Windstar Cruises Unveils 2011 Signature Collection Host Series

SEATTLE, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most sought-after destinations, announces its 2011 Signature Collection Host Series which offers guests the unique opportunity to cruise and learn from distinguished experts in the fields of culinary arts, wine, photography, gardening and wealth management.

Guests can taste and learn about wines from top winemakers Daniel Baron of Silver Oak Cellars; Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellar and Figgins Family Wine Estates; Tor and Susan Kenward of Tor Kenward Family Wines; Bob Iantosca of Gloria Ferrer and Julia Iantosca of Lasseter Family Winery; and David Gianulias and Todd Rustman of Levendi Winery. Chef Fabio Viviani of Firenze Osteria and fan favorite of "Top Chef" season five will delight food connoisseurs with his culinary arts. Guests will discover the art of photography with celebrity and travel photographer John Russo. Garden designer Anthea Guthrie will share her passion for gardening and design tips. And, Todd Rustman will discuss the principles of wealth management.

Anthea Guthrie – Garden Designer

British garden designer Guthrie, hosts Wind Surf's Barbados to Barbados sailing which departs January 9, 2011, and visits the ports of Bequia, The Grenadines; St. George's, Grenada; Mayreau, The Grenadines; Portsmouth, Dominica; and Pigeon Island, St. Lucia. Guthrie has been awarded 13 Royal Horticultural Society medals, including four gold medals, and two for best creative garden and one for best small garden. Her love of history combined with a passion for gardening, led to the creation of a garden based on the story of Ann Boleyn, a theatre garden at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show for the wife of Charles I, and a Shakespearean garden based on the play "As You Like It" at Hampton Court Palace. Guthrie has also been a guest on the BBC "A Passion for Plants," series and on various radio shows, has been a panelist for Gardeners' Question Time at Hampton Court Palace and is a well-known speaker at various garden clubs. During a lecture, Guthrie will share her extensive gardening experiences and tips. Cruise rates start from $1,379 per person, double occupancy.

Tor and Susan Kenward – Founders of Tor Kenward Family Wines

Tor and Susan Kenward, founders of Tor Kenward Family Wines, host Wind Surf's Barbados to Barbados sailing which departs January 16, 2011, and visits St. Kitts, F.W.I.; St. Martin, F.W.I.; St. Barts, F.W.I.; Iles des Saintes, F.W.I; and Pigeon Island, St. Lucia. Tor Kenward's exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays come from his 30-plus years studying the vineyards of Napa Valley. Susan Kenward has written six cookbooks including one James Beard Award winner and her recipes have also appeared in The Barefoot Contessa cookbooks.  She also developed her own skin care line, Olivina Napa Valley. During the voyage the Kenward's will lecture on wines, conduct a wine tasting and Susan Kenward will give a cooking demonstration. Cruise rates start from $1,485 per person, double occupancy. For more information on Tor Kenward Family Wines and Olivina Napa Valley, visit www.torwines.com and www.olivinanapavalley.com.

John Russo – Celebrity and Travel Photographer

Photographer Russo hosts Wind Surf's Lisbon to Barcelona sailing, departing April 17, 2011, which visits the ports of Tangier, Morocco; Malaga, Spain; Almeria, Spain; Cartagena, Spain; and Ibiza, Spain. Russo, a top celebrity photographer, has photographed Kevin Costner, Eva Longoria, John Travolta, Sophia Loren and many other top celebrities. Russo's work has also been featured on the covers of Vogue, Elle, GQ and Esquire. In addition to photographing celebrities, he has traveled around the world photographing destinations. Russo also teaches classes on celebrity portraiture at the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography. He just released his book "About Face" which is a collection of portraits of today's hottest male actors. During the sailing, he will conduct two lectures focusing on celebrity portraiture and travel photography and provide insight on how to take the best photos possible. Cruise fares start from $2,299 per person, double occupancy. For more information on Russo, visit www.johnrussophoto.com.

Bob Iantosca of Gloria Ferrer and Julia Iantosca of Lasseter Family Winery

Winemakers Bob Iantosca and Julia Iantosca host Wind Surf's Barcelona to Rome sailing departing April 24, 2011. Ports of call include Palma de Mallorca, Spain; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Italy; and Livorno, Italy. Since joining Gloria Ferrer in 1984, winemaker Bob Iantosca has created more award-winning California sparkling wines than any other single winemaker. Julia Iantosca, winemaker for Lasseter Family Winery, has developed outstanding reds and signature blends for the premium winery. Both Bob Iantosca and Julia Iantosca are passionate in creating unique wines and will share their winemaking experiences during lectures and wine tastings. Cruise fares from $2,399 per person, double occupancy. For more information on Gloria Ferrer and Lasseter Family Winery, visit www.gloriaferrer.com and www.lasseterfamilywinery.com.

