Day 1 - Friday, February 16:
Late evening departure from Toronto International Airport on Air Canada’s direct flight to Santiago, Chile.
Day 2 - Saturday, February 17:
We arrive in Santiago around 12:30PM. We’ll be met on arrival by our Chilean Tour Leader who will accompany us, throughout our coach journey to the Colchagua Valley, which is located in the heart of the Chilean wine country. We will have a late afternoon check-in to our boutique hotel, the excellent Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza for the next three nights. Colchagua means “the place of small lakes,” and the valley that bears this name has a wealth of culture and traditions. Once part of the Incan Empire, it later became a popular spot among Chile’s elite. We will have free time to settle in before our welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Sunday, February 18:
Over the next two days, we will explore the wine, food and culture around the historic city of Santa Cruz and the Colchagua Valley. We will have visits and tastings with a range of producers, with special visits curated by Tony. Our tour includes visits to the exceptional wineries of Montes, Mont Gras, and Lapostelle Clos Apalta, all known for their excellent wines. We also plan to visit the Colchagua Museum, with its impressive archeological collection and pavilions on Chilean history one day.
Day 4 - Monday, February 19:
Over the next two days, we will explore the wine, food and culture around the historic city of Santa Cruz and the Colchagua Valley. We will have visits and tastings with a range of producers, with special visits curated by Tony. Our tour includes visits to the exceptional wineries of Montes, Mont Gras, and Lapostelle Clos Apalta, all known for their excellent wines. We also plan to visit the Colchagua Museum, with its impressive archeological collection and pavilions on Chilean history one day.
Day 5 - Tuesday, February 20:
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, we will make our way back to Santiago. We plan to stop along the way at Torres Winery for a guided tasting and lunch. Afterwards we will depart for our boutique hotel-Hotel Cumbres Lastarria, located in a dynamic part of Santiago. This will be our home for the next three nights.
Day 6 - Wednesday, February 21:
Over the next two days, we will have the chance to explore the excitement of Santiago, including its markets, history and restaurants. In Santiago – home to over six million people - ancient traditions coexist with 21st century life in each neighborhood. We will have some guided explorations, and free time to explore on your own. We also plan to visit with a winery known by Tony near Santiago, and will cap it off with a wonderful dinner at one of the top restaurants in Latin America!
Day 7 - Thursday, February 22:
Over the next two days, we will have the chance to explore the excitement of Santiago, including its markets, history and restaurants. In Santiago – home to over six million people - ancient traditions coexist with 21st century life in each neighborhood. We will have some guided explorations, and free time to explore on your own. We also plan to visit with a winery known by Tony near Santiago, and will cap it off with a wonderful dinner at one of the top restaurants in Latin America!
Day 8 - Friday, February 23:
This morning we will make our way from Santiago – with short flight crossing the awesome Andes – for the renowned wine region of Mendoza, Argentina. Under the leadership of visionary vintners, Mendoza has become the South American home of the Malbec grape as well as excellent producers of varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. We will check into the Park Hyatt Mendoza, a historic hotel and our home for the next three nights.
Day 9 - Saturday, February 24:
Over the next two days, we will explore the wine, food and culture around this exciting region, accompanied by our Argentinian guide. We will enjoy more visits and tastings with a range of producers, with plans to visit the Bodega complex at Clos de Los Siete (where 4 bodegas contribute a part of the production from each to make and blend the shared wine “Clos de los Siete”. The rest goes into the wines of their own respective ranges: Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes and Bodega Rolland). We also plan to visit Bodega Catena Zapata along with other wineries, and have the chance for you to explore Mendoza on your own free time.
Day 10 - Sunday, February 25:
Over the next two days, we will explore the wine, food and culture around this exciting region, accompanied by our Argentinian guide. We will enjoy more visits and tastings with a range of producers, with plans to visit the Bodega complex at Clos de Los Siete (where 4 bodegas contribute a part of the production from each to make and blend the shared wine “Clos de los Siete”. The rest goes into the wines of their own respective ranges: Monteviejo, Cuvelier los Andes, DiamAndes and Bodega Rolland). We also plan to visit Bodega Catena Zapata along with other wineries, and have the chance for you to explore Mendoza on your own free time.
Day 11 - Monday, February 26:
After breakfast (and 9 days of excellent food and wine) we will have a transfer to the Mendoza airport for our short flight to Santiago and our early evening departure to Toronto. We land in Toronto at approximately 5:30 AM.
