Winemaker diner; Caymus- all princess cruises

[FrankieJayIII]

Caymus Vineyards and Cabernet Sauvignon are synonymous with wine enthusiasts globally as one of the most sought-after wines to pour and share around the table for special celebrations. Now Princess Cruises is working with this renowned winery to offer the exclusive Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner, available on Princess ships sailing North America itineraries by the end of April, including all Alaska voyages, and across all ships worldwide by late May.

Available in the popular Crown Grill specialty restaurant for $140 per person, the new Winemaker Dinner leverages the expansive expertise of Chuck Wagner, owner and winemaker of the renowned Napa Valley'sCaymus Vineyards, to deliver a five-course menu (see below), crafted to complement the tasting notes of his wines.

The dinner, available for 12 guests per seating, will be offered 2-3 times per cruise, based on voyage length, and interested guests can reserve their spot once on board.

"Our new Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner further elevates the Princess culinary experience and wonderfully showcases the elegance of cruising," said Sami Kohen, Princess vice president of food and beverage. "Our passionate culinary team and Chuck have curated what promises to deliver a deliciously memorable and tantalizing experience that will have our guests talking long after the last course and glass of wine are served."

Wagner, along with the Princess culinary team, personally selected the wines paired with the multi-course menu served. In addition to Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, he has perfectly matched up the dinner courses with varietals from the family's other offerings, including Caymus-Suisun 'The Walking Fool' Red Blend, Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Sea Sun Pinot Noir and Emmolo Sparkling.

"We have an appreciation for family, friends, delicious food and great wine, along with the many connections between them," said Chuck Wagner, Caymus Vineyards owner and winemaker. "We love how Princess also recognizes that cruise travel fosters deeper relationships with its guests and the destinations they visit by sharing experiences around the table, and we're thrilled to pour our wines and share our passion through a specially curated dinner with this beloved cruise line."

Caymus is a hands-on family affair which Wagner founded in 1972, alongside his late parents, when he was just 19 years old. After 50 harvests, he continues to make two renowned Cabernet Sauvignons -  Caymus Napa Valley and Caymus Special Selection.

Chuck now works alongside two of his children, Charlie and Jenny, and the family also makes diverse wines from Napa Valley, other parts of California and beyond. Wagner is widely recognized for his winemaking and industry leadership, and all three Wagners continue to experiment with farming and winemaking, continuing the family legacy and commitment to excellence.

In addition to the new dinner, Caymus Vineyards is also working with Princess on a refreshed wine menu, and Caymus Vineyards will be the curator for the cruise line's Crown Grill steakhouse, chops and seafood specialty restaurant, with wine pairing recommendations on the menu. Coming later this year, guests will have the opportunity to visit Caymus Vineyards in Rutherford, Napa Valley, and Caymus-Suisun Winery in Suisun Valley, Calif., on exclusive shore excursions offered on various California-based cruises.

Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner Menu

Openings

Beef carpaccio, celeriac, arugula, shaved parmesan, orange zest, balsamic glaze

or

Marinated Fresh Oyster Mushrooms and Wood Ear Mushrooms green pea granita, roasted hearts of romaine lettuce, smoked citrus dressing

Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, Calif.

First course

Fresh summer black truffle risotto, Parmigiano Reggiano aged 36 months

Caymus-Suisun 'The Walking Fool' Red Blend, Suisun Valley, Calif.

Main course

Tournedos Rossini – prime beef tenderloin, blossom artichokes

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calif.

or

Seared King Salmon and Giant Prawn

Peruvian potatoes, baby green zucchini and lemon beurre blanc

Sea Sun Pinot Noir, Calif.

Cheeses

Charcuterie and cheese selection

Paired with guest's wine of choice from the dinner

Dessert

Chocolate Rasberry Dream - intense dark chocolate mousse, chocolate raspberry cream, raspberry compote, chocolate sacher, Dark Chocolate Cornflake Crisp

Emmolo Sparkling Wine, Calif. 

Princess first introduced its popular Winemaker's Dinner in a private space inspired by a wine cellar in the dining rooms onboard Royal Princess in 2013.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises 

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc ((NYSE/LSE:CCL, NYSE:CUK). 

[voljeep]

$140 pp - No thanks - I'll just go to a local wine tasting at our Ruth Chris

 

Hope you and others that partake enjoy it.

[PacnGoNow]

7 minutes ago, voljeep said:

$140 pp - No thanks - I'll just go to a local wine tasting at our Ruth Chris

 

Hope you and others that partake enjoy it.

IDK… what happened to the $40 per person winemakers dinner?

It is held on Royal class ships in the wine cellar area MDR.  Just did it on the Enchanted.  Very good.  It was Silverado vineyards Napa.

 

Am I missing something?  Is this in addition to the winemaker’s dinner in the MDR wine cellar?  Or, is it being replaced?

[Crystabel]

No thanks. A little rich for my blood. 

[PacnGoNow]

I wonder how much the 360 experience will cost, if this is $140 pp for the winemakers dinner?

[XBGuy]

I would probably try it, if, for no other reason, to do something a little different one evening.  The menu does look attractive.

 

I would like to thank @FrankieJayIII for posting this and bringing it to our attention.  I found the announcement at

 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/princess-cruises-announces-new-winemaker-dinner-with-caymus-vineyards-301788591.html

 

I took some screen shots of the menu and am attaching them, here.  I was hoping that I think this makes the menu a tad more readable.

 

[ssawjo]

Used to be $40/pp.  All the wine you could drink also.

