​Twitter- @PeterAtAvalon We then continue south to the Colchagua Region, one of the top wine making regions of Chile which includes the Apalta Valley and award-winning wines like Montes “M”, Lapostolle’s Clos Apalta and the excellent, organic Santa Emiliana. We stay at the lovely colonial-styled Plaza Hotel, in the heart of the valley.Our next stop is the Casablanca Valley. This famous valley to the west of Santiago is home to Veramonte and Indomita; other wineries well worth visiting include Quintay Ecovineyards, Villard, William Cole, Viña Mar etc.A short flight takes us to Mendoza. The heart of Argentina’s wine industry, Mendoza is a surprising contrast from Chile, just over the Andes mountains. Famous worldwide for it’s Malbec, you’ll discover a myriad other great wines as well as super hospitality and the best BBQs in South America! We taste the best that the region has to offer, as guests of Mendoza’s top winemakers. An Amazing Week in South American Wine CountryMarch 19- 26, 2017​December 3- 10, 2017 Tour Includes:7 nights Accommodation7 Breakfasts5 Lunches with fine wines6 Dinners with fine winesTransportation during tour by air-conditioned vehicleServices of bi-lingual chauffeur/wine expertAll winery visits as outlined in itineraryFrom $4195.00 per person / double occupancy           $975 single supplement Please CLICK HERE to e-mail us for a detailed itinerary and to request a reservation form South America has exciting wine and beautiful and spectacular scenery!

Visit Santiago and the country’s top wineries, then on to Mendoza, Argentina.We start in Santiago, Chile’s Capital City, full of history, culture and an amazing fish market which is the main attraction in this bustling city. Two days in the heart of Santiago gives you a chance to enjoy Chile’s cosmopolitan capital with its many fine restaurants.Just outside the city limits is the Maipo Valley, famous for major estates like Concha y Toro, Santa Rita and Undurraga – some of the oldest vineyards in Chile – plus some of the newest and most famous “Ultra-Chileans”, like Almaviva. Chile & Argentina TourWine in South America is older than you think South America has actually been making wine since the 1500’s. Back then, the wine was crap. Franciscan Monks planted Mission grapes (including País and Criolla Grande) to make wine for religious purposes. The movement of viticulture (and monks) traveled through Peru into Chile and eventually into Mendoza, Argentina. It wasn’t until the late 1800’s when plantings of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere gave South America the leg-up it needed to make some exceptional vino.

Now the South American wine industry is booming… and it’s because the region has some very unique benefits. best wine sites ukArgentina is 5th in the world’s wine production and Chile is 9th, just ahead of Portugal. best mild red wineFind out what makes South American wine unique and what you should be seeking.best port wine names South America Wine Regionspictures of wine from italy 12×16 printed map of Chile by Wine Follybest place to buy wine in nice france 12×16 printed map of Argentina by Wine Follybest selling wine 2014

South America’s largest wine growing country is famous for Malbec, but they do much more than just that! Cabernet Sauvignon grows very well in the high-and-dry climate of Mendoza along with their champion white wine, Torrontes. Argentina’s newer regions include Patagonia, which creates exceptional Pinot Noir. For now the primary export market is Malbec, but their Cabernets easily compete with Napa. Chile became the major wine producer for South America starting in the late 1600’s after a major earthquake destroyed Peru’s growing industry. The location of Chile’s major wine region and capital are typical of a cool climate. The valleys along the coast collect cool air as it travels up the Andes. Chile produces peppery and earthy Cabernet Sauvignon in a style very similar to Bordeaux. The country champions a red variety called Carmenere, which has flavors similar to Cabernet Franc. Uruguay is famous for Tannat. A rigorous variety, Tannat has tannin, moderate-to-high alcohol and grit.

While the wines are well-loved in South America, especially for barbeque, not many are exported to the US. Brazil has a rapidly growing wine industry. It seems strange that wine would grow well along with coffee and chocolate, but it can and does. Most of the fine wine comes from the southern part of Brazil, in Serra Gaúcha. They specialize in Chardonnay and Merlot. The wines are herbaceous and more similar to Italian wines than New World-styled wines.Beach lovers, history lovers, wine lovers, art lovers—we’ve got something for lovers of any variety on this top list of the eight best hotels in South America. We asked our readers to vote on the ultimate South American hotel experience, and the results are in! Explore our top eight luxury hotels in South America, and experience them yourself before, after, or during your DuVine Cycling tour! Hotelier Alexander Vik had a dream to create a world-class vineyard in South America. After searching for two years, he purchased over 10,000 acres in Chile, and Viña Vik was born.

This exclusive luxury vineyard retreat is perched atop a hill overlooking the Millahue Valley and lake. Its 22 suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows for incredible views of the valley, lake, and vineyards below, and the Andes in the distance. The rooms are artfully decorated with works of art and sleek, modern décor. Visit the wine spa for a grape-infused treatment, take a dip in the outdoor pool extending over the valleys and lake below, take a tour of the winery, or experience a private wine tasting of Vik’s own wines. The hotel’s restaurant provides a range of gastronomic meals, from barbeques to four-course high culinary experiences, all paired with Vik wine and included in the cost of your stay. Stay at Viña Vik on your DuVine Chile Vineyards Bike Tour Nestled in the dunes along the beach, Bahia Vik Jose Ignacio has spectacular views of the ocean. Created by hotelier and art collectors Alexander and Carrie Vik, Bahia Vik has a focus on art, architecture, and design.

