Colors of Provence Rhone River Cruise, April 1- 8, 2027, with Peter Ficklin & Denise England of Ficklin Vineyards

FICKLIN VINEYARDS

Ficklin Vineyards is the renowned U.S. maker of award-winning port from its winery in Madera, California. The family-owned business was founded on Sept. 30,1946 by David Ficklin. The Ficklin family began by planting 15 acres of Portuguese varietal grapes: Souzao, Tinta Cao, Tinta Madeira, Alverelhao and Touriga. Today Ficklin Vineyards is the oldest port winery in America, widely acclaimed as producing America’s finest Port wines created in the Portuguese tradition.

PETER FICKLIN – MASTER WINEMAKER

As Master Winemaker, Peter Ficklin has established Ficklin as a world-renowned brand reflecting premium Port production in the United States. His 1991 Vintage Port was awarded a silver medal in Olympic-style competition against Port wines from around the world.

He has continued the legacy of the Old Vine Tinta Port, the standard of American Ports, as the most awarded Port in the United States — and now winner of an elusive 100-point perfect score in competition. Peter has expanded Ficklin Vineyards Port with a wide range of styles, including the highly awarded Aged 10 Years Tawny Port; critically acclaimed Vintage Ports, including international award winners; and in 2011, the first Rosé Port, receiving Gold in every competition entered.

DENISE ENGLAND – GENERAL MANAGER

As General Manager of Ficklin Vineyards, Denise England is involved with all aspects of the business, from strategic planning to production operations. She is responsible for driving profitable revenue growth through the wine industry’s 3-tier channel system. She brings her diverse international management and marketing experience and her appreciation for excellence as she enthusiastically expands the legacy of Ficklin’s premium award-winning Port wines.

Denise graduated with honors, completing a Bachelor’s in Management/Marketing and a minor in Consumer Psychology from California State University Fresno, as well as attending WISE (Wine Industry Sales Education) Academy in Napa and achieving a certification from Wine Spectator.

A SPECIAL INVITATION

We invite you to join us on a beautiful voyage up the Rhone River Valley. Explore the wine, cuisine, villages and cities of Provence and southeastern France. On board AmaKristina, we will conduct two tastings on board and one paired dinner with both French and California wines and our own award-winning Ficklin Vineyards port wines.

There is an optional and very worthwhile 3-night pre-cruise tour of Barcelona, the bustling capital of Catalonia. After the cruise the party rolls on, with a 3-night post-cruise tour in always-remarkable Paris, the “City of Light”.

This website explains nearly everything about this program. Feel free to share this with any like-minded friends that might enjoy a premium vacation experience like this.

Join us!

Peter Ficklin & Denise England