Chile’s Casablanca Wine Valley is world-famous for its technology and commitment to terroir, producing some of Chile’s best white wines and cool-climate reds. Just an hour from Santiago, its vineyards are easily accessible for visits. Not much farther along the highway leading to the coast is Valparaiso, one of Chile’s most historic and artistic cities, filled with brightly colored buildings, bohemian cafes, elegant restaurants, and spectacular harbor views.
Day 1: Casablanca Valley
Your guide will meet you at your hotel to head for the renowned Casablanca Valley. Your first visit will be to Loma Larga Vineyards, where you will enjoy a tour and tasting. Named “Winery of the Year 2011” by Wine & Spirits magazine, Loma Larga continues to set the bar for quality cold-climate red wines with several award winners and consistent 90+ point ratings by such prestigious publications as Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
HOUSE Casa del Vino
You’ll then head to HOUSE Casa del Vino for a delicious lunch featuring a multi-course special food and wine pairing menu.
Just a short drive away is your second destination, Kingston Family Vineyards. Since its first vintage in 2003, Kingston has been turning heads with its small production Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc. While coastal Casablanca is usually known for its white wines, Kingston is pioneering the production of cool-climate, artisan-style reds. Wines from the 300-acre family ranch are handcrafted and bottled on site. Wine Spectator commended Kingston for “bringing diversity and excitement to Chile” and Wine Enthusiast heralded the vineyard as the “Sommeliers’ New Chilean Favorite.”
Meals Included: Lunch
Day 2: Valparaiso
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before meeting your guide to begin your tour of the city. You will start in the downtown sector of the port, learning about the history of Valparaíso and its importance to South American trade and commerce. We will ride the 19th-century ascensores and walk through the eclectic Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre neighborhoods. You will also have the opportunity to visit poet and Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda’s former home, “La Sebastiana.”
Your lunch in Valparaíso will be at one of the city’s top restaurant nestled in the hills. With a privileged vista of the bay and a varied menu paired with a fresh pisco sour or a glass of excellent wine, what could be better?
After lunch, you’ll head with your guide to the neighboring resort city of Viña del Mar, also known as “the garden city” for its lush gardens and palm-lined boulevards. In the afternoon, you’ll be transported back to Santiago or on to your next destination to continue your adventure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Recommended trip combinations:
Preparing for a tasting at Loma Larga
This tour is available to begin Monday through Saturday, all year round.
Price per Person (US$): $907.00
*based on a minimum of 2 travelers
*Prices valid through August 31st, 2015.
Price Includes:
Colorful homes in Cerro Concepcion, Valparaiso
Casa Higueras: From its perch within the bohemian Cerro Alegre hill, Casa Higueras is one of Valparaiso’s most charming boutique hotels. The hotel was formerly a private home, built around 1930 and later restored, preserving the traditional and intimate characteristics of the original structure. With 20 rooms spread over five floors, Casa Higueras enjoys breathtaking views of the harbor and historic Valparaiso. The hotel also includes a hillside garden, pool, spa, and a rooftop terrace with panoramic vistas.
Hotel Casa Higueras
