Tuesday, December 10, 2019, Valparaíso & Winery, Chile

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Panoramic Valparaíso & Winery

We discovered Casablanca Valley’s thriving vineyards and tasted delicious, crisp vintages in a unique Chilean winery.  There have been vineyards in Casablanca Valley since 1875, but only since the 1980s has the true potential of the valley been discovered.  This was when agriculturalists realized that the soils and the conditions were similar to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in California. Distinctively, the Casablanca Valley is oriented in such a way that daily ocean breezes cool the grapes on the vine and result in intensely fruity flavors.  We visited a winery located in the valley and learned about the wine-making process. We enjoyed a tasting of a selection of wines in the cool, sweet-smelling, cask-filled cellars of Viñamar.  


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Vineyards and Cellar

The Viñamar vineyards are planted in the upper sector of the Casablanca Valley with a northeastern orientation and a slightly ascending inclination that allows continuous exposure to the sun and a moderate reception of sea breezes. Its 274 hectares have been planted with the fine French varieties Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Carmenère. The drip-irrigated vineyards were planted at a density of 3,800 plants per hectare, which allows the grapes to be manually harvested.





Roses are planted because they are more sensitive to molds and bugs than grapes.  If a rose bush starts to look puny the vintners know to take precautions.

 
 Up close to these vines.


 Sprayers to combat light freezes.


 Entry way into their building.





Cellar.


 Unknown to us what the tub is for.  Does not look like it's used anymore.




Wind machine to help combat mild freezes.

 On our way back to ship stopped to see flower clock.


 Bird of Paradise.




 Guess the nature of this store with T-shirts.
On our way this afternoon to our next port call, to be at La Serena at 8 AM.



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