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Classic wine cellar featuring wooden rackingClassic wine cellar featuring wooden rackingClassic wine cellar featuring wooden racking

Spotlight on Wine with
Mercante Wine Merchants

Rome to Venice
July 11, 2027 | 8 nights | Seven Seas Grandeur®

WHERE WINE, SEA & FAMILY LEGACY MEET

Sail the sun-soaked ports of the Italian peninsula and the Adriatic on an extraordinary voyage that brings together the rich traditions of Italian winemaking, the pride of family heritage and the romance of the sea. Hosted by James Mercante — founder of Mercante Wine Merchants, retired U.S. Navy Captain and celebrated maritime attorney — this intimate Spotlight Voyage aboard Seven Seas Grandeur® explores the culture, craft and personal story behind a wine portfolio born from generations of Puglian tradition. From immersive tastings and culinary pairings to storytelling seminars that weave together seafaring history and Italian viticulture, this is a wine journey unlike any other.

Messina, Sicily, ItalyMessina, Sicily, ItalyMessina, Sicily, Italy

AN ALL-ITALIAN JOURNEY FROM ROME TO VENICE

Explore the Mediterranean from Rome to Venice, calling on the Amalfi Coast, Catania, Reggio di Calabria, Dubrovnik, and Rovinj.

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YOUR HOSTS

  • JAMES MERCANTE
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    JAMES MERCANTE
    Founder, Mercante Wine Merchants

    James Mercante is the founder of Mercante Wine Merchants and a distinguished maritime attorney whose career uniquely blends seafaring tradition, family heritage and a passion for exceptional wine. A retired U.S. Navy Captain and highly respected leader in admiralty and maritime law, James has spent decades building a successful legal career while maintaining a deep connection to his family’s Italian roots. Inspired by generations of family winemaking traditions, James and his wife Annie returned to his ancestral home in Puglia to seek out exceptional vineyards and artisans who shared their commitment to quality and authenticity. This passion ultimately led to the creation of Mercante Wine Merchants, a collection of wines that celebrates Italian craftsmanship, heritage and storytelling. Through Mercante, James combines his lifelong connection to the sea with his dedication to preserving family traditions and sharing the culture and artistry of Italian winemaking.

EXPERIENCES

  • Intimate onboard lectures hosted by James Mercante tracing the rich traditions of Italian viticulture, from the sunbaked vineyards of Puglia to the rolling hills of Tuscany and beyond. Each session weaves together wine knowledge, cultural history and personal family storytelling.

  • Guided tastings featuring premium Italian wines from Mercante Wine Merchants’ portfolio, with James leading guests through each selection, sharing the stories of the families and regions behind the bottles.

  • Curated dining events aboard Seven Seas Grandeur® pairing Mercante wines with regional Italian cuisine, exploring how food and wine traditions intersect across Italy’s diverse regions.

  • A distinctive element of this Spotlight Voyage: James’s career as a retired U.S. Navy Captain and maritime attorney gives this programming a unique storytelling dimension, exploring the intersection of seafaring tradition, Italian heritage and the culture of wine. These sessions offer guests a more personal and narrative-driven experience than a traditional wine voyage.

  • Optional programming ashore in Italian ports — including vineyard visits or producer tastings in southern Italy — connecting the onboard wine program to the regions guests are visiting.

ALLOW US TO TAKE CARE OF EVERY DETAILALLOW US TO TAKE CARE OF EVERY DETAILALLOW US TO TAKE CARE OF EVERY DETAIL

ALLOW US TO TAKE CARE OF EVERY DETAIL

Our exceptional service begins long before you step aboard. Your Personal Consultant will help you or your Travel Advisor plan your next ultra-luxury cruise vacation.