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CHILEAN WINE TOUR EXPERIENCE
Chile shares
borders with Peru in the North, Bolivia and Argentina in the East, and is
bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the south and west. It is one of the longest
countries on earth, with a
length of approximately 4,270 km, and an average width of less than
180 km
ITINERARY
Day 1 Santiago
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your wine expert guide and transferred
to the Ritz Carlton Hotel. In the afternoon you will start the exploration of
the city at the San Francisco Church built between 1572 and 1618. Then you will
visit the "Club Hípico" horse-racing track, which is considered one of the most
beautiful tracks in South America, before passing the Palacio de la Moneda,
currently seat of the government and continue on to visit the Plaza de Armas
where you will see important national monuments such as the Cathedral, the Main
Post Office and the City Hall. You will go on to the beautifully landscaped
Santa Lucia Hill where the city was founded in 1541. After crossing the Mapocho
River, you will pass through different residential districts to gain a general
impression of the city. You will enjoy your exclusive dinner at the new W-Hotel
Santiago. While sampling some of Chile's premium wines, you will be introduced
to the Chilean art of winemaking by your wine expert tour guide. (D)
Day 2 Santiago - Chillan Vineyards
After breakfast you will be transferred to Santiago's Airport to board a
short flight to Concepción where the legendary Bio Bio River meets the Pacific
Ocean. Upon arrival at Concepción, your journey continues east towards Bulnes.
Here in the Itata Valley - one of Chile's southernmost wine growing regions -
you will be welcomed at the first of the many surprising wineries throughout
your trip. Much of the vine planting is located on the eastern slopes of the
coastal mountains amongst pine forests. The climate is similar to the Maule
Valley but tending to be more humid. Soils are predominantly reddish-brown
volcanic sand, suitable for red and white varieties.
The winemakers of the Tierra y Fuego Winery will show you
their facilities and you will participate in a premium wine tasting. Organic
production here include 16 different grapevine stocks; this allows you to sample
the majority of all wines grown in Chile. The Swiss-owned and award winning
Tierra y Fuego is the vineyard that produces the greatest variety of Chilean
wines, it is the only one that has produced white wines from Malbec and Merlot
grapes, they produce French cask wines of grape and also produce traditional
vine stock such as Carmenère, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel, Semillón, Hermitage
and Gewürztraminer. Lunch and dinner at the winery's homely restaurant with its
exquisite culinary offer. Overnight at the small Guest house of the Chillan
winery. (B,D,L)
Day 3 Itata Valley - Quinamavida Spa - Gillmore Winery
& Vineyards
In the morning you will continue your journey leaving the Itata Valley to
head up north to the distinguished Maule Valley. The Maule Valley is the most
extensive winemaking region in Chile with the greater part of its vineyards in
the valley and on the slopes of the coastal mountains. Many white varieties,
predominantly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, and many red varieties, mainly
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and recently Carmenère, are produced here.
Before entering the Maule Region, you will stop for lunch
at the colonialstyle Quinamavida Spa & Resort to enjoy lunch and the hot
springs. Once you arrive at the idyllic Maule River Valley with its rolling
green hills, you will visit one of Chile's prime boutique vineyards
strategically located in the heart of the valley, home to Chile's most extensive
wine growing region. The Gillmore Winery & Vineyards are a family business
created in 1990 by Francisco Gillmore, in joint venture with his daughter and
his son-in-law. The annual production of the Gillmore vineyard is 25,000
bottles, consisting exclusively of ultra premium red wines. Wine tasting, superb
meals and overnight in the very exceptional Hotel Tabonkö that belongs to the
vineyard, characterized by its gardens, lagoon, pool, private zoo, creative
architecture and activities being offered. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Gillmore Vinery - The Maule Train - Gillmore
Vinery
After an early breakfast you will leave for the nearby train station in
Talca. Today you will discover part of the genuine Chilean country life on board
a very remarkable train ride alongside the beautiful Maule River Valley. The
tracks between Talca and the coastal city of Constitución are some of the last
ones in Chile still used by passenger trains. The laid-back convoy consisting of
the engine and a single car follows the Río Maule and sometimes stops in the
middle of a field to let people get off and on. It reaches Constitución after
2.5 hours. Upon arrival in Constitución, you will be driven to the beautiful
beach where you can walk on the black lava sand and appreciate its high imposing
rock cliffs. For lunch, you will enjoy recently caught fish in one of the small
restaurants along the waterfront. After lunch your vehicle will take you back to
Tabonkö Hotel,where you can enjoy the facilities of the hotel, ride a Chilean
horse or relax by the pool. Dinner and overnight at Tabonkö Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Gillmore Vinery – Bisquertt Vinery (Colchagua
Valley)
Today you will leave the Maule wine region and continue your wine trip to
the celebrated Colchagua Wine Valley. This valley stands out as the zone par
excellence for the Carmenère variety and remarkable Syrah and Cabernet
Sauvignon. The valley is home to Chile's new boutique wineries that produce
almost exclusively for export. At the heart of central Chile, Colchagua combines
the best of country traditions, hospitality and modern winery, setting new
standards in wine production as well as an example in local development and
integration through cooperation at all levels.
