No other region in the country stands out as much as the Colchagua Valley. Approximately 150 km (93 miles) south of the capital city, Santiago; Colchagua is truly blessed when it comes to producing red wines. Warm and naturally dry, but with an abundant water supply from the Tinguiririca River, Colchagua is a narrow agricultural valley that begins at the foot of the Andes and extends west to the Pacific Ocean.
There are around 910,000 hectares (2,250 acres) that offer many different microclimates, soil types, steep hillsides ideal for vineyards, and a growing number of wineries that are perfectly able to make excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and many good Carmen¨re and Malbec wines.
Sample Itinerary:
We will pick you up from your Hotel and set off from Santiago at 8:00hrs in the morning heading towards Valle de Colchagua.
- Our first stop takes us to Clos de Apalta; this revolutionary winery is solely dedicated to the production of Casa Lapostolle’s world-class icon wine; Clos Apalta.
- The winery is 100% gravity-fed spanning five levels, three of which are buried into the granite of the Apalta hillside to provide a natural cool temperature environment for cellaring and ageing. This rare vertical design allows the wine to flow naturally downward during every stage of the production, eliminating the need to pump, which can adversely affect the subtle flavours of the wine.
Grapes are hand-harvested and brought to the highest level of the winery where they will be 100% hand-destemmed, a labor-intensive technique performed by only very few wineries throughout the world.
- We then continue to Laura Hartwig Winery. Laura Bisquertt inherited the property of Santa Laura from her father in 1966. Later, her husband, Alejandro Hartwig and she moved to Canada, where they discovered their passion for excellent wine. Coming back to Chile they decided to open their Boutique winery in 1990 as a retirement project and named it after their daughter.
- We then arrive at Bodega Viu Manent for Lunch at the recently opened Rayuela Viu Manent’s new restaurant; a very charming and welcoming place with a panoramic views of Apalta. Chef Christian Adrian mans the kitchen and offers a simple menu of grilled foods such as meats and fish that guests combine with a variety of side dishes of their choosing.
- Our last stop on our way back to Santiago is to enjoy a wine tasting at Bodega Casa Silva,the oldest and most traditional in the Colchagua Valley, and recognised as one of the most beautiful in Chile. The blend between old and new is of special interest; and both live alongside one another in perfect harmony.
Oenologist Mario Geisse Garca was awarded the National Grape Growing & Winemaking Award in 1990. To reflect the premium nature of the wines from Casa Silva, 2004 sees a new range of labeling and all wines are now under the Casa Silva banner.
We’ll be back in Santiago around 20:00hrs.
Includes:
- All winery visits and upgrade wine tasting fees
- Comfortable Transportation
- English speaking Wine host
- Mineral Water
- Lunch at Rayuela
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