Postales del Plata Sample Itineraries
Deluxe Santiago, Casablanca and Colchagua Valleys
5 Days / 4 Nights A Special Wine Country Adventure
Travel Planning Details >
< Back to Chile Wine Tours
5 Days / 4 Nights A Special Wine Country Adventure
Travel Planning Details >
< Back to Chile Wine Tours
Arrival Day
(Note: International flights usually arrive in Santiago in the morning. This itinerary assumes you are arriving from Mendoza, Argentina.)
After a brief flight on a full size jet over the stunning Andes Mountains you will arrive to the ultra modern airport of Santiago. Your driver and your multilingual host will be waiting to take you to Santiago's Ritz Carlton, the only Ritz in South America. Depending on your flight schedules and desires you can tour Santiago today, or on your departure day.
In either case, your city tour will visit the Moneda Palace, the seat of the government, the Plaza de Armas, and the historic district around the Cathedral. Stroll the wide, bustling pedestrian 'paseos' and wander the colorful Mercado Central, brought piece by piece from France more than 150 years ago. You will ascend San Cristobal hill, to pay respects to the statue of the Virgin--a gift from France-as she spreads her arms over the 5.5 million inhabitants living in the plains below you. From here the snow-capped Andes guard the city's eastern flank.
Tonight dinner is on your own. May we suggest that you enjoy the award-winning Adra restaurant at the Ritz, or choose another excellent one from our provided list. Overnight at the Ritz.
Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel, your private driver and host will pick you up for your day of winery touring. Your destination today is the Casablanca Valley. This is one of Chile's Central Valleys, located midway between the Andes and the Pacific. In this case the just-completed freeway from Santiago to the coastal Riviera of Vina del Mar, takes you quickly into the heart of this verdant, rapidly developing region. While many grape varietals are produced here, the terroir is especially suited for Chardonnay.
Your exact schedule will depend on your desires, in conjunction with the suggestions of your host. You should plan to visit 2 wineries this morning, each very different in design, concept, and final product. Some possibilities are:
-Mateti---this new, ultra modern winery is built with the latest in style and technology, deep in the heart of a private small valley. Perched high on a hilltop, the entire process uses gravity, not mechanical pumps, to ensure gentle handling of the grapes at all stages.
-William Cole Wineyards---is a product of an U.S. citizen of the same name, who recently moved to Chile to build his California-style, modern southwestern adobe winery here. Expect high quality wines crafted with the latest in USA technology.
-Indomita---produces mid-range and upper range wines in their dramatic, abstract castle-inspired winery built on a hill overlooking the entire valley. Here you will also find a marvelous bistro with a matching view
Lunch (on your own, but your host will take you to the location you choose) can be taken at one of several locations. Indomita's bistro is an excellent choice as well as the tiny, upscale restaurant belonging to the Morande Winery. Horse lovers may prefer the stables of Puro Caballo. In addition to hearty 'asados' (barbeques) you can inspect the Chilean horse, and appreciate the 'gaucho' lifestyle.
After lunch you will travel the smaller country roads south through the pastoral landscapes of farms and lakes en route to the Colchagua Valley, and your superb accommodations at Hotel Vina la Playa. This historic-looking estancia is actually a modern construction on the grounds of the Sutil Winery. It artfully combines yesterday's style with today's conveniences. Each room shares a communal balcony overlooking a private, riverside park and gardens. Your evening is free to choose from the many amenities here.massage, tennis, swimming, billiards, horseback riding, and more.
Dinner on your own at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Vina La Playa.
Day 3
You awake today in the oldest, principal and most developed wine producing valley of Chile. After breakfast at the hotel you will set off to visit the fine wineries which produce quality vintages mostly for export, such as Viu Manet, Bisquert, and Sutil. Each winery has its own unique style and history, while employing the best of modern technology for the winemaking process. Plan to visit two wineries today, each complete with a tasting and tour.
The sleepy country town of San Fernando has experienced a renaissance based on the many new boutique wineries. This is a delightful place to stroll and explore on your own, with a true feeling of the relaxed pace of Chilean country life. Now its charming central plaza includes high quality handicrafts, locally made ice creams and wonderful local cafes. Try dining outside under the leafy arbor of plaza-side "Club Social" or the excellent restaurant at the Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza. Exploring here provides time for an optional visit to a most unique attraction, the Cardoen Museum. A brainchild of one of Chile's wealthiest citizens, the museum features an impressive, world-class collection of everything from Wisconsin fossils, to pre-Columbian art, to Chile's original constitution, to a fully restored train station with train.
Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel Vina La Playa.
Day 4
After breakfast your driver will take you back through the peaceful countryside to another spectacular historic winery turned elite boutique hotel. Casa Real is the impressive manor home of the vast Santa Rita vineyards. Enter the walled private garden (90 acres), cross the baronial flagstones of the central courtyard, ascend the curved staircases and enter a bygone era of 20 foot ceilings and colonial grace. Enjoy the grounds, the house's private chapel, the pools and the atmosphere of another epoch. With only a few guest rooms, you will feel like a personal guest of the owners who will attend to you.
This afternoon you may tour the impressive operations of the Santa Rita winery, makers of both fine wines and bulk varieties. Lunch here is at the winery's award wining restaurant, Dona Paula.
