Romantic Danube River Cruise, May 2-9, 2026, with Michael & Joey Barreto of Oso Libre Winery

Oso Libre Winery
Paso Robles, CA

Michael Barreto got hooked on wine by making his first barrel at home in 1999. After taking courses at CSU Fresno and UC Davis, Michael and his wife Joey moved to California’s central coast. His first winery job was in 2001, where he quickly progressed from a cellar position into the laboratory. In 2003, Michael started at Le Vigne Winery as Assistant Winemaker, the same year he met Chris Behr. Chris was searching for someone to make wine from his first harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon. After tasting the wine, they both realized that it was the start of something special.

Then in 2019, Michael and Joey have partnered with Chris and Linda Behr to create exciting, award-winning wines from the Oso Libre Vineyard in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles. One of Michael’s favorites is Por Vida, a blend of Oso Libre estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo and Mourvedre.

Michael’s strong background in Agricultural Business has helped with all aspects of winemaking. He says “There are many facets to being a winemaker, from walking the vineyard to interacting with customers in the tasting room. Even the hectic sleepless environment of harvest can be joyful. A tremendous feeling results at the end of much hard work and nurturing the vines, concentrated into a wonderful vintage.”

You’re invited! Join Michael & Joey Barreto aboard AmaMora, one of Europe’s grandest river ships. We look forward to sharing with you their prized California wines in two special tasting events and a paired dinner. The wines of Oso Libre will be contrasted with the wines of Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria’s Wachau Valley.

This is a special cruise down the Blue Danube, from Vilshofen Bavaria to Budapest Hungary. There’s also a special 3-night pre-cruise tour of delightful Munich, capital of Germany’s beautiful Bavarian province, including all city sights, a Beer Hall dinner and visit to Mad King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle.