Maurucio fills the time on the long drive to our first appointment at Maturana Wines with a chalkboard discussion of Chilean geological history and its influence on grape growing.
Our Sunday morning appointment is a bit of an interruption. The men are somewhere playing soccer but the women are still celebrating one of their birthdays. Children are everywhere.
Maturana Wines claim to fame is their use of clay barrels for their Grenache. They also use concrete barrels for another varietal. We're surprised to see other European varietals such as carignan in their barrels.
Following the tour we're invited to the home for tasting. It's a shock when the beautiful platter of meats, three cheeses and various crackers accompanies the tasting. There are blue, goat, and honey camenbert cheeses. We taste their Sauvignon Blanc and the MW. The MW is very special and outrageously inexpensive.
Next, Mauricio delivers a birthday gift to his friend who runs
Vinogarage. We taste another wine while there.
The meat and cheese platter had been quite filling. But now it's lunch. We're delivered to the beautiful property of
Viu Manent. The restaurant is crowed with large family groups. The grounds are gorgeous. There is a stadium course for horse competitions, a playground for children, a small man-made stream, and horse drawn carriage rides.
There is also good food and wine.
Have we had enough wine for one day? Obviously not. Next we're climbing high into the hills to visit
Ventisquero Winery. This winery has a fine line but is known for a very special Pinot Noir. It's best of show in the tasting.
Now have we had enough? But we haven't had dinner. The boys pick retrieve us from our hotel for the short ride to the selected restaurant. Mauricio has a short talk with Lenor, our wonderful hostess before our departure.
This restaurant/hotel, Vina Playa, is yet another beautiful property.
After dinner, we invite the team to help us finish the wine.
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