BY RODRIGO BARRA REYES

In central Chile, between the Andes Mountains and

the Pacic Ocean, extends the Colchagua Valley, an
area where the best Chilean wineries are located.
Its a paradise for those seeking a heady experience
around the cultivation of the grape

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chile

WORKERS PICKING GRAPES

colchagua valley


 
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vine plants, most of which came
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aristocratic castles, but also with
Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmnre,
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exporting wine business began
timidly in the early 20th century and
turned the area into one of the most
prestigious wine regions, not only in
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2005, Colchagua Valley was named as
the Best Wine Region of the World
by Wine Enthusiast
Its January when I arrive,
summer in Chile, and the sky over
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seasons are marked clearly during
the year, with cool and rainy winters,

 

  
The valleys surrounded by mountain
ranges to the north and south and
the winds coming down from the
Andes face those arriving from the
sea, which makes for a formidable

 
 

he Colchagua Valley is 130km from

Santiago, a terroir that extends from the
foothills of the majestic Andes Mountains
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The area is crossed by the waters of the
Tinguiririca River, along whose course lie
small, bucolic towns such as San Fernando,
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Colchagua (the once southern boundary
of the mighty Inca empire) and wine
pairing have a long-standing reputation, as
the Spanish conquerors who settled in the
area during the 16th   
  
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During the 19th century, the Colchagua Valley became the residence

 


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made their fortune in the nitrate business in northern Chile and
64 Sawubona May 2015

Central to Colchagua Valley is

Santa Cruz a small town of 30 000
inhabitants which has developed


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building of 116 rooms reminiscent
of the old houses of the Chilean
 
  


the town square and, depending on
what youre after, travellers can enjoy
MONTES, COLCHAGUA VALLEY

  
   
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museum which exhibits indigenous
artifacts, with a special section
dedicated to the memorable rescue in 2010 of 33 miners from the San
'

If, like me, youre a lover of museums, then Museum of Crafts
in Lolol village and the amazing Museo Del Automovil, with over
100 car models in the Via Santa Cruz (both about a 20-minute

 
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is surprising not only because of the wide choice of winery tours,
restaurant and wine sales, but also because there exists a replica of
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along with a collection of more than 50 meteorites, telescopes allow
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area (15 minutes from Santa Cruz) and on the slopes of a

 
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winery Clos Apalta, a building 25m underground with six

For use by louiseg@nationalpositions.com only. Distribution prohibited.

chile
LAPOSTOLLE RESIDENCE
BOUTIQUE HOTEL

levels. The winery was built

specially for the production of the
famous Clos Apalta, Lapostolles
 

 
most awarded at international
level (elected the No 1 Wine in
the World by Wine Spectator
in 2008). The place is akin to


   
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a rocky hill with French oak barrels. Down in the shadows is the
personal cellar of one of the owners of the place, Alexandra Marnier
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the famous Grand Marnier liqueur.
A few metres beyond the hold, another little treasure is located.
Its Lapostolle Residence, a boutique hotel made up of four houses.
This unique site, which has been named several times as the best

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Lapostolle wines.

DOWN IN THE SHADOWS IS THE PERSONAL CELLAR OF ONE OF

THE OWNERS OF THE PLACE, ALEXANDRA MARNIER LAPOSTOLLE,
GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER OF ALEXANDRE MARNIER, CREATOR
OF THE FAMOUS GRAND MARNIER LIQUEUR.

 
 



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been established. One of the most recent, 6km from Santa Cruz, is
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mixes urban convenience with rural relaxation.
 

  
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remodelled into whats now a boutique hotel with just 13 rooms,
66 Sawubona May 2015

 
 
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The hallmark of this vineyard has to do with its equestrian
spirit. As you partake in the delectable cuisine, youll have
 

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CHA
ARLIE BRAVO #396-14G

For use by louiseg@nationalpositions.com only. Distribution prohibited.

INVEST IN PEOPLE
COMMITTED TO GROWTH.

