On this tour will take you through the history of this almost extinct variety. Carmenère is a grape variety originally from Bordeaux in France, which was used as part of the blend for great Bordeaux wines. It is said that this rare grape was grown in Médoc in the early eighteenth century. In 1850, the Carmenère grape closely disappeared from Europe following the phylloxera crisis. Chile had to spend almost three centuries before its identification and discover. In 1993, Mr. Jean Michel Boursiquot, ampelographer (Ampelography is the science that describes and identifies the varieties of wine) and professor at the University of Montpellier traveled to our country. The trip was requested by Mr. Claude Valat, also a professor of that university, who had detected the presence of a strange variety between the Chilean Merlot vineyards. Valat and a Local winemaker, Philippo Pszcolkowski, found that, in the vineyards of Carmen's winery, Merlot was not Merlot and neither Cabernet Franc as many had speculated. "This is Carmenère", they said in unison. That´s how begins the rewritten Carmenère story. You will have the opportunity to taste some of the most surprising wines made out this historical variety.
Travel Itinerary
Transportation from your accommodation location to Colchagua
Tour & Premium Carmenere wine tasting at Casa Silva Winery (four wines)
Tour & Premium wine tasting at Maturana Wines or Koyle (3 wines)
Lunch paired with wines at Casa Silva or Viu Manent Winery (included)
Tour & Premium Vertical wine tasting at Neyen Winery (3 vintages)
Ultra-Premium wine tasting at Montes Winery (4 wines)
Transportation back to your accommodation location
All our tourism activities include:
Private Transportation
Specialized wine guide
Mineral water
All of our travel programs and tours can be organized from the cities of Santiago, Valparaiso, Viña Del Mar, San Antonio and Colchagua Valley (Santa Cruz)