A world of experiences awaits wine-loving travelers

Themed travel opportunities just keep growing. There are photography tours, birdwatching excursions, yoga retreats and, happily for wine lovers, all manner of wine-themed adventures available with prices ranging from downright modest to the sky's the limit.

Most wineries offer tours and tastings so it's possible to plan your own informal tour, plotting out the various wineries in a particular region. Or choose an immersion tour where the details are taken care of and all you have to do is sit back and savor.

Bill and Dot Hagman of Naples highly recommend an experience of the latter kind. The couple participated in Bordeaux Harvest Tour 2008, offered through The Bordeaux Wine Experience, in which they tasted more than 65 wines and toured five premier cru chateaux in five days.

"This tour is perfect for both expert and novice wine lovers," says Mr. Hagman, whose wife shares his passion for wine but not his depth of knowledge. "I think my wife got as much out of it as I did."

The Bordeaux Wine Experience is owned and operated by Ronald and Margaret Rens, who offer more than simple winery tours.

PHOTO COURTESY JERRY GREENFIELD Jerry Greenfield with Sara and Sparky Marquis of Mollydooker Wines at The Wine Experience. "Be our guests at our 18th-century Chateau Coulon Laurensac," says Mr. Rens. "It just doesn't get more personal than that."

Mr. Hagman says he really got a feel for the Bordeaux district in a way that he wouldn't have touring on his own.

"We met the owner, grower or harvest chair from these great estates," he says. "We went to the best-known chateaux and vineyards in Bordeaux. We were guests at some fabulous parties. Our hosts knew everyone in the business."

At about $4,100 per person, a trip like that may be beyond the means of many, but there are some more economical, and convenient, options as well.

The Wine Spectator offers two annual extravaganzas, The Wine Experience, which is a three-day event, and The Grand Tour, a one-day tasting.

Fort Myers wine lover Jerry Greenfield and his wife, Deb, have made multiple treks to New York for The Wine Experience, which begins with a day-long tasting featuring 250 wineries, all contained in two grand ballrooms.

"You can go to where they make the wines you like, or you can go to The Wine Experience where they bring it all to you," says Mr. Greenfield.

There's more to it than simply tasting wines.

"You meet the people who make the wines," Greenfield says, including those who produce acclaimed names such as Harlan, Seghesio and Screaming Eagle. "If their name is on the label, they are usually behind the tasting table."

On the second day, there are themed tastings that might include a collection of pinot noirs, or vertical tastings of Chateau D'Yquem, or four reds and four whites from a specific producer.

"You get to try wines you would not ordinarily try, or even see in the marketplace," says Mr. Greenfield.

Besides the exceptional wines and learning experience "you meet lots of wonderful people and make good relationships with the winemakers," he says.

That comes in handy when participants decide to visit a specific wine region in which there are winemakers they've met at The Wine Experience.

"They know you are a serious wine drinker if you met them at the Wine Spectator event," Mr. Greenfield says, "so you have the advantage of their special hospitality."

The Wine Experience costs $1,750 per person, not including travel or lodging.

The Grand Tour is a smaller-scale event that travels to several cities, featuring 200-plus of the world's finest wineries in one location. (This year's events are May 9, Atlantic City; May 13, Chicago: and May 16, Las Vegas.) All wines tasted are top-scoring selections from Wine Spectator, and participants have the chance to meet winery owners or winemakers. It costs $200 per person, not including travel and lodging.

Day trips like the Napa Wine Tour offered by Wine Country Tour Shuttle are fun and economical. For $95, participants board a shuttle at the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge and tour of Napa Valley, which includes stops at four wineries and a picnic lunch. Tasting fees from $7 to $15 are extra and include a winery or vineyard tour. The tour guide provides a "wine 101" introduction of the valley.

There are also custom tours available at hourly rates. Quality Wine Tours in New York provides trips to the Finger Lakes region, with participants selecting the wineries they want to visit. The company's six hour rates vary from $295 for a two-passenger sedan with a driverguide to $570 for a super stretch limo accommodating up to 12 guests.

Just as the price and character of wines cover a vast range, so do the wine-related opportunities available to travelers. Whatever your travel budget, there's a trip to match.

Wine picks of the week

>>Alamos Malbec Mendoza Selección 2007: This Argentinean red has a fresh lasting flavor of blackberries and spices. About $17. >>St.-Urbans-Hof Riesling QbA Mosel-Saar- Ruwer 2007: Beautiful light and fruity Mosel wine with peach and apricot flavors, finishing with a touch of mineral. About $17.