Indomita Winery Chile Pictures
Vina Indomita in Chile's Casablanca Valley was the first stop on a December day trip by road, with friends from Valapraiso. From here, we headed southwest, back towards the Pacific coast. Though we'd not arranged a tour ahead of time (recommended), winery staff generously allowed us to join a tour in progress. Here are a few pictures of that tour.
Indomita Winery 'dominates' Casablanca Valley Hillside 
This winery, one of two Vina Indomita wineries in Chile, is located on 200 hectares (500 acres) about 40 km (25 miles) south east of Valparaiso in the Casablanca Valley.
We stopped to smell the roses along the sandy road that leads up to the large white building that dominates the hillside.
Almost all vineyards are fenced with rose bushes, seen here in this photo in full bloom at the roadside.
Roses act as the 'canary in coal mines' for vineyards; roses are the first to become infected with a fungus harmful to grape vines, so if the roses show fungus, staff know to protect the vines.
|
Spectacular Casablanca Valley Views From Vina Indomita Winery Balcony 
Fabulous views of the Casablanca Valley from this large balcony at Vina Indomita Winery.
The haze in the distance is from bush fires in the hills above Valparaiso, northwest of here.
Winery tours are offered in both English and Spanish, but make arrangements ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
|
Oak Barrels, Indomita Winery Cellar, Casablanca Valley Wine tour 
Vina Indomita is one of the newer wineries and vineyards in the Casablanca Valley.
The cool misty climate, with lots of heat and sun when needed, make this Middle Chile valley one of the world's best for producing white wines.
At this vineyard location, Vina Indomita produces pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay.
Though harvest times vary from year to year depending on weather, etc. generally pinot noir and chardonnay grapes are picked in April, and sauvignon blanc are picked in March.
|
Wine Tasting Room at Vina Indomita Winery, Casablanca Chile 
Around a gleaming semi- circular bar, samples of both red and white wines awaited tasting.
This tasting included a pinot noir from Casablanca, and two reds from Valle Maule: Carmenere, and a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Most Indomita wines are single varietal.
This wall unit held bottles of premium and reserva wines.
|
Wine Glasses 'Tasting Notes' at Vina Indomita Winery Tour, Chile 
Here's a closer look at the tasting note samples provided for helping determine the aroma and flavors of the wines.
Lemon, orange, coffee beans, strawberry, vanilla bean, a mushroom (earthy), and black pepper.
This was the first time on any winery tour that I'd ever been offered this helpful reference of tasting notes .
Between wines, we nibbled on plain soda crackers to clear our palates between wines.
To tour this winery 80 km (50 miles) west of Santiago, see www.indomita.cl or ask your hotel or tour operator. There is a restaurant on site.
Next up: Isla Negra Pablo Neruda museum, then lunch at Los Cordoveses in El Quisco.
|
