call our experts
800-728-2875

business hours
M-F: 8-5 PST

north america: columbia river

Culinary & Wine Discovery

The Culinary & Wine Discovery Cruise is no longer operating. Click to our Columbia River small ship cruises for current trips.

Become modern-day explorers, discovering America's extraordinary and "secret" wine regions in the spectacular setting of the Columbia River Gorge. Sample award-winning wine and cruise through history, witnessing the natural beauty and taste of the Pacific Northwest.

These special wine and culinary cruises include guest speakers, guided transportation at a minimum of five wineries (Dunham Cellars, Northstar Winery, Hedges Family Estate Winery, Terra Blanca Winery and Estate Vineyard, Maryhill Winery plus the Maryhill Museum) a brewery and brandy distillery and cave lunch ashore.

Day 1 - Lewiston, Idaho - Embark

Welcome! You will be met at the airport this afternoon and transferred to the yacht. The Captain and crew greet you with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Relax on deck and enjoy a sunset dinner cruise.

Accommodations: Safari Quest
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - Hells Canyon by Jet Boat

After breakfast this morning, transfer to a jet boat for an invigorating ride into Hells Canyon. Vertical cliffs carved by the river now hem in the rushing waters that we travel upon, and watch some of the most dramatic scenery unfold as we jet upriver. Watch for big horn sheep and hawks throughout the day. After our excursion, cruise the Snake River, passing through our first lock and dam called Lower Granite. After dinner our Expedition Leader will provide a brief orientation to the journey.

Accommodations: Safari Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 - Palouse Canyon

Pass through the Little Goose lock and dam first thing this morning then anchor at the mouth of the Palouse River. The kayaks and skiff will be lowered for an up-close exploration of the pristine and lovely Palouse canyon. Watch for hundreds of cliff swallows that nest on the canyon walls, and for Northern harriers and osprey hovering above the still waters as they hunt.

Accommodations: Safari Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Walla Walla Appellation

Travel by executive coach to the Walla Walla appellation. Tour family-owned boutique wineries. Enjoy private tours and tastings of prized reserve and award-winning wines. Visit with winemakers to learn about their handcrafted production and blend your own complex creation under the tutelage of a world-class winemaker.

Accommodations: Safari Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Red Mountain & Yakima Valley Appellations

Enjoy breakfast on board, before another day of exclusive wine tastings in a private setting. Join a winemaker for an exclusive vineyard tour before enjoying a romantic luncheon at a spectacular winery.

Accommodations: Safari Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Maryhill Museum & Winery / Columbia Gorge Appellation

As you cruise the rolling Columbia River, you’ll make your way through the John Day Dam and enjoy a cooking demonstration en route. After lunch you’ll anchor and tour the Maryhill Museum followed by a visit to the Maryhill Winery. The museum’s collections are housed in a castle-like chateau situated on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Our winery visit includes a tasting from a special tasting list. Back on board the yacht you’ll transit The Dalles Dam.

Accommodations: Safari Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Hood River / Bonneville Dam / Columbia River Gorge

We’ll make a morning port call at Hood River, the windsurfing capital of the world, to visit the town. Back on board, join your Expedition Leader on deck as we enter the striking Columbia River Gorge. A designated National Scenic Area, this spectacular canyon cuts the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range. Later we’ll visit the spectacular Multnomah Falls and enjoy a private tour of the Bonneville Dam, the last dam on the river as you head west towards the Pacific Ocean. View the massive turbines that produce enormous amounts of hydropower, and step outside to view the fish ladder.

Accommodations: Safari Quest
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Portland, Oregon - Disembark

Your crew serves another excellent breakfast this morning before bidding you “adieu.” At 9:00 am you’ll be transferred to the Portland airport for connections home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

This itinerary also operates in reverse.

Itinerary Notes: Celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary, birthday or just enjoy your passion for highly-rated fine wines amidst one of the USA's most scenic backgrounds. Relax in the comfort of a luxury yacht without the worries of driving.

Included: Your accommodations aboard the specific vessel, meals, naturalist guided activities, national park entrance fees and transfer from vessel to airport on day of disembarkation.

Exclusions: Airfare to Lewiston and Portland, excess baggage charges, taxes and port fees, gratuities to Naturalist Staff and crew, items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind.

Room Configurations: Please call for single rates. Travelers willing to share accommodations are guaranteed the double rate, even if a share is not found. Single rates available upon request and vary by cabin and trip date.

Arrival & Departure: The Culinary & Wine Discovery cruise begins in Lewiston, Idaho or Portland, Oregon. If arriving on departure day, please arrive no later than 2:30pm; embarkation is at 5:30pm. The Cruise will end in Portland or Lewiston at approximately 9:00am. All outbound flights should be made after 12:00pm.

Payment & Cancellation: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $500 is required at the time of booking. A Reservation Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Cancellations are subject to the following fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
Up to 91 days - 50% of deposit
90 to 31 days - 50% of total trip cost
30 to 0 days - 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance. Please note that you must purchase your travel insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions. Click the link below for a selection of policies from our partners at Travelex.

For additional information and reservations, please contact us:

800-728-2875 | 530-583-1775 | fax 530-583-1711 | travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com