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Join Edge of World Retreats in March 2011 to sip and taste our way
through the culinary and wine worlds of Chile and Argentina. We are
excited to bring exceptional California winemakers Ed Kurtzman of August
West Wines and
Andrew Vingiello of A.P. Vin with us to share
their love and respect for New World winemakers of the Southern
Hemisphere.
Both countries are really on the forefront of innovating growing and
winemaking that does hold to “tradition” but improves upon it with these
new techniques and goals. That's very exciting stuff for me and I would
think to consumers looking to educate themselves on the world of wine,"
says Andrew. Not only is Ed excited to check out the birthplace of one
of his favorite wines, Malbec from Argentina, he "think(s) the Cabernets
from Chile are as great a deal as Napa Valley Cab used to be.
We will explore the finest vineyards in South America, clustered in the
temperate valleys around Santiago de Chile and Mendoza, Argentina. Each
region has a unique terroir; microclimates bear similarities to
California, the Mediterranean, and France—warm days, cool nights,
sufficient rainfall, low frost risk—and soils vary from clay to tuffeau.
Chilean vineyards near Santiago are making a huge push in the wine
world, offering well-made wines at an easy price. Several of the area's
vintages are rated 95 or better by Wine Spectator. Among those are
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Carmenère, and Malbec. In addition to
Chile's traditional producers, a growing group European houses have
established wineries here. Chile's natural barriers—the Pacific and the
Andes—naturally protect Chilean vines and provide excellent growing
conditions.
East of the Andes lies Mendoza, one of the world's great wine capitals.
The area ranks among the top five producers worldwide, and accounts for
over 70% of Argentina's volume. Early Jesuit pioneers planted Mendoza's
first vines in the 16th century. Refinements by Italian and French
vintners followed. Today the area boasts more than 1,000 vineyards
spread among five regions, each with unique characteristics and varietals.
Pair our winery visits with Chilean barbecues in the vineyard, dinners
at some of South America's most innovative restaurants and plenty of
time to explore a museum or take a long bike ride, this trip is sure to
satisfy your every craving. We'll cap it off with classic Agrentine
tango in the sizzling capital and cultural hub of Buenos Aires.
You don't want want to miss this!
This tour will enliven you on many levels, it's one that you will not want to miss. To reserve your spot on this trip, click here to register or call 619. 887. 6720 now!
HOTELS:
All well-located 3 and 4 star establishments, all rooms with private facilities (baths where possible), and cold selection buffet breakfasts (American where possible). No hotel is being held on option. Here are the suggested hotels, subject to availability:
Porterage is included in/out at each of the five hotels, one large suitcase per person.
DINNERS:
One Welcome Dinner and one Farewell Dinner in hotel restaurants and/or in local restaurants:
LUNCH:
GUIDES:
Professional English-speaking local Guides for:
MINIBUS TRANSPORTATION:
TASTINGS and ENTRANCES
Price via Paypal $ _______________ USD
Edge of World Retreats presents:
Date:
Tour Price: $ ___________ USD - does not include Air
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 – Mar 07 Arrival in Santiago de Chile and transfer to the hotel. 4 nights in the 3* hotel Panamericano (incl. buffet breakfast). Half day city tour which shows Santiago’s most outstanding attractions, including a walking tour through the city center. Visit the San Cristobal Hill for a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the Andes Mountain Range.
Day 2 - Mar 08 The full day wine tour starts with a visit of the William Cole winery, which was built in 1999, situated in the famous Casablanca valley. Visit Vina del Mar, the “garden city” with its well-kept parks, gardens, beaches and modern buildings. Lunch at a local restaurant. At the end of the day explore Valparaiso, the main port of Chile, declared as Patrimony of the Humanity by UNESCO. (B/L)
Day 3 – Mar 09 The trip is towards Pirque, bordering the Valley of the Maipo, an area that hosts the most traditional vineyards of Chile. Concha y Toro was founded by Marques de Casa Concha in 1883. It has more than 750 hectares. Tour through the park, vineyards and fermenting room. After visiting Concha y Toro enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to the Santa Rita winery for tasting. (B/L)
Day 4 – Mar 10 Full day tour to Aconcagua valley, located about 56 miles from Santiago and is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and one of the best locations for Chile's emblematic grape Carmenere. Wineries which we may visit include Errazuriz, Sanchez de Loria Winery and San Esteban. (B/L)
Day 5 – Mar 11 Transfer to the airport. Flight to Mendoza and arrival transfer to hotel. 3 nights in the 3* hotel Crillon (incl. buffet breakfast). Half day city tour, where you will see the Foundational Museum, San Francisco Ruins, the Shopping area, San Martin Square, Espana Square, the Civic Center and Government House, San Martin Park and Cerro de la Gloria as well as the Amphitheater Frank Romero Day and the Malvinas Island Stadium. (B)
Day 6 – Mar 12 Visit four wineries and the Cipolletti Dike, important for the irrigation system and the Carrodilla Church, with the image of the Patron of the Vineyards. Luján de Cuyo produces the best Malbecs in modern wineries. Lunch at a local restaurant. The Uco Valley compares to earlier Napa Valley. At a higher elevation excellent high-altitude wines are produced at the foot of the Andes. (B/L)
