REGION: Central Chile
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 1 (Easy)
SUMMARY: Visit two of the 18 wineries in Colchagua Valley for a complete tour and tasting of several excellent wines. These two wineries are among the most renowned wine makers in the world. This tour can be taken from Santiago.
DURATION: 12 hrs. as arranged
MIN. / MAX. PEOPLE: 2-15; more by prior arrangement
SEASON: Year round weather permitting
ITINERARY: Pick up from your hotel in Santiago at 08:00 a.m., to head south toward San Fernando town the capital of the province of Colchagua, in central Chile, and the second most populated urban center of the Region. Located close to the Tinguiririca River (a tributary of the Rapel) in a fertile valley, San Fernando is at 1,112 feet (339 m) above sea level. It was founded in 1742.
From San Fernando we take the detour toward Colchagua vineyards. This valley is one of Chile’s best known of the 13 wine regions in Chile, and has earned many awards for its full-bodied Cabernet, Carménère, Syrah, and Malbec. These wines regularly appear high on the world’s lists of leading wines. Colchagua is also known as the home to the ‘huaso’ (Chilean cowboys). It was named “World’s Best Wine Region” by Wine Enthusiast.
The first vineyard (viña) we visit is Viña Viu Manent founded in 1935 by the Viu family. In the vineyard we take a traditional cart pulled by two Percheron horses, to be introduced to the different vines.
After the visit to Viu Manent vineyards you have the option to have lunch at their restaurant or continue for lunch at Santa Cruz. After lunch we continue to the famous Lapostolle Clos Apalta winery in Santa Cruz or similar. Apalta valley is lodged between the Tinguiririca River, a tributary of the Rapel River, and a chain of the Coastal Cordillera that ends in a “horse shoe” shape. Both form a barrier that delays the arrival of the sun in the morning and attenuates the exposure to the sunlight in the evening. Also, thanks to the hills that surround the vineyard, the old vines located in the lowest part of the field receive underground water that provides sufficient natural water supply during almost the whole growing season.
Apalta vineyard was planted with Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah from 1920 to 2006. Some of the oldest blocks planted in 1920, have vines that were brought from France at the end of the 19th century. Apalta is also 100% under Organic and Biodynamic management.
If time allows we visit the Colchagua Museum. We end our tour at your hotel in Santiago, around 18:00 p.m.
Note: It is essential that you wear layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion, windbreaker, sunglasses, hat, and sun protector.
INCLUDED: Professional local tour guide (with First Aid Accreditation and mobile phone), tour of winery and grounds, wine tasting, and private transportation.
NOT INCLUDED: Travel insurance, personal equipment, lunch*, tips or anything not listed in the program.
*Optional lunch at a winery restaurant can be booked for an additional fee with early arrangements.
GUEST PROVIDES: Comfortable clothes appropriate to the activity.
TOUR OPERATED BY: Patagonia SouthernLand Expeditions staff
COST: Request a quote!
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