbor, the Swabian Castle of Brindisi dates from the 13th century. At the top of Virgil’s Staircase are the Roman Columns.

Alberobello
Alberobello is a town in Italy’s Apulia region. It’s known for its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. The hilltop Rione Monti district has hundreds of them. The 18th-century Trullo Sovrano is a 2-level trulli. Furniture and tools at the Museo del Territorio Casa Pezzolla re-create life in the trulli as it was centuries ago. Southwest of town is the Casa Rossa, a WWII internment camp.
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A first occupation of the area started only in the early sixteenth century on the impulse of the Count of Conversano Andrea Matteo III Acquaviva d'Aragona. He allowed about forty peasant families from Noci to settle here and cultivate the land, with the obligation to give him the tenth of the crops.

Ostuni

Ostuni is a city in Italy’s Apulia region that's known for its whitewashed old town. Ostuni Cathedral combines Gothic, Romanesque and Byzantine elements, while the arched Porta San Demetrio is one of 2 remaining medieval gates. The Civic Museum and Archaeological Park houses Ostuni 1, the skeleton of a woman from Paleolithic times. Northwest of town is the Santuario di Sant’Oronzo complex, with a triumphal arch.

Pricing and details...

This is a small boutique tour with Chef Marcus and Jamie Guiliano.  These trips are between 12 and 18 people. 
This trip is on pre-sale for just four payments of $1,699.00 per person based on double occupancy. 
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Single occupancy is just four payments of $1,899.00.  
This VIP Winery Vacation includes ground transportation, boutique hotels, winery tours & tastings, most meals and coach ground transportation.

Directory of all Hudson Valley Wineries

Great travels soon!

Hours

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Telephone

(845) 647-3000