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| A
tasting wine trip into the Colchagua Valley: |
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One
of the most characteristic wine-producing areas in Chile is the Colchagua
valley. Located some 100 miles (160 km) south of Santiago, it stretches
from the Pan American Highway west towards the coast. Colchagua, which
in the native indigenous language means "valley of small lagoons",
is the land in which the hunting tribe named the "Chiquillanes"
settled the most warlike, battle-hardened group of the Mapuche nation.
The first pre-Hispanic irrigation works were built by the Incas, and
using this method, agriculture was introduced to Colchagua. Later,
the Jesuit missionaries planted the first vines in Chile in order
to create communion wine. These vineyards were established on Colchagua
Valley's coastal area, at the Jesuit Mission settlement of Pichilemu.
This would mark the beginning of vitiviniculture in the Colchagua
Valley.
The perfect latitude for solar radiation, the Pacific breeze acting
to moderate the temperature, the protective nature of the Andes Mountains,
allows that the grape varieties can have the perfect environment in
the valleys that are located from the north to the south of the country.
Therefore, a grape variety can be grown in that location that provides
perfect conditions for its production. The reds grow best in the Maipo
or Colchaqua valleys and the whites in Casablanca valley.
At the end of the 80's decade, Colchagua Valley's producers united
with the Chilean wine export boom, installing the state of the art
technology required for the production of World class wines, hence
beginning the trading and direct export of its wines to the most demanding
international markets. In the 90s, Chilean wines definitively consolidated
their presence on the international market, with excellent results
and an earned prestige. Currently, Chilean wines are exported to 90
countries in 5 continents, enjoying a well-deserved prestige.
Currently, the Colchagua Valley is the leading zone for the production
of fine wines in Chile, and that with the most promising future on
an international scale.
In this tour you will visit the Rapel Valley, which includes the Colchagua
and Cachapoal valleys, is a region known for its "huasos",
Chilean cowboys. Most of its grape-growing production goes into making
red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère,
Malbec, and others. In the month of March there is a typical grape-harvest
and wine-making festival with regional wine tasting and various activities
in the Santa Cruz Plaza. We invite you to enjoy a fine wine tour visiting
and tasting in the most famous Chilean wineries. |
| Day 1 SANTIAGO
- COLCHAGUA VALLEY - SANTA CRUZ |
| Early morning
pick up from your hotel to drive towards Santa Cruz (2 hours trip).
Welcome reception in the Hotel Santa Cruz in the heart of the Colchagua
Valley. Accommodation in this new and modern Hotel; welcome drink.
Visit to the Colchagua Museum "Cardoen Fundation". Lunch
in the hotel. In the afternoon visit to the Historical Museum "Casas
del Huique". Before dinner, we'll have a briefing of the tour
and following day, and afterwards dinner in the nice restaurant at
the hotel. Overnight. (L, D) |
| Day 2 COLCHAGUA
VALLEY - SANTIAGO |
| Breakfast.
During the day we will visit two well selected wineries in the Colchagua
area. We will visit any of these: Bisquertt, Casa Lapostolle, Santa
Laura, Santa Rita or others. In all wineries the winemaker or owner
will be part of your visit; all visits include professional wine tasting.
Lunch in route. In the afternoon we leave the valley to return to
Santiago. Arrival to your hotel. (B,L) |
| Season: All
year round |
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Based on 2 people
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US$ 440
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Based on 3 people
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US$ 360
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Based on 4 to 5 people
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US$ 330
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Based on 6 to 8 people
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US$ 290
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Single supplement
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US$ 60
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| Valid
until March 2005 |
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INCLUDED :
- Round trip private transfer Santiago to Santa Cruz
- 1 night in Hotel Plaza Santa Cruz with breakfast, lunch and
dinner (based on menu without alcoholic drinks)
- Welcome drink in Santa Cruz.
- Bilingual speaking driver-guide and the services of wine experts
from wineries.
- All tours mentioned in the itinerary.
- Entrance fees to the Colchagua and Casas del Huique Museum in
Santa Cruz.
- Entrance fees and professional wine tasting in all wineries
visited.
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Services not mentioned in the program and extra meals or drinks
- Tips - Any kind of insurance.
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