Day 1 - Exploring the Aconcagua Valley and Chile's Best Carmeneres
Carmenere, praised in ancient Rome and then as one of the original six Bordeaux varietals, is now produced almost exclusively in Chile. Arriving in the mid-19th century, when Chilean winery owners were busy copying everything French, the Carmenere vines were mistaken for Merlot and never harvested as a distinct varietal. It wasn't until 1994 that Carmenere was discovered (by a Frenchman) to be alive and well in Chile. Today, Carmenere is known as the "lost grape of Bordeaux" and is considered Chile's emblematic varietal.
Our exclusive Carmenere tasting tour will take you an hour north of Santiago to the Aconcagua Valley. The valley is named for the the stunning peak of Aconcagua which you can see on clear days. At 22,830 feet (6959 meters) it is the highest point in the Western and Southern hemisphere. The Aconcagua Valley is Chile’s smallest wine valley, but very well known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and award-winning Carménère production.
Moving toward the mountainous eastern edge of the valley we will visit the San Esteban Winery one of Chile’s first hillside wineries. This land was home to an earlier civilization that has left enigmatic remnants of their culture in the form of rock petroglyphs full of symbolism and mystery. A producer of some very impressive reds we will have a unique tasting— a three-year vertical of Winemaker’s Reserve Carménère. Next you will visit Errazuriz Winery, one of the largest, oldest wineries in Chile and considered one of the most beautiful. Founded in 1870, it is in the forefront of producing upscale, quality wines. Here we will taste: three different Carménères including single vineyard and premium Kai (Robert Parker 96 points). Continuing our quest to truly “know” Carménère wine, we travel to Von Siebenthal Winery, a small boutique winery of international fame. Founded by Swiss lawyer, Mauro Von Siebenthal, the winery is now producing globally-recognized red wines and in 2004 their premium Montelig wine won best red wine in the world at the Brussels Wine Expo. Their wines have only flourished since this well-deserved recognition. Your tasting will include their Carménères for which Von Siebenthal is recognized as a leading producer.
You will enjoy a very nice end to our day as you are the invited guests of Mr. Von Siebenthal in his guest house for the night.
Day 2 - Relax & Enjoy the Beauty of Chile
After starting the day with a delicious Chilean breakfast you can plan the day's events with your guide. From the Aconcagua Valley there are many options to explore the mountains and coast of the central Valley including a visit to Zapallar beach resort on the Pacific coast, a drive into the Andes Mountains to the Portillo Ski center surrounded by Andean peaks and the turquoise blue Inca Lake, or a hike in the La Campana National park just a half hour from the vineyard.
In the evening after another exciting day in Chile you will return to Santiago.
