Winery Activities
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Viña Cousiño Macul
A pretty winery set in Santiago's urban sprawl. Most of the vineyards are now at Buin, but tours take in the production process and underground bodega, built in 1872. It's a 2.25km walk or a quick taxi ride from the metro.
reviewed
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Viña Concha y Toro
To see winemaking on a vast scale, do one of the mass-market tours at Viña Concha y Toro.
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Pipers Brook
This is the region's most famous vineyard, where you can try Pipers Brook, Ninth Island and Krieglinger wines in an architecturally innovative building that also houses the Winery Café.
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Bay of Fires Wines
Some 15km away, south of Pipers River, and the home of prestigious Arras Sparkling and a fine Tigress Riesling.
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Groot Constantia
A superb example of Cape Dutch architecture, Groot Constantia is set in beautiful grounds. Not surprisingly, it can become busy with tour groups, but the estate is big enough for you to escape the crowds, if needs be. In the 18th century, Constantia wines were exported around the world and were highly acclaimed; today you should try its sauvignon blanc and pinotage.
As you approach the estate the large tasting room is first on your right. Further on is the free orientation centre, which provides an excellent overview of the estate’s history, and the beautifully restored homestead, now a museum. The interiors have been appropriately furnished; take a look at the tiny slave…
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Klein Constantia
Part of the original Constantia estate, Klein Constantia is famous for its Vin de Constance, a deliciously sweet muscat wine (R330). It was Napoleon’s solace on St Helena, and Jane Austen had one of her heroines recommend it for having the power to heal ‘a disappointed heart’. We can’t guarantee that, but we can say that while Klein Constantia doesn’t offer the frills and bonuses of other wineries, it’s still worth visiting for its excellent tasting room and informative displays. Also try the riesling, sauvignon blanc and marlbrook, a classic Bordeaux-style blend. At the estate’s entrance, pause to look at the karamat (saint’s tomb) of Sheik Abdurachman Matebe Shah; he…
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Constantia Uitsig
The wine on sale here is actually made at the nearby Steenberg Vineyards – try their crisp semillon, luscious MCC Blanc de Blanc Brut (R325) or limited-release Muscat D’Alexandrie. It’s one for foodies since it boasts three excellent restaurants – Constantia Uitsig,La Colombe and the River Café, as well as a luxury hotel,ConstantiaUitsig.
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Buitenverwachting
Buitenverwachting means ‘beyond expectation’, which is certainly the feeling one gets on visiting this 100-hectare estate that’s known for offering good working and living conditions to its employees. Order ahead to enjoy a blissful picnic lunch in front of the 1796 manor house. For something more formal try the elegant restaurant. Beg, steal or borrow to snag a bottle of its delicious, but limited release, Christine claret. The chardonnay and Rhine riesling are among its standout whites.
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École du Vin
Serious students of the grape can enrol at the École du Vin, within the Maison du Vin de Bordeaux (Bordeaux House of Wine), across the street from the tourist office. Introductory two-hour courses are held Monday to Saturday from 10am to noon between June and September (adult €25). To really develop your nose (and your dinner-party skills), sign up for one of three progressively more complex two- to three-day courses (€335 to €600) scheduled between May and October, including châteaux visits.
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Bodega de las Nubes
Five kilometers west of Cafayate along the road to Río Colorado (it’s signposted ‘Mounier’), small, organic and friendly Bodega de las Nubes has a fabulous position at the foot of the jagged hills. The short tour and tasting nominally costs AR$15, but if you buy wine it’s not charged. It also does tasty picadas here. Ring ahead to check it is open and if you want to eat. Grape-picking day in March is lots of fun, with volunteers welcomed.
reviewed
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La Riojana Winery
La Rioja is one of the best areas to taste the aromatic white torrontés, though it’s far from the only wine the province has to offer. La Riojana cooperative is the area’s main wine producer, and a sizable concern. A good free tour (call or drop in to arrange a time; English is spoken) shows you through the bodega – think large cement fermentation tanks rather than rows of musty barrels – and culminates in a generous tasting.
