Wines of Chile

The edge of Patagonia! 700 miles south of Santiago, lies the rugged island of Chiloé, the largest of the 40 islands in the Chiloé archipelago and where they grow nearly 300 different kinds of potatoes!

 

We drove across the island and boarded a boat for the windy 1 hour ride across the gulf, passing green hills dotted with sheep and farm after farm, stepping back in time. Our destination was the mystical island of Añihue…and a tiny, beautiful vineyard from which someday there may come a very special Viña Montes sparkling wine.

 

Juanito served platter after platter of freshly caught shellfish, king crab, abalone, and sea urchin that we ate under a rustic pergola with glasses of delicious Montes bubbles… Guyo cooked salmon, steak and potatoes over hot coals paired with whiskey and Pinot Noir…it was a most fabulous feast by any measure.

 

After more stories and cigars, it was back on the Don Raul, past the salmon and mussel farms, on to the next adventure.

 

Back on Chiloé, we stayed in the cool and vibe Estancia Rilan and watched the sun set at 10 PM… and when it’s still twilight at 11, you dine at midnight! Thank you Aurelio and Carlos for a day I will never forget!

 

- Beth