Dinner (on your own) in the magnificent dining rooms at Casa Real. Overnight at Casa Real.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel, then the day depends largely on your flight schedule and your own desires. You can choose to spend the morning lingering in your exclusive surroundings. If you did not have time for a city tour upon arrival, you can do that today. Whatever activities you and your host decide on, you will be find yourself finally back at the Santiago airport in time for your continuing flights on to your next adventure.
After a brief flight on a full size jet over the stunning Andes Mountains you will arrive to the ultra modern airport of Santiago. Your driver and your multilingual host will be waiting to take you to Santiago's Ritz Carlton, the only Ritz in South America. Depending on your flight schedules and desires you can tour Santiago today, or on your departure day.
In either case, your city tour will visit the Moneda Palace, the seat of the government, the Plaza de Armas, and the historic district around the Cathedral. Stroll the wide, bustling pedestrian 'paseos' and wander the colorful Mercado Central, brought piece by piece from France more than 150 years ago. You will ascend San Cristobal hill, to pay respects to the statue of the Virgin--a gift from France-as she spreads her arms over the 5.5 million inhabitants living in the plains below you. From here the snow-capped Andes guard the city's eastern flank.
Tonight dinner is on your own. May we suggest that you enjoy the award-winning Adra restaurant at the Ritz, or choose another excellent one from our provided list. Overnight at the Ritz.
Day 2
Your exact schedule will depend on your desires, in conjunction with the suggestions of your host. You should plan to visit 2 wineries this morning, each very different in design, concept, and final product. Some possibilities are:
-Mateti---this new, ultra modern winery is built with the latest in style and technology, deep in the heart of a private small valley. Perched high on a hilltop, the entire process uses gravity, not mechanical pumps, to ensure gentle handling of the grapes at all stages.
-William Cole Wineyards---is a product of an U.S. citizen of the same name, who recently moved to Chile to build his California-style, modern southwestern adobe winery here. Expect high quality wines crafted with the latest in USA technology.
-Indomita---produces mid-range and upper range wines in their dramatic, abstract castle-inspired winery built on a hill overlooking the entire valley. Here you will also find a marvelous bistro with a matching view
Lunch (on your own, but your host will take you to the location you choose) can be taken at one of several locations. Indomita's bistro is an excellent choice as well as the tiny, upscale restaurant belonging to the Morande Winery. Horse lovers may prefer the stables of Puro Caballo. In addition to hearty 'asados' (barbeques) you can inspect the Chilean horse, and appreciate the 'gaucho' lifestyle.
After lunch you will travel the smaller country roads south through the pastoral landscapes of farms and lakes en route to the Colchagua Valley, and your superb accommodations at Hotel Vina la Playa. This historic-looking estancia is actually a modern construction on the grounds of the Sutil Winery. It artfully combines yesterday's style with today's conveniences. Each room shares a communal balcony overlooking a private, riverside park and gardens. Your evening is free to choose from the many amenities here.massage, tennis, swimming, billiards, horseback riding, and more.
Dinner on your own at the hotel. Overnight at Hotel Vina La Playa.
Day 3
The sleepy country town of San Fernando has experienced a renaissance based on the many new boutique wineries. This is a delightful place to stroll and explore on your own, with a true feeling of the relaxed pace of Chilean country life. Now its charming central plaza includes high quality handicrafts, locally made ice creams and wonderful local cafes. Try dining outside under the leafy arbor of plaza-side "Club Social" or the excellent restaurant at the Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza. Exploring here provides time for an optional visit to a most unique attraction, the Cardoen Museum. A brainchild of one of Chile's wealthiest citizens, the museum features an impressive, world-class collection of everything from Wisconsin fossils, to pre-Columbian art, to Chile's original constitution, to a fully restored train station with train.
Dinner on your own. Overnight at Hotel Vina La Playa.
Day 4
This afternoon you may tour the impressive operations of the Santa Rita winery, makers of both fine wines and bulk varieties. Lunch here is at the winery's award wining restaurant, Dona Paula.
Dinner (on your own) in the magnificent dining rooms at Casa Real. Overnight at Casa Real.
Day 5
Other activities we can arrange:
Cordoba Wing-Shooting >
Golden Dorado Fishing in Corrientes >
Patagonia Fly Fishing >
Salta, Cafayate Wine Region, Northwest Argentina >
Ask us about our city tours in Buenos Aires and Santiago.
Cordoba Wing-Shooting >
Golden Dorado Fishing in Corrientes >
Patagonia Fly Fishing >
Salta, Cafayate Wine Region, Northwest Argentina >
Ask us about our city tours in Buenos Aires and Santiago.
Expenses
The approximate cost for this deluxe package, with a private wine expert host, or your customized version of it, is $1,635 per person based on double occupancy. This itinerary can be customized with less expensive options, or with more deluxe options. Actual prices will be quoted based on the options you choose. These are SAMPLE ITINERARIES and SAMPLE PRICES only.
Of course you can choose to continue your wine and adventure tour. We arrange a variety of activities from fly-fishing for trout, to horseback riding, whitewater rafting, wing-shooting, and skiing (mid-June to early October).
Please Note : Postales del Plata will make every effort to take you to visit the wineries shown in your itinerary, however, these are all working wineries that change or close visiting hours based on actual seasonal conditions. Often we are not notified of these closures until a day or two before they happen. If we are unable to take you to a winery or other location on your itinerary, we will rebook you to another winery or location that is appropriate.
Travel Planning Details >
