Visiting Chile? Put this luxury vineyard on your list. I’ve lived in Santiago for over a year, and I’ve only just gotten round to discovering one of the best wine experiences in the world.
Letting it breathe
Emiliana Organic Vineyards is just 45 minutes from Santiago, yet it feels like a world away. Emiliana is more than a vineyard; it’s a nature reserve, an escape to the country, and a haven of tranquility. If you’re struggling with the pollution, the crowds, or the chaos of Santiago, put this exclusive vineyard tour on your list.
All about the wine
Yes, the surroundings are beautiful, but that’s not the reason I first found out about Emiliana. For my friends in Chile, it’s all about organic wine. Its premium wine ‘Ge’ and Coyam’ vintages can be found in some of the most stylish restaurants in town, and its entry-level ‘Adobe’ is popular even with the fussiest of my wine snob friends.
If you’re reading this crying into your Merlot because you can’t make the trip to Chile (sorry for you!), then good news: you can buy Emiliana wine around the world, though more specialist wine retailers. In the US, its wine, Adobe, is called ‘Natura,’ and in Ireland, it’s called ‘Eco.’ My favorite is the rich and bold Cabernet Sauvignon. However, its silky smooth Carmenere is the most popular.
The beauty within nature
Emiliana wine isn’t just organic; it’s also biodynamic. ‘Biodynamic’ is a type of farming process which goes one step further than organic. It respects the natural harmony between the flora, fauna, and even the solar system for a more positive impact on the environment, soil, and wine. Emiliana was the first in Latin America to adopt biodynamic wine production. The vineyard shuns all pesticides, alpacas munch away as natural lawnmowers and recycling bins abound. Even old wine barrels are upcycled into very cool sunglasses.
Family-friendly
Nature stretches as far as the eye can see, and in high season it felt like we had the place to ourselves. With all these beautiful landscapes and this space to enjoy, it’s an excellent place for kids. My children spent all afternoon running around, chasing through the vines, and spotting the animals. ‘Look, mummy! Fish! Look! Chickens!’
Make your own wine experience
My husband and I got to hard work, making our very own wine! Through the ‘make your own wine’ experience, visitors create a personal blend according to their preferred acidity, sweetness, dryness, and so forth. An Emiliana wine expert put us through our paces, getting us to think about the color, aroma, and taste of three different reds. After this, we mixed our blend, bottled it, and corked it with a little help from our junior assistants.
Wine and dine
After all this exertion, it was time for a rest, so we headed to the restaurant for lunch. We feasted on beautifully fresh tuna ceviche, a rainbow of organic salads from local farms, and a fruit platter which was so flavorful my child claimed he could taste the mountains. Foodie Tip: be sure to ask for the basil mayonnaise, which is perhaps worth a trip in itself.
If you’re looking for something more informal, order an organic picnic hamper, a cheese platter or a bottle of red or white, and savor it in the dappled shade of the orchard. Service is speedy, but life here is slow. If you’re anything like us, the only reminder that it’s time to move on is a pinkish glow in the Andes as the sun starts to set. Emiliana is a very special place, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
By Nina Hobson