Searching for wine in Antigua, Guatemala

During my recent trip to Antigua, Guatemala I was doing some research on wines when I happened to discover a website for Guatemala’s first winery, Chateau DeFay. We just had to visit and so we did. We followed the directions on their website. Upon arriving in Santa Maria de Jesus we discovered that the road to Palin was badly damaged by tropical storm, Agatha. Before hearing this warning we had seen a painted sign on a rock Chateau DeFay 6km – so we thought what’s the problem it is only 6km away on ripio (gravel road) and we have a 4X4. So off we went – after a slow drive where we saw more painted signs at 5km, 3km etc. and finally we arrived at the entrance to Chateau DeFay.

Sign Post to Chateau DeFay

Enroute to Chateau DeFay © Spaswinefood

We received a wonderful welcome by the owner, Jacques Defay and were treated to an informative wine tasting. We were pleased to see and hear about the progress of a young winery. As you may have guessed establishing a winery in Guatemala is commendable given all the unique challenges. Chateau DeFay has a pleasant restaurant where we enjoyed lunch. After the drive from Antigua we were most happy to be able to have lunch in such an awesome setting. If you get the chance it is worth a visit.

Chateau DeFay

Entance to Chateau DeFay © Spaswinefood

Chateau DeFay © Spaswinefood

Tasting Room at Chateau DeFay © Spaswinefood

If you are not ready to give Guatemala’s first winery a try then you should know that you get good imported wine in Guatemala. Chilean wines makeup 60% of wines sales, with Argentinean and Californian wines being the next most popular wines, according to 2009 statistics. The same source notes that 45% of sales are at Supermarkets, 30% at restaurants, 15% at liquor distributors and 10% at wine stores.

Calle del Arco, Antigua

Calle del Arco, Antigua © Spaswinefood

One of the best places to get good wine in Guatemala is Antigua. In Antigua, you might want to start on Calle del Arco (5 Avenida Norte) where there are two wines shops, Almacen Troccoli and Tobacos y Vinos. Almacen Troccoli, which use to be a paint shop, later a paint shop and liquor store combo is now offering a good selection of liquor and wine. The other shop selling wine is Tobacos y Vinos. Sangre also on Calle del Arco is a restaurant offering wine tastings. In addition, throughout Antigua other than dropping by La Bodega supermarket there are a number of specialty shops (such Aylin on 6a Avenida) and many restaurants offering a good selection of wines. Two online magazines (Revue and QuePasa)   provide further suggestions.

Calle del Arco Wine Shops

Almacen Troccoli, Antigua © Spaswinefood

Tabacos y Vinos, Antigua © Spaswinefood

Sharon
Antigua, Guatemala
August 2010
© Spaswinefood

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