One for the road: Tour company offers travel with a focus on wine
by Joy JordanWhile Cape Cod is a destination that many people travel to, its residents also travel from the Cape to a variety of locales, domestically and internationally. Many baby boomers in particular now have the time and money to take the trips they had always wanted to, see the places they had always dreamed of seeing, and indulge their hobbies and interests.
Ted Nelson, president of Hospitality Tours in Orleans, said that the boomer market and senior market vary in distinct ways. They are in search of different travel experiences, and “Of course their financial conditions and mindset are also very different. The seniors learned how to save and generally be thrifty in their spending even on vacations – price is very important for them even though they have the cash. Baby boomers generally spend easily and indulge themselves more.”
In addition, Nelson said, “The baby boomers prefer to travel in small groups or as families.” One Cape company has found success serving this desire for group travel while also acknowledging the wine zeitgeist.
Debbie Gentile was born on Cape Cod but Paul came to the Cape in 2000 from Central New York, where he had worked at several area wineries. “When I came here, I was surprised that more people didn’t know about the Finger Lakes region or New England wineries,” he said, “so Debbie and I wanted to found a company that would bring the winery experience to people personally, offer some type of culinary exposure, and feature a cultural or historic venue.” So, in 2003, the Gentiles founded Come Wine With Us, a travel company that concentrates on those three goals for all of its trips.
The company works with Cape Destinations to run a small luxury motor coach to travel to different New England wineries, restaurants and a historic or cultural venue if close to the winery. Trips, which are usually held on a Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., are intimate, because they are restricted to 15 to 20 people.
The trips vary in their locations, but always include good wine and good food. Previous trips have included Friday night wine and sunset cruises out of Falmouth Harbor and three-day jaunts to the Finger Lakes to visit the New York Wine and Culinary Center.
Past clients often request certain trips, as well, he added. “In the fall, we have some trips that people ask us to do – lots of people are return customers and request certain trips – one is to Sharpe Hill Vineyards in Connecticut, which features an old barn that is a French provincial restaurant; we also tour the vineyards there.” The tour also stops in Federal Hill in Providence.
In December, Come Wine With Us tours the Newport mansions, which are beautifully decorated for the holidays. Paul and Debbie say its one of their most popular trips.
Gentile notes that about 80 percent of his travelers are baby boomers. “Those people have additional time and money. They also want to try new things, and wine is one of those hot things exploding.”
Personal enrichment is appealing for this group, he said, in that they are looking for a personal trip where they can explore new things. The format of Come Wine With Us’ trips are such that it can appeal to wine connoisseurs and novices alike. “Some people are intimidated by wine, and because our trips are personal and intimate, people don’t feel as intimidated and see it as a good learning experience. This is an important aspect of our business.”
The small group approach offers other benefits to travelers, as well. “Some people, when they go on a trip, especially women or groups of women, they want to know that it’s safe – we provide that so they can relax. Because we use the Cape Destinations bus, no one has to drive, there’s no danger from drinking and driving. This group wants personal attention and doesn’t necessarily want to be herded onto the giant tour bus and shuttled around.”
Published in Cape Business November/December 2007
Joy Jordan is managing editor of Cape Business magazine. She has worked in the technology and publishing industries and was chief copy editor for Cape Cod Community Newspapers. 
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