AmaWaterways River Cruising Brad Butler

Full Radio Show: Steve Ledson, AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise Host & Head of Lebson Winery, Sonoma: In a rather interesting interview Paul Lasley encounters an AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise host who happens to have a family history going back over 150 years in the Sonoma Valley in Northern California. Steve Ledson, a fifth generation winemaker, tells fantastic stories about his Great Great Grandfather who was making wine in the 1860s and scores of relatives along the way who farmed produce or made in the Valley for generations.

The famous Ledson 16,000 square foot Gothic/Normandy style edifice Castle Hotel is a landmark in the area and Steve Ledson has refurbished a number of old buildings in Santa Rose, such as the art deco Rosenberg department store building that houses a Barnes & Noble and Ledson's executive offices.

Ledson hosted an AmaWaterways Luxury Wine River Cruise from Paris to Barcelona on the Rhone River, called Provence & Spain, and enjoyed it so much he is booking another one as wine host with the full intention of filling the whole ship with his followers. On the cruise in November 2014 there were 40 people who were booked by AmaWaterways and most all of them came away from the cruise as fans and consumers of Ledson wines.

About Ledson Family:

Our family winery is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, a short one hour drive north of San Francisco. Ledson Staircase Emerging like a gothic blast from the past out of acres of rolling vineyards and pastoral calm, our 16,000 square foot French Normandy winery is known as "The Castle" around the world. Originally designed as our family home, the contractor and designer in me got carried away and it quickly became clear that the architectural showpiece was much better suited to house our planned winery.

We specialize in small varietal lots that reflect the genuine diversity of our select vineyards and appellations. Ledson wines are sold exclusively at the winery in Kenwood, in our online store, and at the Ledson Hotel in Sonoma.

We have developed a number of different wine club programs, offering members preferred pricing and access to wines not available to the public. With over 70 wines to choose from, there is something for everyone.

Boasting beautifully appointed hand-crafted tasting bars, impeccable grounds with picnic areas shadowed by 100-year old majestic oak trees, a fully stocked gourmet market as well as a tasteful clothing and gift boutique--the Ledson Winery is the breathtaking backdrop for an afternoon picnic or a weekend getaway.

Steve Ledson's AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise Paris to Normandy, Great Food, Wine, Tours & More: In the segment of interview of Steve Ledson, head of Ledson Winery in Sonoma Valley, with Paul Lasley the subject turns to the AmaWaterways Luxury Wine River Cruise that he hosted as a wine expert/vintner from Paris to Barcelona on the Rhone River.

Steve Ledson had never been on a river cruise and he loved being able to spend time in the towns and cities to soak up the culture. On big ships that is not possible and Steve was also amazed how the crew was able to remember all the passengers names. Because he was not really sure about river cruising, he didn't fill the boat but AmaWaterays was able to do so and those passengers ended up being fans and consumers of Ledson wines.

A French Sommelier was on-board ship proved a big hit and he told Steve, "I normally don't like American wines, but your wines are phenomenal."

Steve Ledson said he was overall pleased with the cruise and is in the process of setting up another AmaWaterways Wine Cruise to host and probably to the region of France because of the many friends he has in the wine business.

About Ledson Family:

Our family winery is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, a short one hour drive north of San Francisco. Ledson Staircase Emerging like a gothic blast from the past out of acres of rolling vineyards and pastoral calm, our 16,000 square foot French Normandy winery is known as "The Castle" around the world. Originally designed as our family home, the contractor and designer in me got carried away and it quickly became clear that the architectural showpiece was much better suited to house our planned winery.

We specialize in small varietal lots that reflect the genuine diversity of our select vineyards and appellations. Ledson wines are sold exclusively at the winery in Kenwood, in our online store, and at the Ledson Hotel in Sonoma.

We have developed a number of different wine club programs, offering members preferred pricing and access to wines not available to the public. With over 70 wines to choose from, there is something for everyone.

Boasting beautifully appointed hand-crafted tasting bars, impeccable grounds with picnic areas shadowed by 100-year old majestic oak trees, a fully stocked gourmet market as well as a tasteful clothing and gift boutique--the Ledson Winery is the breathtaking backdrop for an afternoon picnic or a weekend getaway.