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Tarara Vineyard
On a bluff overlooking the Potomac, this 475-acre estate provides guided tours showing the grape’s journey from vine to glass. The winery is located in a 6000-sq-ft cave, and visitors can pick fruit in the orchard or hike the 6 miles of trails through rolling countryside. Tarara also hosts summertime Saturday evening concerts and three major wine festivals.
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Bodega El Catador
- Ica, Peru
- Activities › Winery
A touristy bodega, located less than 10km north of Ica, Bodega El Catador lets tourists join in a symbolic stomping of the grapes during February and March, and runs free tours and wine and pisco tastings all year. It also has a restaurant that serves local specialties and occasionally has live music. A taxi should cost about S7 each way.
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Suavia
Soave is not known as a complex white, but this trailblazing winery, located 8km outside Soave via SP39, is changing the equation. Don’t miss DOC Monte Carbonare Soave Classico, with its mineral, ocean-breeze finish.
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Bodegas de Santo Tomás
For an informative introduction to Baja’s wine industry, Bodegas de Santo Tomás holds tours of its cellars and wine tastings hourly from 10am to 1pm and at 3pm. Sample its signature big red, the award-winning 2000 Cabernet. Alternatively, tipple your way along the Ruta del Vino and discover things for yourself.
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San Sebastian Winery
Free hour-long tours at this winery are capped with wine tastings and a video about Florida winemaking since the 1600s; there's wine and live jazz from 7pm to 11pm at the rooftop Cellar Upstairs. If you're around in August, join the squishy fun during the annual grape-stomping competitions.
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Kurow Winery
Just 4km east of Kurow on SH83, the Kurow Winery offers well-balanced riesling and smoky and spicy pinot noir. Drop in for a wine-tasting session and a winery platter ($38), including smoked Aoraki salmon, Whitestone cheese from nearby Oamaru, and local venison salami.
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Cave des Hospices de Strasbourg
This brick-vaulted wine cellar nestles deep in the bowels of Strasbourg's hospital. A hospice back in the days when wine was considered a cure for all ills, today the cellar bottles first-rate Alsatian wines from rieslings to sweet muscats. One of its historic barrels is filled with a 1472 vintage.
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All Saints Estate
Head out of town to the stunning All Saints Estate. There’s an atmospheric cellar-door in a 120-year-old castle, and in the front building Indigo Cheese Co offers tastings of gourmet cheeses and other produce from the region.
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Bluemont Vineyard
Bluemont produces ruby red Nortons and crisp Viogniers, though it’s equally famous for its spectacular location – at a 950ft elevation with sweeping views over the countryside. It’s open outside hours by appointment.
reviewed
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Viña Almaviva
This boutique vineyard runs in partnership with Baron Philippe de Rothschild. High-end tastings are available by reservation only. Bus 207 from Estación Mapocho runs past the entrance, about 1km from the winery building. It's the more sophisticated sister of Viña Concha y Torowhere you can see winemaking on a vast scale on one of the winery's mass-market tours.
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Vinícola LA Cetto
Vinícola LA Cetto, southwest of Avenida Constitución, offers tours and tasting (M$20, M$50 with souvenir glass). LA Cetto produces a range of tasty varietals, as well as sparkling wines and a decent brandy.
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Chrysalis Vineyards
Proudly using the native Norton grape (which dates back to 1820), Chrysalis produces highly drinkable reds and whites – including a refreshing Viognier. The pretty estate hosts a bluegrass music fest in October.
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Fabbioli Cellars
This eco-friendly winery provides an intimate but informal tasting experience, where you can learn about the wines from the innovative winemaker Doug Fabbioli himself. It’s open outside hours by appointment.
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Pelee Island Winery Wine Pavilion
Enjoy the fruits of island life at the Pelee Island Winery Wine Pavilion. Regular tours are free at noon, 2pm and 4pm most days; special wine-and-cheese and wine-and-chocolate tours can be scheduled by calling.
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