Day 7 – Mar 13 Visit the most important mountains range, the Andes. Crossing Potrerillos Valley with its impressive dam, go on to the historical Uspallata Valley and arrive at the historical bridge over Picheuta River. Lunch at a local restaurant. See some little mountain villages and the highest peak on the continent, the Aconcagua Mount from a view point. (B/L)
Day 8 – Mar 14 Transfer to the airport. Flight to Puerto Varas and start of the day tour. Visit Frutillar with its beautiful and old German style architecture with florid and spectacular gardens mainly begonias.Continue bordering the Llanquihue lake until arrive to Puerto Octay, founded in 1854 with beautiful architecture at the beginning of the century. Overnight at 3* hotel Colonos del Sur Mirador (incl. buffet breakfast). (B)
Day 9 – Mar 15 Departure from Puerto Varas to Petrohue, bordering Llanquihue Lake. Enjoy imposing sights of Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes, continue on Todos Los Santos Lake, Lago Frias and Nahuel Huapi Lake with destination Puerto Pañuelo. Bus trip to Bariloche and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at 4* hotel Tres Reyes (incl. buffet breakfast). (B/L)
Day 10 – Mar 16 Half day tour along the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake including Playa Bonita, Mount Campanario, Llao Llao Peninsula, San Pedro Peninsula, Puerto Panuelo, Bay & Mount Lopez and a panoramic lookout. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Buenos Aires and arrival transfer to the hotel. 2 nights in the 3* hotel Waldorf (incl. buffet breakfast). (B)
Day 11 – Mar 17 Full day excursion to the Fiesta Gaucha Ranch. Taste a delicious BBQ with typical meat and wines and a typical gaucho dessert. The gauchos provide entertainment such as music, dancing and singing. On the late evening enjoy a typical Argentinean dinner & tango show. (B/L/D)
Day 12 – Mar 18 Half day city tour starts at the historic Plaza de Mayo Square. It is surrounded by the Government House, best known as the "Pink House", the Cabildo and the Cathedral. Visit Palermo neighborhood with its elegant residences framed by wide green areas and the district of Recoleta, the most sophisticated neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Transfer to the airport of Buenos Aires for flight home. (B
 For all your trip insurance needs, please visit our affiliate partnership with InsureMyTrip to customize your ideal insurance package.
Payment and Air schedule:
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Reserve your spot now for $ 500.00
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NEED DATE Portion of your tour payment due, Book and Purchase Your Plane Tickets and trip insurance
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NEED DATE- Final Payment Due
Single supplement: $ 450 USD per person. These are on a first come, first serve basis and are limited.
Additional costs not included in tour package for the entire trip:
• Air Travel
• Airport Taxes
• Incidentals
• Tips or Gratuities
• Beverages (all)
• Meals not mentioned on the itinerary
• Optional tours or optional admissions
• Single supplement
• Items of personal nature
• Optional, but highly recommended travel insurance
• Any service not mentioned
• Laundry
For more information on this trip, call 619. 887. 6720.
Registration closes: NEED DATE
About your facilitator, Ed Kurtzman
 A gifted winemaker with a talent for crafting elegantly structured, cool climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Ed Kurtzman has been making wine since 1994. He began in the cellar at Bernardus in Carmel Valley, California under the guidance of Don Blackburn and Kirby Anderson. Utilizing the extensive experience gained working for such esteemed wineries as Chalone and Testarossa, Ed has refined his style
and techniques. Ed crafts wines displaying an understanding of California Pinot Noir with a classic Burgundian approach. He acted as consulting winemaker at Fort Ross Vineyards (2003-2006) and at Freeman Winery. Ed is the co-consulting winemaker for ROAR wines, along with Adam Lee of Siduri and Novy. In 2003, Ed started his Sandler label and makes those wines at August West's San Francisco winery. Ed is a wonderful spirit whose energy and passion for wine and people are clear in his smile.
About your facilitator, Andrew Vingiello
 In Andrew's large family, wine was a staple at the dinner table. But it was a bottle 1998 Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands where Andrew discovered a new world of small, artisan pinot producers making bold, complex wines unlike anything he had tasted before. While earning a living in the world of finance, Andrew moonlighted working harvests and studying the craft with a respected pinot noir producer. He
decided to fully pursue his passion and made the transition from finance to winemaker. While over the past eight years Andrew has learned a strong foundation of wine making skills from the winemakers and growers that influenced him, the last several vintages he's been fine tuning his own unique style. The overarching theme to his approach is that wine is made in the vineyard. Andrew feels fortunate to be able to work with some of the most talented growers in California, guiding their fruit into unique bottlings that create the A.P.VIN family of vineyard-designated pinot noir.
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