Overnight and dinner at the colonial-style Guest house of
Viña Bisquertt; Las Majadas de Colchagua. There, the old family house has been
remodelled to provide excellent accommodations as well as an inviting wine
cellar. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Colchagua ValleyAfter only a short ride you will arrive at Viu Manent
Vineyard - it played an important part in the history and tradition of Chilean
wines. The company has been exclusively owned by the family since its
inauguration in1935 and it is famous for its outstanding reds and enchanting
whites. After tasting of some of their premium wines, lunch will be served at
Viu Manent's new restaurant located in an old colonial construction called "La
Llaveria." This restaurant offers a menu that reflects the exceptional gourmet
tradition of the Colchagua Valley. In creating the menu, these masters of fine
cuisine were inspired to find the best food pairings for the Viu Manent wines.
The restaurant offers a fascinating ambience, with tables both indoors and
outside, and an excellent service to make your visit an unforgettable
experience.
Later in the afternoon, you will visit the Colchagua
Museum, which is around the corner of your hotel. It is the biggest private
collection in South America, exhibiting paleontological, archaeological, pre-
Colombian and colonial Spanish artifacts. Apart from these samples, it includes
thematic pavilions about the modernity, history, and development of arms, Huaso
riding gears, coaches and carriages, agricultural machinery and pavilions on
railways and automobiles. (B,D,L)
Day 7: Santa Cruz - Montes – San Antonio Valley
After breakfast, you will leave for the reputed Montes Vineyard. After
sampling Montes first-rate premium wines you will explore local flora on the
vineyard's estate; during your hike you will be able to distinguish more than a
hundred varieties of trees, shrubs, and flowers, always accompanied by the
spectacular view of the Colchagua Valley.
Afterwards we will leave the Colchagua-Valley and drive
through the “Ruta de Sol” toward the San Antonio Wine Valley, near Valparaiso.
This route is a great alternative to Chile’s main highway since it keeps most of
the quaint appearance from the old times.
We arrive to the impressive Matetic Winery. The Matetic
Family has been pioneers in cultivating Syrah in the cool climate of the San
Antonio Valley. In the old soil of granite origin, the fruit ripens slowly
giving the highest quality grapes. The organic technique of caring for the
vines allows them to preserve their natural balance and express their authentic
characteristics. The optimum quality of the grapes, the careful attention to
every detail, and the passion for Syrah give life to this truly exceptional
wine.
Overnight and dinner in La Casona de Viña Matetic. (B,D,L)
Day 8: Valparaiso - Santiago
After breakfast we will visit Valparaíso; where you will be
able to experience the oldest and most important port of Chile. Valparaiso’s
picturesque layout, enhanced by the surrounding hills that seem to dive into the
ocean, remind us that this was once the most important maritime destination of
the Pacific coast before the Strait of Panama as opened to navigation in 1914.
In the afternoon we will finish our journey arriving to
Santiago Airport. (B)
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