THE CHILEAN WINE ROUTE

On this trip you will discover luscious Chilean vineyards and sample the delicious wines that they have to offer. Chile is rich in natural beauty adding spectacular scenery, including the Andes Mountains, to the delights that this trip will bring you. You will become acquainted with local customs, enjoy fine Chilean gastronomy and visit colonial towns. All the meals indicated in the program are accompanied by wines chosen especially for each occasion. A bi-lingual enologist will guide you on the wine tours, providing personalized attention to make this an unforgettable experience.

Chilean wine making tradition stretches back to 1548 when Spanish settlers bought the first vines from Europe. Centuries of practice, Chile's excellent climatic conditions, fresh mountain water and fertile soil have transformed it into one of the foremost wine producing countries in the world. One of Chile's wine secrets is the Carmenere grape variety. The Carmenere grape vines are the only surviving examples of top quality French vines that were destroyed by the Philoxera plague in the 1850s. The Carmenere produces complex and well flavored wines with a velvety finish.

ITINERARIES

The tour can be done in a number of ways. The following itinerary is the fine dining option. A biking and wine tour and a walking and wine tour, or a combination of the two are also avaialble.

This is a 7 day/6 night tour. Tours normally depart on a Sunday with a minimum of 4 and maximum of 10 people. Tours run from October to May. Private tours lasting 3-5 days are available for groups of two or more. Please contact us for details. robin@SpecialisedAdventure.com

Day 1 - Santiago

Transfer from Santiago International Airport to the Hotel, located in a peaceful residential zone, near restaurants and services. After checking in, you will visit a local restaurant for a welcome lunch and a briefing on the trip and activities over the next 7 days. Lunch will be followed by a City tour of Santiago. An introductory talk on the characteristics that make up Chile's wine producing valleys, a wine tasting given by sommelier and a welcome dinner round off the first day. (L,D)

Day 2 - Aconcagua Valley

After a light breakfast, we take a two hour ride for our first tour of a vineyard. At Viña Errázuriz, one of Chile’s loveliest vineyards, you will see the old wine cellars and enjoy a walk through the vineyard. Views of the entire valley are an especially pleasing aspect of this visit. You will see the different grape varieties growing on the hillsides and of course enjoy the wine tasting and lunch at Viña Errázuriz.

In the afternoon, wine tasting and a tour of Viña Von Siebenthal or Viña San Esteban. will take place. You will arrive back at the hotel in Santiago around 7:30 pm. The evening is free, allowing you to eat a light meal should you choose to, or relax. (B,L)

Day 3 - Valparaíso, Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys

A 7:30 a.m. departure fort he coastal city of Valparaison will take us through the Casablanca and San Antonio Valleys. These valleys enjoy a privileged location with excellent growing conditions. The white wines produced here are some of the best in Chile.

A two hour drive will be followed by a City tour of Valparaíso, including unusual features such as the hillside elevators, patrimony of humanity as well as historic sites. The tour will be followed by a wine tasting at Viña Matetic, an exclusive "boutique" vineyard that makes fine wines from 100% organic grapes. During the tour you will visit a traditional Chilean hacienda and a modern wine cellar inserted in the natural surroundings with spectacular views of the vineyards. If you are planning on shipping some bottles back with you, this a vineyard really worth buying from. “Wine Spectator” awarded 92 points to the Viña Matetic EQ Syrah wine and 90 points to the EQ Sauvignon Blanc wine. You will get to sample some of their best wines at the Gourmet lunch in the Viña Matetic gardens.

At 7:30 p.m.you will check into the Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza. Dinner on your own (B,L)

Day 4 - Colchagua Valley

We shall leave the comforts of the Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza in search of Viña Montes. Here you will enjoy panoramic views of the Apalta valley during the tour and wine tasting. A brief tour around the vineyard of Viña Viu Manent in horse drawn carriages will proceed the sampling of their wines. A country lunch in the gardens or dining rooms at Viña Viu Manent will be followed by a visit to Colchagua museum.

Following the Latin American tradition of dining late, we dine tonight at 9:00 pm. at the "Pan, pan, Vino, vino" (Bread, bread, Wine, wine) restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Maipo Valley

A 9:00 a.m.check out of the Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza will see us arrive at Viña Pérez Cruz at around 11:00 a.m. Viña Pérez Cruz is a small and exclusive boutique vineyard that produce fine red wines. The wine cellar stands out for its modern architecture inserted in the Chilean countryside. After this visit, we will enjoy a gourmet lunch at Viña Santa Rita followed by a tour of their vineyard and cellars. After the tour we return to Santiago and check in to the Hotel Bonaparte. Dinner tonight is on your own (B,L)

Day 6 - Maipo Valley

A later departure time of 10:00 am will you to lie in should you desire. On this mornings visit, you will taste the fine wines of Viña Aquitania, a small and exclusive vineyard on the outskirts of Santiago. Lunch at a local restaurant will be followed by a tour and wine tasting at Viña Concha y Toro or Viña Haras de Pirque. You will arrival at your hotel in Santiago at 6:30 p.m. leaving you time to get ready for the end of tour dinner (B,L,D)

Day 7 - End of program

After a buffet breakfast, you will bid farewell to Chile as you are transfered to the airport for your flight home (B).

PRICE:

From US$ 2,299 per person sharing a double room in groups of 4 or more.

Two person trip: Add US$315.00

Single room supplement: US$ 425.00

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WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Private chauffeur driven transport in an air conditioned bus.

Transfers from airport to hotel and from hotel to airport.

Specialized Chilean wine guides for the entire trip.

Explanatory briefing on Chilean wines given by a local sommelier.

Lodging at 4 star hotels in Santiago and Santa Cruz.

7 buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 3 dinners accompanied by wine.

City tours of Santiago and Valparaíso.

Entrance fees to vineyards with wine tasting.

Entrance fee to Colchagua museum.

Tips at meals.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:

Tips for the guide and chauffeur.

Payment of reciprocity tax at the international airport (US$ 100 for North American tourists).

Personal expenses such as clothes washing, telephone charges, and others not indicated in program.