Chile : Tours : Casablanca Valley, the best whites

Although white varieties such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have been recognized world wide, local winemakers hope to one day be able to produce red wines of equally high quality in the valley. The growth of the wine industry in Casablanca has been explosive. There are approximately 25 large vineyards established in the valley today, including Indomita, Casas del Bosque, Casablanca, Veramonte, William Cole, and others. In addition to the advantages of the valley’s natural characteristics, we can add its proximity to the port cities of Valparaíso and San Antonio. Please note that the itinerary can be extended to include a visit to Pablo Neruda’s Isla Negra home or to Viña del Mar and Valparaíso.

Morning: Veramonte Vineyard
At approximately 9:30 am, the bus will pick you up at your hotel to begin the tour on route 68, destination Casablanca Valley. First, we will visit Veramonte Vineyard " Alto de Casablanca" (Upper Casablanca), whose adjoining vineyards are the most extensive in Chile with a surface area of more than 350 hectares (840 acres). This area boasts the best vine growth in Casablanca Valley. In 1990, Agustin Huneeus chose this site for Veramonte, conscious of the similarity between the microclimate and soil of this valley with that found in the wine regions of California such as the Napa and Carneros Valleys. The administrator of Veramonte Vineyards uses the latest advancements in wine technology to produce the highest quality fruit. He carefully manages the production through cultivation reduction, controlled irrigation, and experiments with different methods of pruning to maximize the ripeness of the grape. The wine production limit lies between 5 and 7 tons per hectare by cultivating high quality grapes with an intense flavor, definition, and concentration.

Midday: Viñamar Vineyard
At approximately 12:00 pm, we will get to Vinamar, a subsidary of the Southern Sun Wine Group, created for developing a new line of exceptional wines, oriented to the highest standards on the market, aspiring to become known for the complexity and originality of its products. Vinamar is in the Casablanca Valley, a place known for its vitiviniculture both in Chile and worldwide. There its name gives homage to the main virtue of this valley, its location beside the sea, and also incorporporates various centuries of a prestigious business history, characterized by its passion for excellence and the undoubted quality of its wines.
Lunch at the San Marcos Restaurant (Optional)
Undoubtedly the best way to appreciate a good wine is pairing it with the appropirate food, prepared and served in the best manner. This way, with the perfect combination of wine and food, the best characteristics of both are brought out, causing truly pleasant sensations. This is why Vina Mar is associated with one of the most emblematic restaurants in the 5th region, the San Marco Restaurant, which has created a subsidiary, also called the San Marco Restaurant, located on our site at Km 78 on the route from Santiago to Valparaiso. Here you can enjoy the delicious options on the menu, accompanied by the most appropriate Vina Mar wine.

Afternoon: Indomita Vineyard
At approximately 15:00 pm visit the Indómita Vineyard. This place is characterized for offering tourist packages, where the wine keeper takes you on a walk through the vineyard, explaining to the visitors the process of wine production, and then invites you to a tasting. The return trip to Santiago begins at about 15:45.

Included Excursions

Veramonte Vineyard
The Veramonte Vineyard Produces between 5 and 7 tons of wine per hectare by cultivating high quality grapes that bare an intense flavor, definition, and concentration. Veramonte began marketing itself in Chile in 1996, and since then it has received international acclaim for its Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Primus, an intense red wine that is a combination of Carmenére (a noble vine from Bordeaux, France that is now almost exclusively Chilean) with Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine vault was designed by Jorge Swinburn, one of the most renowned Chilean architects, and
inaugurated in 1998. It measures 7,896 sq. meters (25,898 sq. ft) and includes the latest technological advancements in terms of bottling, fermentation, and stainless steel basins. Its design also includes
facilities for the production of small lots of wine, that allow for the fermentation and aging of individual vines as well as experimental vines. Upon entering the warehouse, visitors are welcomed to this unique visitor center, similar to those in Napa Valley. Later on, we will proceed to the "Casona" (big house), an area with an enormous round building, ceilings 16 m (52 ft) high and glass walls that allow you to see into the lower level of the warehouse containing the wine cellar and steel basins.

Indómita Vineyard
The Indómita Vineyard located in the Casablanca region, highlights the
topic of viticulturism and recently in the gastronomical world, developing a sophisticated restaurant, holding the highest standards in Chilean cuisine, using a variety of ingredients and particular preparation by the chef, accompanied by the best vines from the Indómita Vineyard.

The vineyard offers five varieties of vines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and this year you will also see the appearance of Merlot. A highlighted vine is the Carmenère Pasión which recently received a gold medal in the last Cata D'Or, an event
in which the best wine tasters and growers come to judge. The restaurant is a large, beautiful house in the middle of the valley that is visible from the highway, decorated with a minimalist style, with wood, iron, and wicker, but surprises you with an entertaining kitchen, whose menu has been carefully designed by the Chef, and each plate comes accompanied by a wine recommended by a wine expert.

Viña Mar
Located in one of the best sites, Viña Mar vineyards are benefitted by their permanent exposure to the sun and light winds coming from the seashore during spring and summer evenings, granting a great wealth to its fruits and a huge potential to elaborate fine wines.
250 Has. of fine Bordeaux rootstock of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir were planted as a part of Viña Mar´s Estate, either own or under long term leases. With a density of 3.800 vine stock per hectare, vineyards are drip irrigated from water from own wells. Soils have an alluvial origin with a fine sandy texture, a low moisture retention capacity and a very poor natural fertility.
The winery is a state-of-the-art, modern winemaking facility designed to fullfill the highest quality standards.
With a total capacity of 2.500.000 lts, is one of the most modern wineries in the country. Stainless steel tanks are split for different processes and include temperature control systems. An additional 500 French and American oak barrels are also used.
The latest technology in the bottling and labelling line allows a suitable operational flexibility specially designed for small-lot winemaking.

The Program Includes

• Private transportation.
• Bilingual guide.
• Visit to vineyard.
• Wine tasting.

Notes

• This program operates from Monday through Saturday.
• 2 passengers as minimum.
• Excursions might change without any previous advice.

Rates

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Cancellation Policy

Once the reservation has been confirmed by Gotolatin, the following charges will apply for cancellations made by the passenger, according to the program departure date:

• Between 30 and 15 working days before the beginning of the Program
  Charge of 30% of the total program value per passenger.
• Between 15 and 7 working days before the beginning of the Program:
  60% of total program value per passenger.
• Between 7 and 0 working days before the beginning of the Program:
  No devolution applies.