On our 2012 visit to Chile and Argentina, we contracted in Santiago with Chilean Wine Lovers for two days of winery tours. Over two days, we toured wineries in the Casablanca and Aconcagua valleys and Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.
The owner of CWL is Mauricio. He's in the process of building a spectacular hotel overlooking Apalta in the Colchagua Valley. The hotel will have 4 rooms and eventually 2 cabins. CWL intends to deliver customized wine tours, inhouse tastings, and gourmet meals.
The owner of CWL is Mauricio. He's in the process of building a spectacular hotel overlooking Apalta in the Colchagua Valley. The hotel will have 4 rooms and eventually 2 cabins. CWL intends to deliver customized wine tours, inhouse tastings, and gourmet meals.
Mauricio and his driver, Claudio, pick us at seven. Five very special hours later they deposit us at our hotel at midnight. First stop is the Mauricio's man-made waterfall.
The hotel is a long way from opening. The kitchen and common space are completed but the hotel rooms have no windows or bathrooms and the swimming pool and deck haven't been started. The steep road to this hillside perch is still eroding dirt.
This evening he treats us to a magical evening of fine dining and even better wines. Mauricio prepares a magnificent meal with a first course of ceviche and main of southern cold water hake and sautéed potatoes.
He has organized the evening so that Carol can watch the food preparation. Claudio and Ricardo assist. Ricardo is a young winemaker who also works for CWL.
The symbol of the hotel is shown with the moon in the background. The hotel's name is d'Vino.
Dining, drinking and laughing fill in the rest of the evening. We open a few special bottles. At one point Mauricio pulls out ten bottles encased in dust. CJ has his choice. His special selection is shown below. It's an older Errazuriz Syrah.
The evening ends with the five of us around the table swapping stories and a lot of laughing.
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