Sunday, February 17, 2008

Not Another Wine Tour!

You have to feel sorry for us...we are negotiating with each other about whether or not we can take on another wine tour. Apparently the Chilean wineries don't really host wine tastings at the wineries like they do in Napa, they arrange tours with tastings that follow. You must book ahead to make sure there is room in the group and an English speaking guide. We have done two Chilean wine tours, one that we arranged in advance after learning the ropes and another that we accidently happened to arrive at the winery just as an English language tour with room was starting out. Due to Mike's illness we didn't go on any in Argentina. In New Zealand we stopped at a few wineries for tastings but not tours. The most recent tour included a horse drawn wagon ride through the vineyards before stopping at the production facitilies for the tour, then a ride back to the tasting room. Charming.

So, now we have heard about the most prstigious winery in the area. Owned by one of the French family that makes Grand Marnier. Beautiful winery up on a hill with supposedly stunning wines. However this place charges $40 US for the tour instead of the typical $10 or so. Our big dilema is to tour or not to tour. After the last one we had decided we were finished. That was before hearing about this winery. Check out there website http://www.closapalta.cl and cast your vote here. Another wine tour or not?

Our lodge is full this weekend for the first time since we have been here. There is a group of about ten Americans here on some organized trip that involved leaving here at 8:30 this morning on bikes for some horrendously long bike ride, followed by showers somewhere, then lunch and a bus trip back. Several planes landed in the landing strip in front of the lodge yesterday, so we suppose they avoided the three hour drive here from Santiago by flying in. We overheard them talking about the river rapids trip they were taking when they get to Mendoza, Argentina. It made us feel like slackers, but happy ones. Sure glad we don't have to do anything today but decide whether or not to do another wine tour some other day in the future.

Resting quite comfortably in Chile,
Deanne

2 comments:

Leanne said...

Hey you 2............ok, my vote is to go on the wine tour.......yes, that's right, I'm voting for the wine! It sounds like it would be a wonderful tour and in the event you don't get back to Chile soon, you'd miss out on a wonderful opportunity! Just my 2 cents.............whatever you do, ENJOY!

Glad you're both feeling well!

PS.....Mando would be on the river tour in a heartbeat! I'd be getting my exercise by changing positions on the pool lounge chair with a book in my hand!

love you both

WanderingGypsies said...

I knew it was you that commented before I even opened it. Who else would be up this early in the morning? As I walk around today I have noticed two of the women from the big group out at the pool. Apparently they are traveling with the rough and tumble men and taking life easier. Another vote for women are smarter than men.
Mike is still not in top shape which is probably why more wine does not appeal to him. Hopefully he will improve quick. Thanks for voting. I love you,
deanne