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It's certainly surprising when an American oenophile goes to Holland , walks into what is arguably the world's finest yacht-building yard, and orders a megayacht designed with gala wine-tasting parties in mind.
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It's even more surprising when he agrees to open his stunning creation to a select few charter guests. That's just what Mike Kittredge, the founder of Yankee Candle Company, is doing with his 197-foot Feadship, Paraffin . Since the boat was built in 2001, Kittredge and his family have been using her almost exclusively, but with a new baby keeping the family close to home, he's agreed to allow a handful of select charters.
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At a base rate of $320,000 per week in the Caribbean and $340,000 per week in the Mediterranean , Paraffin 's 12 guests can enjoy what is just may be the finest atmosphere afloat for lovers of fine wine. The main saloon and formal dining room are separated by a chilled mahogany-and-glass cabinet that holds upward of 400 bottles—each ready to be served by the crew of 16, including a head steward who previously was the dining room manager on the QE2 .
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Atmosphere is so important, it takes nearly three hours to arrange the table, glasses and themed accouterments for dinners.Mr. Kittredge worked with Feadship's craftsmen to incorporate stowage for 450 wineglasses, mostly Riedel and Spiegelau, so he could hold tasting parties for dozens of people at a moment's notice. Head chef Robert Shepherd helped the Feadship team design see-through mechanisms that keep the glasses upright and on display when the yacht is under way by holding them at the stem, not beneath the bowl, as is done on most other yachts.
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The effect is stunning—even when Paraffin is cruising at her top speed of 16 knots, the glasses look as if they have been delicately placed in a china cabinet, not secured for ocean passages.
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The owners believe a proper ambience is paramount no matter the occasion, and thus designed Paraffin with more than one space for entertaining. In addition to the formal areas on the main deck, they incorporated an outdoor Jacuzzi one deck up that converts into a banquet table for 24 guests. It's a fabulous spot for cocktails in the Mediterranean , where yachts usually dock stern-to.
Family and friends have been known to mingle for hours high above the quay, sharing stories and hors d'oeuvres, shielded from the late-day sun by a removable tent. At the end of the day, charter guests can retire to the master stateroom, where the “alarm clock” can be set to silently open the drapes at a certain time the following morning.
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Or, if a midnight cruise is on the itinerary, guests can meet their wineglasses in the wheelhouse and share the night sky with the captain. There's a comfortable spot the leather bench seating, next to a pillow embroidered with the phrase: “Too much of a good thing is simply wonderful.” |
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Written By Kim Kavin, editor of www.CharterWave.com
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