Altair Travel and Ward on Wine invite you to Experience The Enticing Douro August 5-12, 2025

A 7-Night River Cruise from Porto to Porto

Rambling vineyards and charming native farms cling to the steep sides of the Douro River Valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions and to Port country— the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. Sail roundtrip from Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges”; visit Regua, the ‘capital’ of the Douro Valley; and marvel at Salamanca, the UNESCO-designated “Golden City.” Taste wines from historic wineries and soak up the genuine beauty of one of Europe’s most unadulterated landscapes.

Mike Ward is a Certified Sommelier, Certified Wine Educator, Certified Specialist of Spirits and has successfully completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Level 3 Award in Wine. Mike completed certification at the Napa Valley Wine Educators Academy and is a member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, St. Louis Bailliage and serves as the Vice Echanson.

Mike began his career in the restaurant industry as general manager at some of St. Louis’s most popular restaurants, as well as holding the Food and Beverage Director position at top rated hotels.  From early on, Mike had a fascination with wine. This led him to his position as Missouri State Wine Educator for a large beverage alcohol distributorship.  Mike’s passion for wine guided him, along with his wife Mary, to start Ward on Wine, LLC, a wine consultant and education company. His current position is Director of Education at Breakthru Beverage Missouri.

Mike’s philosophy is that wine is not only to be paired with food, but also to be paired with people. There is a wine out there for everyone, no matter what their story may be.  Wine is to be celebrated, respected and enjoyed. There is a wine for every occasion, every journey, every place in time.