Chile is one of the world’s most important wine producers, where a Mediterranean climate and increasingly organic and sustainable farming practices combine to create high-quality wines which are the purest expression of their privileged terroir.
Chile is one of the world’s most important wine producers, where a Mediterranean climate and increasingly organic and sustainable farming practices combine to create high-quality wines which are the purest expression of their privileged terroir.
Day 1, Tuesday: The Cachapoal Valley
Viña Vik
Your guide will meet you at your Santiago hotel or selected ski resort around 9:00am to head into the agricultural heart of Chile and the Cachapoal Valley, located in the heart of Chile’s agricultural belt 90 minutes south of the capital. Forming the northern zone of what is more commonly known as the “Rapel Valley,” Cachapoal is predominantly known for its rich red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon near the Andes and award-winning Carménère near the center of the valley.
Our first destination is one of Cachapoal’s gems, the award-winning Anakena Winery. Located in the foothills of the Andes, Anakena utilizes the unique climate, modern technology, and a focus on sustainability to produce exceptional wines. “Wine is an expression of the culture and geography of a country,” observes Anakena’s founder Felipe Ibañez, and you will learn more about this philosophy as you enjoy a private tour and tasting of Anakena’s distinctive wines.
A short drive away is our second stop at Altair Winery. With only two labels – Altair and Sideral – boutique winery Altair was formed as a joint venture between Laurent Dassault, owner of Bordeaux’s Chateau Dassault and Chateau La Fleur, and industry giant Viñas San Pedro, the second largest wine producer in Chile. All harvesting is done by hand, in multiple passes through the vineyard, and berries are double sorted before crushing. Altair achieves with finesse the delicate mix between cutting-edge technology and traditional character. With consistent 90+ point rankings in such prestigious publications as Wine Enthusiast and Wine Advocate, Altair has earned its place among some of the world’s top wines. You will enjoy a private tour of the vineyards and winery followed by a delicious lunch in a beautiful setting.
In the late afternoon, you will be transported to your hotel in the region.
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner (if lodging at VIK)
Day 2, Wednesday: The Colchagua Valley
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you will set out to experience firsthand why the Colchagua Valley – constituting the southern half of the Rapel Valley – has earned the reputation as the king of Chilean reds.
Your first visit is to Montes Winery, founded in 1988 by esteemed Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes and three business partners with years of experience in oenology. Over the past two decades, Viña Montes has played a key role in reviving the Chilean wine industry and launching it to the level of international acclaim it enjoys today. At Montes, you will have a tour and tasting of some of their premium wines.
Next, you’ll head to the Neyen de Apalta Winery, which focuses all its production on one Bordeaux-style blend from 115 year-old Carménère vines. Neyen is the perfect blend of tradition and modernity, located on the site of one of the area’s pioneering 19th century wineries.
Then, we’ll continue on to family-run Viu Manent winery. Founded in 1935, Viu Manent’s core philosophy is centered in attention to detail, respect for the environment, and honoring tradition while embracing modernity to support continued excellence. This commitment has paid off, as Viu Manent wines have won several prestigious awards. Following a wine tasting, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at the winery.
Following our leisurely meal, you’ll be transported back to your hotel to enjoy a relaxing evening surrounded by miles of lush vines.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (if lodging at VIK)
Viña Vik
Day 3, Thursday: The Quest for Perfection
Today you will have a unique opportunity to visit one of the most important wine projects in the world. With major foreign investment and innovative vineyard techniques, the VIK Winery is attempting nothing short of making Chile’s first 100-point wine. On a plot of4,300 hectares – where modernity and the latest technology are fused with the oldest traditions of oenology – an elite team of winemakers is working diligently to produce Chile’s top wine.
Following a tour of the vineyards and bodega, you will enjoy a barrel tasting of the first VIK wines. This wine represents four years of hard work building a new vineyard in Chile, and you will be one of the first to try this soon-to-be famous Chilean wine.
In the early afternoon, you’ll head back to Santiago, Chile’s vibrant and modern capital city. Enjoy a free afternoon and evening to explore the city from your “home base” at the elegant boutique Le Reve Hotel, located in the heart of the beautiful Providencia neighborhood.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4, Friday: Santiago
Chosen by the New York Times as 2011’s #1 destination to visit, Santiago is a dynamic and contemporary metropolis located in the heart of Chile’s fertile central valley. Chile’s capital is a vibrant city full of character, with a thriving arts culture, trendy restaurant scene, and lively nightlife. Old-world colonial mansions and eclectic neighborhoods transition seamlessly to the skyscrapers and modern structures of the business district.
We will set out to visit Santiago’s most important historical and cultural sites, including the downtown area surrounding the Plaza de Armas and the La Moneda Presidential Palace. We will also pass by the Mercado Central, one of Chile’s largest fresh seafood markets and stroll by the many bustling stalls to see the tremendous variety available from Chile’s bountiful sea. We will visit some of the lesser known barrios of Santiago including República and Concha y Toro, which initially constituted the outskirts of the city, but with the capital’s constant growth were transformed into privileged neighborhoods and home to Santiago’s high society. There will be time to walk around and take photos of the varied styles of architecture dating back to the 19th and early 20th century. Continuing through the cobblestoned Lastarria neighborhood, we will walk through the Parque Forestal and pass by the Bellas Artes Museum. For a panoramic vista of the city, we will visit the top of Cerro San Cristobal Hill,600 feet above the city.
During the tour, you will have the option to visit one of Santiago’s most famous museums, La Chascona, one of the former homes of Chile’s beloved poet, Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda.
At the conclusion of the tour, your driver and guide will transport you to Santiago’s international airport for your departing flight or to your chosen ski resort accommodations to begin your ski week.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Recommended trip combinations:
Altair Winery
This tour is available to begin every day during the months of June thru September. This itinerary is especially designed to complement our ski itineraries during the winter season.
Price per Person (US$):
Price Includes:
Viña Vik
Vik Guest Lodge: Along with the vineyards, VIK’s team has built the “perfect four room cottage”. Sitting atop a hill in the middle of the property, it provides luxury accommodations and a 360-degree view only made better by the cozy common area with its fireplace and delicious dinner offered to guests.
Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza: Located in the lovely town of the same name, the Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza was the Colchagua Valley’s first “wine country” hotel. It’s an elegant Spanish colonial building which fits perfectly into the picturesque setting of Colchauga – combining wine, history, and Chilean tradition with modern amenities and service to provide an excellent experience for guests. The hotel’s location on the main plaza in the center of town means easy access to anywhere in Santa Cruz. The terra-cotta tiles, heavy doors, interior patio, and other colonial-era details of the hotel add to its charm.
Le Reve: Inspired by the small hotels of Paris, Le Reve is an elegant boutique hotel exuding style, sophistication, and service. This historic French-style mansion is subtly nestled in the heart of Providencia, one of the city’s oldest and most iconic neighborhoods. Twenty-eight tastefully decorated rooms and three suites as well as a charming interior garden create a relaxing experience amidst the bustling city.