Valle de Colchagua

Viña Montes

Icon wines

With two days, one night and 790 km separating us from Santiago we had to make up some ground. We agreed that a stop in Santa Cruz would put us within a comfortable distance of the capital and that a tour of Montes Vineyard would give us the opportunity to sample some fine wine in the Colchagua Valley region.

Tasting

We visited the production facilities and learned about some of the unique techniques used at Montes before heading down to the cellar for everyone´s favorite part. At Montes, they play Canto Gregoriano chants for the icon wines as they mature in the French fine grain Allier oak barrels. The price difference for a wine that has listened to the chants versus one that hasn´t is a little more than $100.   

Award winning grapes

Montes Apalta winery has the capacity to hold 2,300,000 litres of wine but they still commit to preserving nature on the upper hillsides. It was so hot during our visit, that we were relieved to only be outdoors long enough for a trip to the rooftop and a panoramic view of the sprawling vineyard and the scenic slopes that surround them.     

Búho al atardecer

Salto del Lajas

We cleared out of Santa Cruz early to return the rental car and make some final rounds in Santiago. We selected a dirt cheap hostel in the Brazil barrio to serve as a staging area for Jeremy to make his return trip and for us to ponder our next move.

I should mention that we did stumble across some good Chilean brews in the end. The Crater Porter Ale topped the list of a handful and Kross 5 wasn´t bad either.