Each room is decorated with murals by various South American artists. The hotel is eco-friendly, and bikes are available to borrow for a spin around the former fishing village turned hip summer destination of Jose Ignacio. Cool off in the outdoor pool, relax at the spa and wellness center, enjoy a delectable meal at La Susana restaurant, or take in the stunning Uruguayan sunsets from the property’s private beach. Guests can book a suite in the main building or one of Bahia Vik’s private bungalows on the beach. Stay at Bahia Vik Jose Ignacio before or after DuVine’s Uruguay Bike Tour Photo by Hugo Pardo Kuklinski This exclusive resort was built as a summer residence and studio by renowned local artist Paez Vilaro, friend of Picasso and Dali. The home was a labor of love and took Vilaro 36 years to complete. Built in a Mediterranean style, the building itself is work of art—a living sculpture on the Punta Ballena peninsula that overlooks the sparkling sea. Its 72 apartments are each unique, with anywhere from one to four rooms and private terraces.

The hotel is just a ten-minute drive from Punta del Este’s city center. Relax at the pool or spa, visit the hotel’s art museum featuring works form its former owner and other famous artists, or enjoy a meal at the gastronomic restaurant on the terrace as you take in one of Punta del Este’s famous sunsets. Visit Casapueblo on DuVine’s Uruguay Bike Tour The Vines of Mendoza offers laid back luxury in world-famous Uco Valley at the foothills of the Andes Mountains– a top choice for Argentina bike tours. With over 1500 acres of grapes, the Vines is host to 130 private vineyard owners and is the highest quality winemaking enterprise in the region. Visit the tasting rooms to experience some of the best Argentine boutique wines including their own Recuerdo brand. Harvest grapes or make a custom small-batch wine with the property’s winemaker, Santiago Achaval And visit Siete Fuegos for regional fare and traditional asado feasts from world-renowned Argentine Chef Francis Mallman.

The Vines of Mendoza’s private villas offer the perfect blend of rustic elegance and modern comfort. Experience the amazing Vines of Mendoza before or after DuVine’s Mendoza Bike Tour Narbona Wine Lodge is a Relais + Chateaux boutique hotel with five rooms overlooking the property’s winery and vineyard. Experience haute cuisine served in a turn-of-the-century grocer’s shop, take a visit to the cheese room, and enjoy regional dishes made in-house with local ingredients at the hotel’s two restaurants. Take a guided tour of the winery, enjoy a tasting of the lodge’s best wines, or prepare your own blended wine or grappa to take home with you. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, access to a private beach, and in-room massages. Borrow a mountain bike and grab a picnic basket complete with artisan cheeses, sandwiches, fruit, and wine, and head out into the vineyards for a romantic picnic or pick a book from the library and relax next the fireplace in the hotel’s cozy reading room.

Visit Narbona Wine Lodge before or after your DuVine’s Uruguay Bike Tour Located in the heart of the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve along the Fuy River, Nawelpi Lodge is an all-inclusive eco-paradise where nature meets luxury– a perfect place to stay on a bike tour vacation. Take advantage of the lodge’s incredible location by going trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, and more! Nawelpi’s 12 exclusive suites and 5 luxurious treehouse bungalows are situated in the center of the ancient Patagonian Rainforest and feature incredible views of the river and surrounding forest. Visit the bar and restaurant to experience the chef’s fusion cuisine made with local ingredients, relax on your private terrace or next to your private fireplace, or take a golf cart ride along landscaped wooden bridges to the spa and outdoor swimming pool. Go private and stay at Nawelpi Lodge on your DuVine Chile Lakes + Volcanoes Bike Tour Photo by Jimmy Baikovicius

This traditional hacienda dates back to the eighteenth century and was home to the last governor of Salta appointed by the King of Spain. The colonial house has been fully renovated but preserves all the typical features of colonial times. Step outside the gate to see the seventeenth-century Molino de Pueblo Church or relax by the outdoor pool overlooking the Nevado de Cachi Mountains. Relax on the patio shaded by an enormous pepper tree and enjoy a cocktail or a regional dish baked in the restaurant’s authentic mud oven. Hacienda de Molino’s 18 rooms feature rustic décor with beamed ceilings made from the wood of local carob trees, tiled hacienda floors, and furniture handmade by local craftsmen. With stunning views of the Calchacqui River and mountain views, this historic hotel is remote and tranquil for a serene getaway in Argentina. Book a private Salta Bike Tour with DuVine and experience the incredible Hacienda de Molinos yourself! Nestled in the Ecuadorian Andes at 9,600 feet above sea level, Hacienda Zuleta offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.