What Happens When Ten People for Ten Days: Travel, Tour, Taste, and Talk for the Sole Purpose of Experiencing Wine?

They end up meeting in Buenos Aires, become fast friends, and assure each other that this is going to be a fabulous time, which it was. So below is a photo of all ten of us at the Viu Manent Winery, in Colchagua Valley, Chile.

From left: Dexter, Joy, Dick, Jackie, Alistair, Linda, Bill, Alan, Pam, and Norm

Where are they from? Dexter, Joy-New Zealand; Dick, Jackie, Alistair, Linda-UK; Bill, Alan, Pam, Norm-US

While visiting Viu Manent, we had a two-hour class on learning to blend wine. Not only was it a class, it was a competition. We divided into two teams and each team had to produce their own blend using the varietals supplied directly from the barrels in the winery: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Pinot Noir, and Malbec. Our finished product was judged by the resident winery chefs. I am proud to announce I was on the winning team!

Fellow teammates peer intently as I use all the skills I possess to add still more Merlot to perfect our blend!

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We continued to travel through the Colchagua Valley of Chile. It was the middle of their spring and along the way there were beautiful fruits and vegetables to be admired. Also, gorgeous roses. This area of Chile reminded me of Northern California, very similar geographically. So if you've been to Northern California, you have a good idea of what Chile is like. 

One afternoon we traveled to a farm/vineyard in the Colchagua Valley, the home of Cota Mujica. The property has been in her family for decades and she shares it with other family members. They grow organic fruits and vegetables and also produce wine from their large vineyard. The photo below shows the garden entrance to Cota's charming house her mother built.

Cota served us a delicious lunch prepared from vegetables growing in her garden. And we enjoyed wine blended from her vineyard.

Our hostess, the interesting and fun-loving Cota. She is a wonderful ambassador for Chile!

Cota sets a beautiful, colorful table with fresh salads, breads, and also a freshly made soup. Her wine is smooth and delicious. How wonderful to meet her and be a guest in her home. She welcomes every one.

From Cota's Garden

So Much Wine--Not Enough Time!