spaswinefood: Colchagua Valley cuisine and viñas

Upon crossing into Chile at Arica, it was obvious that we were in a wine-rich country. Wine is a part of everyday life – the young couple camping at Pta. Camarones in Cuya immediately offered us a drink but, not before pouring some wine on the ground to toast their Chilean ancestors. This wonderful wine sampling continued through Chile. Needless to say, wherever there is good wine so is there also good food. The following covers the wine and cuisine we enjoyed during our three-day visit to the Colchagua Valley. The Colchagua Valley is located 80 miles south west of Santiago; it is one of Chile's best known wine regions. It is especially known for its Cabernet, Carménere, Syrah and Malbec. The Colchagua Valley Appellation zone is within the Rapel Valley, which is within the larger Central Valley wine region of Chile.

We stayed at a small boutique Hotel Entre Viñas for three nights. It is a converted old hacienda, dating from the late 1800’s. The breakfasts were fantastic. They also accepted Ewok and Amadeus (our pets). Many thanks for their wonderful hospitality!

Breakfast, Hotel Entre Viñas © Spaswinefood

Hotel Entre Viñas © Spaswinefood

Viñas de Colchagua has a tourist office in Santa Cruz, which provided us with useful hotel and winery information. During our stay we visited five wineries near Santa Cruz - Viu Manet Viña, Viña Bisquertt, Viña Las Niñas, Casa Lapostelle and Viña Mont Gras.

We visited first Viu Manent Viña. We had lunch in their restaurant. Their wines are good, but the Malbec is their prize. We especially liked the “Secreto” blend. It is 85% Malbec and 15% a secreto. It is quite good.

Viu Manent Viña entrance to tasting room and restaurant © Spaswinefood

Lunch, Viu Manent Viña © Spaswinefood

Of course, wine with lunch at Viu Manent Viña © Spaswinefood

Tasting the Malbec, Viu Manent Viña © Spaswinefood

a “secreto” blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménere, and Malbec ?? © Spaswinefood

Over the next two days (November 29-30, 2009) we visit several other wineries. The Viña Mont Gras staff recommended that we take lunch at Vina Bisquertt. Viña Bisquertt has a fabulous cook who cooked a great five-course birthday lunch for our friends Gary and Karla who just happened to be celebrating their birthdays.

Viña Bisquertt, Santa Cruz, Chile © Spaswinefood

Viña Bisquertt, Santa Cruz, Chile © Spaswinefood

Main Course for Karla, Gary and John .. but the chief did a wonderful vegetarian for Sharon © Spaswinefood

We enjoyed wine tasting and picnic lunch at Viña Las Niñas. Viña Las Niñas has a wonderful history. Eight French women from the Dauré family founded it in 1996.


Picnic Lunch, Viña Las Niñas © Spaswinefood

Next, we visited the beautiful Casa Lapostolle Viña where we enjoyed the wine tasting.

Casa Lapostolle Viña © Spaswinefood

Then onto Viña Montes.

Viña Montes © Spaswinefood

Wine Tasting, Viña Montes © Spaswinefood

Viña Montes © Spaswinefood

Viña Montes La Finca De Apalta is a beautiful winery that promotes eco-friendly practices.

One of our favorite Colchagua Valley wineries is a relatively new viña called Viña MontGras. While we loved all of their wines we especially liked their Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend. We bought a bottle of each of their wines (Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend, Malbec, Carménere, and Cabernet Sauvignon).

After visiting the Colchagua Valley we journeyed south to the Lake District and crossed into Argentina to spend Christmas and New Years in the Bariloche area. A few days wine tasting Chilean wines were just not enough. We plan to return to the wine regions of Chile.

Sharon and Jack,

Tasting Memories from the Las Américas Trip

Note: After our visit to the Colchagua Valley Chile suffered a terrible earthquake in February, 2010. When we did revisit the area in March 2010 many of the wineries were closed for repairs. Best wishes to all in the Colchagua Valley!

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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Colchagua Valley cuisine and viñas

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