MANHATTAN — Sandals Resorts held a media event in New York City this past Thursday to announce the new ways in which the luxury all-inclusive leader will be enhancing the Sandals Resorts vacation experience in 2015.

Media at the event were treated to an assortment of foods from the resort company’s new globally-inspired restaurants paired with new wines from a new five-year collaboration with Robert Mondavi Wines.

Ever the game changer, Sandals Resorts has been on a culinary journey to push the envelope and elevate the Sandals’ dining experience for travellers. With culinary tourism on the rise, Sandals Resorts is expanding its ‘Discovery Dining’ program by inviting guests to take a closer look and savour the impressive and innovative array of cuisine available at Sandals from around the world.

“Guests can now embark on a culinary journey through our authentic, globally-inspired cuisine that we created with our culinary team that includes chefs from 32 countries,” said Adam Stewart, CEO, Sandals Resorts International. “We recruit talent from all over the world including Europe, the Americas and the Far East, so that the regional cuisines and experiences we are creating are not mere interpretations, but reflective of the true techniques and presentations of the chefs who know them best.”

Guests can dine on Italian, fresh seafood, French haute cuisine, island specialties, traditional steakhouses, Thai, sushi, Southwestern, Mediterranean Rim, Indian and British pub favourites, and a decadent selection of French patisserie and crêperie.

With Discovery Dining, Sandals has raised the bar as the Gold Standard in the industry but it doesn’t end there. Part of developing the gourmet dining experience at Sandals is to reinvent the spirits experience as well.

Stewart announced that Robert Mondavi Wines has replaced Beringer Vineyards as its primary partner for wines. “Robert Mondavi worked with our culinary team to produce private-label wines exclusively for Sandals,” said Stewart. “As the knowledge of food and wine grows, so must our offerings.”

As of March 1, 2015, guests can enjoy an expanded complimentary wine list as well as an enhanced Manager’s Wine List and on resort programming including wine pairings and wine tastings.

Resorts will now offer a selection of six complimentary house wines, increased from four varietals, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Approachable and easy to drink, these wines were selected for their ability to pair with the resorts’ global, authentic cuisine. Additionally, wines from California, Washington, Australia, Italy and New Zealand will be available through an enhanced Manager’s Wine List at all signature Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts restaurants.

“Like Sandals, Mr. Robert Mondavi always believed wine, food and good company enrich the soul and contribute to a gracious lifestyle,” said Dana Andrus, senior wine educator at Robert Mondavi Winery, who also on hand at the event. “This partnership is all about the belief that we can enhance the consumer experience by matching wonderful food served in spectacular locations with the enjoyment of great wines.”

When Sandals Barbados opens on Jan. 28, 2015 after a US$65 million renovation project, it will feature the brand’s first-ever Indian restaurant, Bombay Club. Guests can also dine at the resort’s second signature steakhouse, Butch’s Chophouse. The first one debuted at Sandals LaSource Grenada Resort & Spa earlier this year. Sandals LaSource Grenada has become the new group standard for Sandals.

The Southern Table, an authentic journey through iconic Southern cuisine and Tapas on the Riviera, a Mediterranean small-plates restaurant, will debut at Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios in February 2015. The property is also undergoing a major renovation that will add a beach club as well as The Rabbit Hole which will tap into the popular Speakeasy trend, which Stewart said will feature “authentic 1920s décor with opulent furnishings and incredible service”.

“The Closer You Look in every sector, Sandals elevates the experience with our quest for doing things better. We push five-star international standards,” said Stewart.

As an example, Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay is adding 1,200 square foot, over-the-water suites to its existing property that will include in-suite Jacuzzis and infinity pools on their outdoor decks. The project should be completed by winter 2015.

“Sandals represents the future of Caribbean tourism,” said Stewart, “and when something is successful, the competition follows suit.” It’s clear that Sandals Resorts International has every intention to continue raising the all-inclusive experience as they innovatively move forward into 2015 and beyond. For more information visit sandals.com.