Jaunted

Jaunted tasting tip:
Probably not the best idea to party and drink the night before an intense day of vineyard visits. If you’re still feeling the effects, water and a light snack is suggested before the drinking ensues. Also remember, just because it’s a tasting doesn’t mean you need to swallow and down every last drop. Those buckets next to you aren’t to throw away your gum, but to spit your wine.

Jaunted style tip:
Bring a sweater or light jacket with you. Wineries tend to be cold indoors and the weather in San Antonio is much cooler than Santiago because of its location close to the ocean.

We began at the Matetic (Fundo Rosario, Lagunillas, Casablanca - Phone: (56-2) 5952661 / 5940518) family wine estate founded in 1999 and They were the first winery to plant Syrah in the San Antonio Valley, a rarity due to the area’s cold temperature. Their very own winemaker and taster, Diego, led as through their most important wines from their EQ label: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and finally their most popular flagship wine, the Syrah.

We also love tastings that include a little snack (this tends to help after a long night out). Matetic also produces their very own non-pasteurized sheep milk cheese. Let us tell you, those sheep are a talented bunch. We savored every morsel, as the cheese is only available at the winery and two stores in Santiago.

Additional Matetic tidbit:
All their wines are organic, but unlike most trendy eco- companies out there, they don’t publicly advertise it. Plus, they’re working towards getting certified as biodynamic.

We capped off our Matetic experience at their organic restaurant 5 minutes away and got a sneak peak at their now transformed farmhouse turned 7-room boutique hotel. Romantic couple alert! There is a growing trend to have these mini hotels/restos right on the vineyard. For only 400/night you can stay in La Casona, with breakfast, dinner a bottle of wine and even your own bike included. If you don’t go there with someone special, we will!

Our second stop was the smaller and younger boutique winery founded in 2000, Casa Marin. It couldn’t have been better timing after an afternoon of indulgence. Why you might ask? Well besides tasting their great wine selection, this Hacienda winery also has a spa treatment center built into the mountain. No you’re not dreaming, and luckily neither were we. After tasting their Reisling, Sauvignon Gris, Gewurztraminer, Syrah vintage and award-winning Sauvignon Blanc it was time to move on to a massage. You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to appreciate this added bonus! After their Corazon Caress treatment, we sat in our bathrobe taking in the breathtaking view, Pinot Noir in hand.

It was at this moment that we thought to ourselves: Yep, life is good! Cheers to that!

Photos from the day...

Matetic Barreks

Sheep Cheese Shot

View of San Antonio Hills

Bathrobes & Booze @ Casa Marin

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· Chile Travel Stories [Jaunted]
· Shira in Chile [Jaunted]