Exploring on horseback in Chile

PreviousNext Image 1 of 9

Exploring on horseback in Chile

Chile, Argentina & Uruguay

Vina Montes

Chilean grapes

Mendoza

Barrels at Salentein

Exploring the vineyards by tractor in Montes

Aconcagua

Exploring the vineyards by horseback

Chile, Argentina & Uruguay

13 - 24 February 2007, 20 February - 3 March 2007, 10 - 21 February 2008, 17 - 28 February 2008, 15 - 27 February 2009

This outstanding tour offers you the chance to visit three fascinating South American countries in one well planned trip! Chile, Argentina and Urugauay is an extremely popular tour that is a perfect excuse to escape the British winter and

All three countries have made significant advances into quality wine that has firmly established them on the world scene. Chile now rivals all major wine producing countries world wide, in terms of quality and quantity now available on the UK market. Foreign investments from Spain, France and California have contributed to this advancement in quality and international standing of Chilean wines.

Chile is 2690 miles long and only 56 miles wide at it's narrowest point and is dominated by the high peaks of the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. On our journey over the Andes we sometimes see condors flying against the peaks. The length of the country gives it an extremely varied climate. The proximity of the Andes has been a key to the success of these wines, which act as a natural barrier against phylloxera, so much so that the vineyards of Chile are amongst the few remaining pre-phylloxera vines in the world.

Argentina is the fifth largest wine producer in the world, and vines were first planted in the 16th century, but it was not until the arrival of Italian immigrants that serious wine production began. The Argentineans were slower than Chile in grasping the potential markets available to them, as the Argentine domestic market was so strong, but in the last five years have been rapidly establishing themselves as a force to be recognised within the wine industry. The most recent trend, which has been gathering speed, is the popularity of Italian grape varieties planted in Argentina, such as Barbera and Bonarda, which has been producing fruit packed, lively wines.

Our South American wine experience begins in Santiago, capital of Chile. On the first evening there is an optional dinner with the Chilean outpost of the Catalan firm, Torres. Nearby in Maipo we visit Concha y Toro for a tasting of their great Don Melchor Cabernet. Other visits include the excellent, organic Carmen.

Then in Isla de Maipo we enjoy the increasingly good wines of Tarapaca and we have an evening with a tasting tour de force round the terroirs of Chile with De Martino. Near the coast we visit rising stars Matetic in S.Antonio and Casas de Bosque in the Casablanca valley. In Isla de Maipo, we stay as guests at a remote private wine estate for 3 nights. Here you can relax by the pool, play tennis or explore the vineyards on horse back!

We drive across the Andes from Chile into Argentina. This is the way to cross the Andes with the steep climb up the precipitous Chilean side, followed by the gentle descent to Argentina in a gorge through the desert scrubland of cacti and acacia bushes between the snow-capped mountains. We may well see condors against the soaring peak of Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Andes. This year we saw three!

A 4* boutique hotel in the attractive university city of Mendoza is our base for the next 4 nights. We have a leisurely start on the first day then lunch with Catena Zapata with their extraordinary winery based on the architecture of a Mayan temple. We visit the high vineyards of Tupungato, where the mineral soil, bright sunlight and cold night air combine to give wines of vivid fruit, great balance and clarity. Our visits here are to the superb quality Bodegas Lurton and Pinot specialist Salentein (who also have a great art gallery).

The last section of the tour is based in Montevideo, the elegant and relaxed capital of Uruguay, which is attractively located on the River Plate. From here, we’ll discover the powerful Tannat grape and Uruguay’s high quality, almost European style wines. We have an evening at the beautiful estate of Juanico, with superb wines, and a leisurely, entertaining day spent with the exuberant Daniel Pisano. We visit the fascinating town of Colonia and cross the River Plate by ferry for our last night in the lively city of Buenos Aires.

A great journey of wine discovery that takes you to three South American countries, with winter sunshine, great wines and warm hospitality!