While we strive to be the best, not necessarily the biggest,

we understand that growth enables our business. So were
always alert for new opportunities in our highly competitive
world, yet never lose focus on enhancing the value of our
portfolio and creating new world-class developments.
Weve invested in people who share our vision and our
commitment. Shouldnt you invest in them too?

Were not landlords. Were people.

chile

Silva, one of the best polo teams in the

country. If youre lucky, you can catch
them in action.
If youre up to a cooking class and
learning from the best, then the
Food & Wine Studio is worth a visit.
Pilar Rodrguez is a chef trained in
the famous Cordon Bleu culinary
programme in Paris and, for a decade,
has been charged with visitors coming
to her little gourmet haunt within the
Via Viu Manet. The simple white
furniture becomes your learning
ground for a few hours as you discover
some of the signature dishes of Chilean
cuisine. The wine is always the main
protagonist, Pilar remarks.
Another vineyard not to be missed is
Montes, one of the most prestigious in
the country. Its large building, designed
using Feng Shui principles, gives it
an air of mystique and relaxation.
The greatest impact is on the lowest
level, where hundreds of barrels rest
under the watchful eyes of angels (the
symbol representing the vineyard on
their bottles) and Gregorian chants
that continue 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year. Entering the cellar feels both
overwhelming and mystical. I feel
more as if Im inside a church than in a
wine cellar. I taste the M and Folly,
probably two of the best red wines
made in Chile.
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building is the Bistr Alfredo, where
you can eat lamb, pasta or king crab
while relishing the unforgettable
view of the valley. For those who want
something more relaxed, the vineyard
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gardens: an experience accompanied
by a good wine, cheese and baguette.

GETTING THERE
In addition to travelling
by road from Santiago,
another attractive way
to get there is on the
Colchagua Valley Train. It
departs from the Central
Station in Santiago
designed by the famous
Gustav Eiffel. On board
theres Chilean cuisine,
folk music and winetasting. The train travels
once a month.
There are also more
daring options to get
to Colchagua. One is
offered by the company
68 Sawubona May 2015

PILAR RODRGUEZ STUDIO

VIA MONTES CELLAR

Santiago FBO, an air

charter service which
allows wine-lovers to
y above the extensive
plantations. The offer
includes the option of
landing in one of the
vineyards, lunch on the
property and then a
continuation of the ight.
Rates start at R24 372
using the AW Augusta
119 Koala seven-seater.

ESSENTIAL INFO
Cava Colchagua Hotel,
Barreales s/n, Santa
Cruz (+56-9 8963 9862;

www.cavacolchagua.cl)
Santiago FBO
(+56-2 2674 4000;
www.santiagofbo.cl)
Restaurant & Polo Via
Casa Silva, Hijuelas norte
s/n (+56-9 6847 5786;
www.casasilva.cl)
Via Lapostolle &
Residence, Ruta I-50,
Camino San Fernando
a Pichilemu. Km 36,
Cunaquito, Santa Cruz
(+56-72 295 3350;
www.lapostolle.com)
Noi Blend Hotel, Hijuela
La Via s/n, Palmilla
(+56-2 2432 6800;

www.noihotels.com)
Colchagua Camp, El
Arrayn s/n, Palmilla
(+56-9 9812 0068;
www.colchaguacamp.cl)
Colchagua Valley Train
(www.trencentral.cl)
Pilar Rodrguez Studio
(+56-9 6899 0441;
www.pilarrodriguez.cl)
Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel,
Plaza de Armas 286,
Santa Cruz (+56-72
220 9600; www.
hotelsantacruzplaza.cl)
Via Montes & Bistr
Alfredo, Parcela
15, Millahue de

Apalta, Santa Cruz

(+56-2 2248 4805;
www.monteswines.com)
Colchagua
Museum (www.
museodecolchagua.cl)
Hacienda Los Lingues,
Panamericana Sur, Km
124 (+56-72 297 7080;
www.loslingues.com)
TOURS & OUTDOORS
Natural Wine Tours
(+56-9 8790 5666;
www.naturalwinetours.cl)