An industry veteran, Barge Lady Lori offers our guests a wealth of insider’s intuition and insightful information based on years of first-hand experience.
An early career in international and domestic wine sales jump started Lori’s foray into hospitality. From luxury and casual dining management, to Caribbean resorts and private yachting, her background has culminated in bringing her discerning eye (and palate!) to our portfolio of European barge cruises. With almost two decades of professional experience and personal travels in our niche trade, Lori has welcomed the opportunities to sail in almost all of the regions represented by Barge Lady Cruises.
Lori’s enthusiasm for the cultural connections offered by barge cruising is reflected in her yearly explorations of Europe’s inland waterways. Memorable excursions include winetasting in the iconic vineyards of Nuits St George and the wine villages of Montrachet; visiting the WW1 monuments of Belleau Woods in Champagne, where she was profoundly moved by the historical significance of the Marne region; and enjoying France’s Bastille Day firework celebrations viewed from the private perch of C’est la Vie’s splendid deck. These and many other extraordinary experiences throughout Europe’s barge cruising regions inform her expert suggestions and seasoned service for our clients.
In her free time, Lori brings the tastes of her extensive European travels into her well-appointed home kitchen. She identifies as an avid baker of crusty sourdough breads, and will make anything to do with apples. Pairing the perfect wines with her sumptuous home-cooked meals is an ongoing pleasure; her current selections in good stock are from the Côtes du Rhône, along with a variety of Tuscan reds.
Lori says, “As a foodie and Francophile, mingling with locals while browsing French markets is one of my favorite things to do. For a passionate gastronome such as myself, Bordeaux‘s ‘Marche de Capucine’ serves as both a cultural beacon and a culinary icon. Open since 1749 (!!!), these days the grand halls and busy stalls are full of regional produce, handmade specialties, and French delicacies. Sipping, sampling, and shopping my way through this historical indoor market was pure epicurean pleasure!”