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Santiago City Tours

Day 1: Casablanca Valley. West of Santiago, on the road to Valparaíso, is the Casablanca Valley. A cool coastal climate makes this wine-growing region ideal for white varietals, and accordingly, the Casablanca Valley is known for its premium Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines. Wine production began in this region as late as the 1980s, and as a result the wine facilities here have a very modern feel.

We begin our tour with a visit to one of the first wineries built in the Casablanca Valley, Viña Villard. Here, the enthusiasm and passion for winemaking is contagious. Our host, Charles Villard, a second-generation winemaker, will share with us some of their excellent Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines.

Our next stop is virtually next-door, at Viña Orgánica Emiliana, a leader in the organic winegrowing movement and internationally recognized for their premium wine, Coyam. We will then enjoy a gourmet lunch at Restaurant Indómita, located on a hillside that overlooks the Viña Indómita valley.

We head farther west toward the coast and to Viña Matetic, a beautiful winery located between the Casablanca and Leyda valleys. Matetic produces award-winning Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. We then head back toward Santiago and to the Maipo Valley and Viña Tarapacá, where we will have dinner and spend the night in the winery’s handsome, historic mansion inn.

Day 2: Maipo Valley. The day starts early with a tour of the lovely grounds at Viña Tarapacá, and a tasting in their antique cellars. We then visit Viña Santa Rita, also in the Maipo Valley and the third-largest producer of wine in Chile. Lunch will be served at the winery’s Doña Paula Restaurant, located within a building that has been designated a national historic monument.

Our last stop in the Maipo Valley will be at Portal del Alto. This small, family-run winery is headed by Alejandro Hernandez, who was the first non-European president of the International Organization of Vineyards and Wine. The day ends with a drive south to the Colchagua Valley and the lovingly restored Hotel Viña Casa Silva. Dinner tonight is on your own in the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 3: Colchagua Valley. The tourist-friendly Colchagua Valley is located about two hour’s drive from Santiago, and it is often referred to as “Chile’s Napa Valley.” This region is known for producing some of the country’s best reds, particularly Merlot, Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Our day begins with a tour and wine tasting at Viña Casa Silva, which produces an award-winning Carmenère, the signature grape of Chile. We then drive 45 minutes toward the coast and through the heart of the Colchagua Valley and huaso (Chilean cowboy) country. Here we will visit Viu Manent, a winery that is producing some of the best Malbec in South America – much to the chagrin of Argentines, who consider Malbec their signature wine! The visit includes a ride through the vineyards on a horse-drawn carriage for an expert overview of the terroir of the Colchagua Valley. After the wine tasting, we will have lunch at Viu Manent’s restaurant.

Across the road, in the “Apalta” region, is the leader of Chile’s wine revolution, Montes. The visit begins with an exciting tour through their brand-new winery. Completed in 2004, it is South America’s most modern winemaking facility. The tour then heads up a hillside planted with vineyards that give name to their premium Syrah, “Folly.” At a high lookout point, we then enjoy a wine tasting and spectacular view of the Colchagua Valley. Return to Santiago.

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