Sonoma County Winemaking, Natural, Historic, Great Destination says Steve Ledson of Ledson Winery: In the second segment of the Steve Ledson interview Paul Lasley tells him the he "epitomizes what Sonoma County is all about, working the soil growing grapes, making wine, growing produce, creating a hospitable environment with quality products.

Ledson replied that he feels blessed, having travel around the world, to live in Sonoma county and he is amazed the range of wines and the amazingly friendly people who populate area. He believes they have more time for visitors compared to other regions and that makes the Sonoma Valley unique. Lasley comments that Sonoma needs to be better known, then he takes that back and says, "No, we need to keep Sonoma as it is and not have it get too popular. It is too good to lose to something like that."

Steve Ledson has a collection of over 3,500 photos from his family history and contributes to preservation of historic buildings and building new structures in the old style to match. His involvement in Sonoma Valley comes from a commitment based not only on family but an appreciation for the lifestyle he has been able to forge through hard work and opportunity. The world famous Castle Hotel at Ledson Winery was slated to be his house, but the public loved it so much he had to forgo that luxury.

About Ledson Family:

Our family winery is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, a short one hour drive north of San Francisco. Ledson Staircase Emerging like a gothic blast from the past out of acres of rolling vineyards and pastoral calm, our 16,000 square foot French Normandy winery is known as "The Castle" around the world. Originally designed as our family home, the contractor and designer in me got carried away and it quickly became clear that the architectural showpiece was much better suited to house our planned winery.

We specialize in small varietal lots that reflect the genuine diversity of our select vineyards and appellations. Ledson wines are sold exclusively at the winery in Kenwood, in our online store, and at the Ledson Hotel in Sonoma.

We have developed a number of different wine club programs, offering members preferred pricing and access to wines not available to the public. With over 70 wines to choose from, there is something for everyone.

Boasting beautifully appointed hand-crafted tasting bars, impeccable grounds with picnic areas shadowed by 100-year old majestic oak trees, a fully stocked gourmet market as well as a tasteful clothing and gift boutique--the Ledson Winery is the breathtaking backdrop for an afternoon picnic or a weekend getaway.

Steve Ledson on History of Ledson Winery in Sonoma, Wines, Fantastic Facilities, Exciting New Stuff: In the first segment of his interview with Steve Ledson, On Travel Radio Show host learns that Ledson's Great Great Grandfather was making 8,000 gallons of wine in the 1860s in the Sonoma Valley and the operation have been passed all the way down to him. Many of his relatives over the decades worked for other vineyards planting their grapes. Ledson, who hosted an AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise in Provence and Spain, goes into all the various ways his family has been involved in farming, grape production and wine making for the last 150 years, really an amazing story.

Their hotel is famous in Sonoma, called the Castle because it looks like something from France, and the Ledson wines are famous. Steve Ledson talked about their terrific Cabernet production and how they have opened a new tasting room in town with a newly hired gourmet chef coming over from Hawaii.

About Ledson Family:

Our family winery is located in the heart of Sonoma Valley, a short one hour drive north of San Francisco. Ledson Staircase Emerging like a gothic blast from the past out of acres of rolling vineyards and pastoral calm, our 16,000 square foot French Normandy winery is known as "The Castle" around the world. Originally designed as our family home, the contractor and designer in me got carried away and it quickly became clear that the architectural showpiece was much better suited to house our planned winery.

We specialize in small varietal lots that reflect the genuine diversity of our select vineyards and appellations. Ledson wines are sold exclusively at the winery in Kenwood, in our online store, and at the Ledson Hotel in Sonoma.

We have developed a number of different wine club programs, offering members preferred pricing and access to wines not available to the public. With over 70 wines to choose from, there is something for everyone.

Boasting beautifully appointed hand-crafted tasting bars, impeccable grounds with picnic areas shadowed by 100-year old majestic oak trees, a fully stocked gourmet market as well as a tasteful clothing and gift boutique--the Ledson Winery is the breathtaking backdrop for an afternoon picnic or a weekend getaway.

