Ugh. Well, yesterday I had planned to post a dozen or so pictures from my trip to Chile and Argentina with Montes Wines and Kaiken Wines. Unfortunately, I did not finish the post before we had to load up the bus and head to another vineyard. “No problem,” I thought, “I can just finish it up on my iPhone on the bus.”
Not so much.
The Chilean cell network is not all that great. Nor is the WordPress iPhone app. The result? I spent a good hour trying to fight both of the aforementioned deterrents to no avail. So I gave up and decided to post the rest today. I hope no one minds….
A few days in Argentina with Kaiken Wines.
The Kaiken cellars were dotted with the winery’s symbol, a bird from Patagonia.
Plenty of food was a constant theme.
Charcuterie, cheese, and sparkling wine with the Andes as a backdrop at Kaiken.
Then it was back across the Andes for dinner at Aurelio Montes’ house, where cigars capped the evening.
The following day we travelled to the Montes Winery in Apalta, met by Aurelio Sr. and Jr.
Lunch was at the winery’s new restaurant, headed by none other than Francis Mallmann.
The best ribeye I have ever had. Period.
Then it was back into the vineyards, which meant some more quality time with fellow voyager, Brian Freedman.
Perhaps the best Sauvignon Blanc I have had, Montes Outer Limits, high above the vineyards in Apalta.
The following day we travelled to the Marchigüe vineyard where we were met by Patagonian chef Jorge Luksik.
Back to Santiago for one more night, preparing to say goodbye to Chile.
As the morning breaks outside my hotel window, I sadly need to say goodbye to Chile.
the drunken cyclist 
Wow look at that crab! Glad you had a great time.
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The crab (along with just about everything else) was incredible. Chef Jorge is from the Southern end of Chile, Patagonia. His English was horrible, but he spoke passable French, so we could converse–the guy is a hoot.
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Sounds like your having the typical first world problems in the third world. 🙂 If that’s the worst thing that happens to you today your going to OK. Have fun and keep the pix coming.
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Ha! Yeah, it was a great trip!
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What an amazing trip! Derek has been a couple of times- he spent them mostly in Mendoza. One time, he was there for a quick turnaround trip and ended up getting a blood clot on the flight home- so make sure to move those long legs around or don the ever fashionable compression socks (with sandals of course ;))
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Been there, done that….Not fun.
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Just wonderful. Chile has been of the places I’ve always wanted to visit since a colleague some three decades back told me of the year or two she had spent there.
Hope to hear more of your impressions of it.
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It is certainly an interesting country with great food and tradition. The geography is simply amazing.
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Great photos, loved the food and wine in Chile, the people made even more memorable.
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Really a fantastic place!
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You look relaxed and tanned, amazing what wine in the southern hemisphere will do to you 😉
Did you make it to either Baco or Bocanariz wine bar in Santiago?
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It was a great trip, but we did not have a ton of time in Santiago–definitely need to get back to experience the city some more.
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I want another cigar!!!! 🙂
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Ha! As long as we get to choose another bottle too!
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