Robert Blackie
Google
I was visiting Chile for my birthday and made it a point to visit this vineyard during my stay, and I am so very glad I did. I will start by saying that the location is absolutely gorgeous. The winery is located on the top of a hill, and from there you can see some incredible views of the surrounding vineyards. I reserved a premium tour and wine tasting for the afternoon, and a reservation at the restaurant for dinner after.
Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by Alejandra, who would be my tour guide. She offered me the choice of having the tour in Spanish or English, and as I was the only one, we were able to begin the tour immediately. Alejandra was phenomenal! She told me the story of the winery, including its history, growth and development over the years, and plans for the future. We explored the mechanics of the winery itself, and I was able to get a deep look into the wine-making process, and how they are experimenting with new methods of aging and fermentation, including the use of glass to ferment and age the wine. Outside, she explained how the grapes are planted according to variations of sun exposure on different hill faces, how very localized soil variations can greatly affect the taste of the final product, and how the grapes varieties are chosen for planting. She was able to answer any questions I had, and I didn't feel rushed at all. She was also kind enough to offer to take photos of me during the tour so I could share them with friends and family. I didn't even have to ask!
After the tour, I was taken to the very lovely outdoor terrace for dinner. Since I was by myself, Alejandra offered to sit with me and continue chatting while also explaining the wines I was going to try and how to pair them. I was grateful for her willingness to spend the time with me, especially since it was a special birthday trip for me, and also my first trip since losing my fiance last year. Her kindness and empathy meant so much to me, and I was so appreciative of her company at the table. It was by far the highlight of my day, if not the entire week. I really felt right at home.
As for the food, it was SUPERB! The marvelous chef came out frequently to ensure that everything was cooked exactly as I wanted, and I have to say - it really was cooked to perfection. Everything I ordered was incredibly tasty and well-portioned and paired with the wines I was tasting. Since I was driving, I also appreciated that I did not feel rushed at all and they ensured that I had plenty of water at the table to drink. It was a perfect way to end my day, with the setting sun over the vineyards and great food and company.
Overall, I HIGHLY recommend a visit to this one-of-a-kind vineyard. It's a little off the main wine route (about 15 minutes from route 68), but still easy to get to and well worth it. I would recommend budgeting at least three hours here, especially if you plan to eat at the restaurant (you most definitely should), and if you come in the late afternoon, you can get some beautiful photos as the sun begins to set over the hills (I visited in late September when the days are still shorter). I am so glad I chose to visit, and thanks to Alejandra and all the wonderful staff at Villard I had a magical experience I will remember for the rest of my life.