Full Radio Show, Peter Marks, Master of Wine, on Wines & Hosting AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise: This is the full radio show of Peter Marks being interviewed by Paul Lasley, co-host of the On Travel Radio Show, about the wine industry, being a Master of Wine, becoming a Master of Wine and hosting an AmaWaterways Luxury Wine River Cruise as a Master of Wine. Paul Lasley was duly impressed by upon learning that his guest was a Master of Wine and wanted to know about the regimen Peter Marks had to go through to achieve such a lofty title in the wine world.

Marks talks about that and the fantastic time he has educating people about wine during the AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise, from Paris to Normandy on the Seine River, and in general. He told Paul that becoming a Master of Wine was a humbling experience and he never forgets that when standing in front of an audience. He says to himself, "Don't get arrogant, we all had to start somewhere."

Peter Marks said that his AmaWaterways Wine River Cruise was one of the best vacations he had ever had and his wife, who is a chef, was in complete agreement. AmaWaterways knows how to create a fantastic atmosphere and had terrific wines on board and great wine related activities for their clients. Chef on board created fantastic dishes for their wine tastings and the staff attending to their every need. Clearly it is the best river cruise line in the travel industry.

About Peter Marks, Master of Wine:

Peter Marks is one of only 24 Masters of Wine residing in the U.S. In 1995, he passed the rigorous MW exam and became the first American to garner the Madame Bollinger Foundation Award which is bestowed to the MW candidate with the highest tasting score. Peter graduated from UC Davis in 1976 with a BS degree with highest honors in Food Service Management and became interested in wine while attending a number of viticulture and enology classes.

Since entering the wine trade in 1981, he has held the positions of Director of Wine at the upscale Draeger’s Supermarkets in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chief Wine Merchant at the on-line wine retailer Wine.com, and Senior Vice President of Wine at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts. Peter is also a member of the Society of Wine Educators; Education Coordinator for the Institute of Masters of Wine tasting exam in the US; is on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Wine Library and judges many international wine competitions.

Peter Marks on Becoming Master of Wine, Grueling Written Exams & Blind Tastings, Only 32 in North America: In a fascinating segment of the On Travel Radio Show, co-hosted by Paul Lasley, it is revealed by the guest that he is a Master of Wine which brings a sense of deep recognition from the host. Paul Lasley says that this title is a "recognition of true genius" and he wants to know about the regimen to obtain such a lofty title.

Marks notes that there are only 32 Masters of Wine in North America and that becoming is a "truly humbling experience." For this reason, when he gives lectures about wine, Peter Marks always thinks about his struggles in the program to remind himself that "we all must start somewhere."

There are various classes during the year, held around the world, and every student is assigned a mentor to perform various assignments. The final exam consists of a three day blind tasting tests that involve white the first day, red the second day and sparkling & desert wines the third day, but they can always throw in a curve ball on the last day. In contrast to Master of Wine and Master Sommelier taste tests, the MW are asked to identify grape variety or region, wine making techniques, describe the quality and asses the maturity, commercial position and more. Marks notes that applying your knowledge to a business environment like is a wine is best served in a glass, in a white tablecloth restaurant, etc.

Then a five-day written exam where, unlike the blind tasting, one can use a computer. After that the Master of Wine candidate writes the equivalent of a dessertation to finally become a Master of Wine, which puts one in rarefied part of the wine business.

For more about AmaWaterways go to www.AmaWaterways.com

About Peter Marks, Master of Wine:

Peter Marks is one of only 24 Masters of Wine residing in the U.S. In 1995, he passed the rigorous MW exam and became the first American to garner the Madame Bollinger Foundation Award which is bestowed to the MW candidate with the highest tasting score. Peter graduated from UC Davis in 1976 with a BS degree with highest honors in Food Service Management and became interested in wine while attending a number of viticulture and enology classes.

Since entering the wine trade in 1981, he has held the positions of Director of Wine at the upscale Draeger’s Supermarkets in the San Francisco Bay Area, Chief Wine Merchant at the on-line wine retailer Wine.com, and Senior Vice President of Wine at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts. Peter is also a member of the Society of Wine Educators; Education Coordinator for the Institute of Masters of Wine tasting exam in the US; is on the Board of Directors of the Napa Valley Wine Library and judges many international wine competitions.