Madrona Vineyards
Having planted vineyards when I was 6 years old and now being a winemaker, some might assume a classic Hollywood-like progression. However, I am not the poster boy for the wine industry. Having grown up in the family’s vineyards and winery, I couldn’t wait to do something, or anything, different. I graduated from UC Davis in 1989, but my degree is in Macro Economics.
So then, how does one succeed “escaping” the wine industry and then find himself some 28 years later owning vineyards and two wineries? In two words, personal evolution!
My interest in wine is rooted in vine. I love growing grapes and finding the purest expression of our vineyards in the wine. Given the choice, I prefer my office be a tractor and my time spent purely in the field, the place where the true quality of wine comes. I am less a winemaker and more a “wine elaborator.”
Personally, one cannot ask for a more fulfilling quality of life than owning a winery. I get to work every day with my wife Maggie, whose background is finance. She runs the wineries and I make the wines. Add to this that we work with wonderful people, live in a beautiful region, and get to enjoy the fruits of our labors in a glass. We do live the dream. And that in itself has been our personal evolution.
We invite you to join us for this “Bucket List” trip to France. This program combines a 4-night pre-cruise land tour, staying two nights in Chantilly and Champagne, then two nights in Paris. Then board the good ship AmaDante for a 7-night cruise down the Seine River through historic Normandy and returning to Paris. We’ll see the sights of Chantilly, Epernay, Paris, Les Andelys, Le Havre, Honfleur, Omaha Beach, Giverny and Rouen. This is a delightful experience for lovers of fine wine, French cuisine and art history.
On board AmaDante, we will conduct two tastings on board and one paired dinner with the award-winning wines of Madrona Vineyards. This exclusive holiday is dedicated to great food, art, historic places, and fine wines. This website explains nearly everything about this trip.
Feel free to share this with any like-minded friends. Join us!
Paul & Maggie Bush
Owners & Winemakers
Please note: This Paris & Normandy Cruise 2026 (hosted by Madrona Vineyards) wine tasting tour is created by our tour operator, Expanding Horizons of Tustin, CA in conjunction with AmaWaterways. This is the most popular river cruise itinerary in Europe and will sell out. The pre and/or post-cruise tour program may contain private meals, tours and/or visits to attractions. These additional services are exclusive to guests on this cruise who book their reservations with Expanding Horizons. Persons booking with alternative travel agencies will not be included in these activities.