[Lady Arwen]

Hmmmmm…….no

[Crystabel]

Reminds me of the Chef’s Table with less food. 

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, FrankieJayIII said:

Available in the popular Crown Grill specialty restaurant for $140 per person

OWWWCH!!!  The former WMD cost was $40/pp - and admittedly it was a veritable "steal-of-a-deal".  However, this new pricing places it over top of the Chef's Table Lumiere experience (unless that is raised now to the same price).  I believe we have had our last WMD as my wife just isn't into the wine that much and I think it too much of a single splurge.  It is extra costly for those on a package as not getting any discount on the wine cost.

 

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, PacnGoNow said:

IDK… what happened to the $40 per person winemakers dinner?

It is held on Royal class ships in the wine cellar area MDR.  Just did it on the Enchanted.  Very good.  It was Silverado vineyards Napa.

 

Am I missing something?  Is this in addition to the winemaker’s dinner in the MDR wine cellar?  Or, is it being replaced?

Same thing as happened to the coffee package, and $29 SD cover charges.  They walked the plank into the ocean deep. 

 

I see where they mention CG as location, but I don't see why they wouldn't maintain the same location on Royal Class ships and just use CG for the other ships (which never had the WMD, other than perhaps a special event on a longer voyage).

 

[cristine]

Big price jump from September.

I’ll PASS

[taxmantoo]

Oher than the Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, these are very ordinary low to medium-priced wines. This is certainly not an improvement on the current winemaker's diners offered on Royal class ships but this new version is much more expensive. Even more expensive than the Chef's Table. I imagine that one will also increase in price very soon.

[trvlwrld]

A definite hard pass!

[XBGuy]

1 hour ago, taxmantoo said:

Oher than the Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, these are very ordinary low to medium-priced wines. This is certainly not an improvement on the current winemaker's diners offered on Royal class ships but this new version is much more expensive. Even more expensive than the Chef's Table. I imagine that one will also increase in price very soon.

 

Yes, while I indicated that I would be willing to pony up the tariff for this event, I have to agree that the wines are quite pedestrian although the sparkler gets a little bit of love over on CellarTracker.

 

I still really like the menu.  I wonder if they would let me bring my own wines.  Not gonna happen.  I don't have anything near that level of chutzpah.

[ssawjo]

2 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

Hmmmmm…….no

When we cruised on the new Royal, which was several years ago, it was $40/pp.  We have not been on a cruise since that had a Winemakers dinner.  

[ssawjo]

2 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

Hmmmmm…….no

Sorry, I may have mistaken your "No" as a comment to my post, #7. But what I said is true.  The new WMD is too much in my opinion.

[FrankieJayIII]

They are basically valuing the wine at $18/pour

 

CG- $39

Filet upcharge- $10

5 glasses of wine $15 with tip $18

 

$140.00 

[Lady Arwen]

28 minutes ago, ssawjo said:

Sorry, I may have mistaken your "No" as a comment to my post, #7. But what I said is true.  The new WMD is too much in my opinion.

I totally agree with you!  My comment meant to say that “No” I would not be interested at that price.  Sorry for the confusion!

[JimmyVWine]

1 hour ago, FrankieJayIII said:

They are basically valuing the wine at $18/pour

 

 

You skipped a pour.  There are 5 wines, but for the charcuterie and cheese course, you get to select one of the previous wines to have a second time.  So it is $15 per pour.  Nevertheless, here is what you get:

 

Mer Soleil Chardonnay-Readily available for $15-$18 per bottle.  (I am using retail prices.  Princess pays no more than 70% of these prices buying wholesale, in bulk.)  For a multi-course dinner they are most definitely going to pour slightly smaller glasses of wine per course, so assume 6 glasses per bottle.  $3 per pour. (rounding up).

 

Walking Fool is $28-$33 per bottle.  $5 per pour

 

Caymus Napa Cabernet, around $70 per bottle.  $12 per pour

 

Sea Sun Pinot Noir is around $16 per bottle, and honestly, I wouldn't drink it for free.  $3 per pour.

 

Wine of Choice-You'd be foolish not to select the cab.  $12 per pour.

 

Emmolo Sparkling wine $30 (probably poured out into 8 glasses).  $4 per pour.

 

So you are being charged $91 for the wine which has a retail value of less than $40 (assuming that you double up on the Cabernet) and honestly, the only wines worth drinking are the Chardonnay and Cabernet.  Better to go to Vines and get $50 worth of those wines and take them in to the Crown Grill yourself. 

$39 fee

$10 filet upcharge

$50 wine

----------------

$99 

Edited April 3, 2023 by JimmyVWine

[Micahs Grandad]

We had some great dinners on Royal class ships at $ 40 or perhaps a bit less in the past but way more than we would care to spend on dinner.

[GonzoWCS]

1 hour ago, Micahs Grandad said:

We had some great dinners on Royal class ships at $ 40 or perhaps a bit less in the past but way more than we would care to spend on dinner.

Absolutely!

 

Cheers 

[c-boy]

I'm not afraid to spend extra for two ply, so..... 👍 this news sounds great to me. 

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, FrankieJayIII said:

Filet upcharge- $10

 

3 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

$10 filet upcharge

Since when is this?  The menu on Princess.com indicates the new $39 cover, but the $10 upcharge is for Surf & Turf, or for an extra main protein.

[FrankieJayIII]

you're probably right now that i'm looking again. i remember where i saw it now!  sabatinis!  sorry about that