David Gianulias and Todd Rustman – Founders of Levendi Winery

David Gianulias and Todd Rustman, founders of Levendi Winery, host Wind Surf's Barcelona to Rome sailing departing May 8, 2011, visiting the ports of Palma de Mallorca; St. Tropez, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Italy; and Livorno, Italy. Levendi is a family-owned, boutique winery located in Napa Valley. The Gianulias family has a strong Greek tradition of private winemaking dating back centuries. Since 1926, Levendi has developed ultra-premium vintages. In addition to wine making, Rustman is co-founder of GR Capital Asset Management. David Gianulias and Todd Rustman will discuss their winemaking process during a lecture and conduct wine tastings. Rustman will also do a separate lecture on wealth management. Cruise fares from $2,499 per person, double occupancy. For more information on Levendi Winery and GR Capital Asset Management, visit www.levendiwinery.com and www.gr-cam.com.

Daniel Baron – Winemaker for Silver Oak Cellars

Winemaker Daniel Baron of acclaimed Silver Oak Cellars will host Wind Surf's Athens to Istanbul sailing departing July 16, 2011. Ports of call include Mykonos, Greece; Santorini, Greece; Rhodes, Greece; Bodrum, Turkey; and Kusadasi, Turkey. Baron began his winemaking career in the vineyards of Sonoma County before traveling to France and working for legendary Chateau Petrus – an experience that shaped his approach to making wine. "In the old world, wine was an integral part of daily life, and the pursuit of excellence was the driving force behind every decision made in the vineyard or winery," which is what Baron strives for as a winemaker. In 1982, he returned to Napa Valley and became the winemaker for Silver Oak's celebrated wines. Baron will lecture on the philosophy behind Silver Oak wines and conduct a wine tasting during the sailing. Cruise fares start from $3,499 per person, double occupancy. For more information on Silver Oak Cellars, visit www.silveroak.com.

Fabio Viviani – Owner of Firenze Osteria Italian Restaurant and "Top Chef" Season 5 Fan Favorite

Chef Fabio Viviani hosts Wind Surf's Athens to Rome voyage departing October 22, 2011. The cruise visits Milos, Greece; Monemvassia, Greece; Messina, Italy; Amalfi, Italy; and Ischia, Italy. Fabio is the owner of Firenze Osteria and was the "Top Chef" Season 5 Fan Favorite. Viviani began his culinary career at age 12 and then attended Italy's Instituto Professionale per I Servizi Alberghieri in Florence, focusing on advanced Tuscan and regional cooking as well as a wide variety of specialization courses. He spent months at regional restaurants and aboard to learn the secrets of master chefs and eventually co-owned and managed several high-volume Florentine restaurants. As owner and executive chef of Firenze Osteria, Viviani brings his Tuscan dishes and Florentine flair to Southern California. Viviani is also the official spokesperson for Bertolli Olive Oil and Santa Margherita wines. During the sailing, Viviani will conduct a lecture and cooking demonstration. Cruise fares from $2,599 per person, double occupancy. For more information on Viviani, visit www.firenzeosteria.com.

Chris Figgins – Winemaker for Leonetti Cellar and Figgins Family Wine Estates

Winemaker Chris Figgins hosts Wind Surf's St. Martin to Barbados sailing, departing February 18, 2012, which visits St. Martin, F.W.I.; Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.; lles des Saintes, F.W.I.; Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Bequia, The Grenadines; and Mayreau, The Grenadines. Figgins' parents founded Walla Walla, Washington's acclaimed Leonetti Cellar in 1977. Figgins continues the winery's tradition of producing some the world's most sought-after reds in small, limited productions. He recently launched FIGGINS, an estate-grown, single-vineyard wine, and Lostine Cattle Company, grass-fed beef, to extend the Figgins Family Wine Estates experience. Figgins will lecture on transforming Leonetti into an estate grown winery and is know industry-wide for constantly pushing the envelope viticulturally in his vineyards and for his intense passion for sustainable farming. During a lecture, Figgins will discuss winemaking and conduct a wine tasting. Cruise rates start from $2,549 per person, double occupancy. For more information on Leonetti Cellar and Figgins, visit www.leonetticellar.com and www.figginsfamily.com.

About Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com.

Windstar is a division of Ambassadors International Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC.

SOURCE Windstar Cruises