I've been to a lot of vineyards, both in and out of Chile. And this is by far one of the coolest…read moreI've seen. Whoever designed this place is an architectural genius. We didn't get here until a little after 4 PM on a Wednesday. It felt like they stayed open just for me and my friend, though there was one French guy who joined us on the tour. What would he know about wine? The tour and tasting will run you about $45 US, but that includes their renowned 2012 Clos Apalta, which I actually found less enjoyable than their 2014 Merlot for about 1/6 the price. Our guide was excellent and explained the vineyard's operations in great detail, including their system of gravity, which was certainly a first for me. When you get to the tasting room, you'll soon realize you got your money's worth. The guide will offer you a robe to keep you warm before you head in toward the table which sits atop the owners' 6,000 bottle private collection. Apparently, access to the basement was off-limits, as was the wine in it. Bummer.

TOUR AND GROUNDS…read more Lapostolle's Clos Apalta Winery is a must if you are visiting Colchagua Valley. The fact that their wine is among the most highly rated in Chile is only part of the reason. If you are coming from the US, you are unlikely to purchase any wine here since it's cheaper to buy it in the US. But you have to come see this winery... from beginning to end, the design and the process.. it's like a love story to wine. The grounds are just stunning. In every room and part of the tour, they say something that makes you go "wow". I also learned a lot of new and very interesting things about winemaking and distribution. The tasting includes a white (Chardonnay/Semillion, from which I learned the Semillion takes away from the harshness of the Chard, softening it), the lower end red (a Merlot) to their high end Clos Apalta that sells for less than $100 in the US, mid $100s at the winery and $200 and up elsewhere in Chile. Tours are offered in English and Spanish and although a bit steep at 20.000 CLP (~ $33), it's the same price that they charge for a tour at Viu Manent. After coming this far to visit wine country, I can't imagine trying to skimp on the price of a tour. Just do it. LUNCH We stayed for the wine pairing lunch, which is served at the Residence at tables overlooking the vineyard. We had the "Menú Lapostolle Clos de Apalta" (60.000 CLP or $100 USD per person); for 40.000 CLP we could have had it paired with the Cuvée Alexandre wine instead. The menu includes Aperitif, Starter, Main Course and Dessert with coffee and chocolates and is the same regardless of your pairing. The only difference between the two menus is the wine served with the main. They are very accommodating of dietary restrictions, and I was served chicken instead of angus loin for the main because I don't eat red meat. Aperitif: Casa Sauvignon Blanc Grand Selection 2013 Organic Apple & Blueberry Gazpacho Cup Blue Cheese Grilled Scallop Spoon Chive & Cheese Empanadita Starter: Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Chardonnay 2013 Preserved lemon seasoned shrimp over pumpkin & cinnamon cream, vanilla oil, flowers from the garden Main: Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2010 *** (better than the one they give you on the tour) Masala Chicken with pan seared organic tomaotes Dessert: Grand Marnier (by the way, this vineyard is owned by the Marnier Lapostolle family, which owns both, as well as Kappa Pisco.. a French family with a long history in the business) Cherimoya cream stuffed Meringue with homemade dulce de leche & Armagnac ice cream I don't need to go into each item and what was good and not because everything was outstanding. Really. The pairing was perfect, each item was perfection, I just loved the whole thing. Ranks up there with the best meals ever. Expensive? Sure. But considering the wine pairing and the amount of food we got, it was totally reasonable. Much better than meals I've paid more for in the US. Our lunch was relaxed and we spent well over two hours enjoying our food, wine, and the view. It was really a lovely afternoon and the highlight of our visit to Colchagua.