Viña La Playa

Colchagua Valley - "2005 Wine Region of the Year" (Wine Enthusiast)

With its exceptional soils and microclimates, Colchagua Valley offers exceptional advantages for growers and producers.

Located about 80 miles southwest of Santiago, the Colchagua Valley is about 75 miles long and averages 22 miles in width. It enjoys a balmy, Mediterranean climate matched in only a few other places on earth. With no smog, the air is exceptionally clear, and the region is noted for its abundant and extraordinarily luminous sunshine. The average annual rainfall, which occurs mostly in the winter months of May to August, is about 24 inches. Humidity is low, and frost is unknown.

As Pacific maritime breezes sweep around the coastal mountain range into the Colchagua Valley (a horseshoe-shaped sub-region of the Rapel Valley), they cross Rapel Lake and follow the river inland.

La Playa's vineyards are "first in line" for the benign influence of these afternoon breezes, which temper the effects of the hot summer sun and lead to crisp, cool nights.

Also vital for great grapes, are good soil and water. The deep sedimentary soil of the Colchagua Valley contains a mixture of fine-textured loam clay and loam silt, bordered by medium-textured volcanic soil in the foothills. Towering above the Valley to the east are the mighty Andes, including the Tinguiririca Volcano. Melting snow feeds the Tinguiririca River, which rises at the foot of the volcano and carries pure water to the valley below.

All these factors create a terroir of near-perfect conditions for the vineyards, including an exceptionally long growing season of warm, dry weather. Grapes that mature slowly can develop their varietal character to the fullest, yielding wines bursting with fruit.

Colchagua wines, especially red varietals, are now widely recognised for their excellent quality.

Viña La Playa Winery and Hotel

Opened in March 2004, this wine-country facility is beautifully situated among the vineyards on the Tinguiririca riverbank. It is easily accessible by car (about two and a half hours from the capital city of Santiago), or via La Playa's private airstrip.

The hotel is a classic Chilean hacienda-style property featuring four-star overnight accommodation in a luxurious yet inviting family atmosphere.

For anyone wishing to discover the charms of Chilean wine country in luxurious comfort, there is no better way than relaxing with fine wines at the Viña La Playa Winery & Hotel.

www.hotelvinalaplaya.cl