Come see how was our tour and lunch at the Viu Manent winery, which mixes tradition and modernity in the Colchágua Valley!
If you are following our Chilean trip this year, you may like to take a peek at our tips from Santiago, Algarrobo, Isla Negra and Valle de Casablanca. Our next destination was the Colchágua Valley – the idea was to explore the wineries and enjoy a few days of rest. The choice of hotel could not have been better: we stayed at the Hotel Parronales, from where we went by taxi to the wineries of the region on our scheduled visits.
In the indigenous language, “Colchágua” means “vale of small lagoons”. During the period of Chilean independence, some of the country’s most traditional families bought land in this valley and there and built beautiful farms with historic mansions. Today, these farms are major producers of fine wines, with international projection and a must-see tour for those traveling to Chile.
Viu Manent Winery and Lunch
Viu Manent is one of the most traditional wineries in Vale Colchágua and is very successful in Brazil. We wanted to visit Viu Manent because of knowing that it produces great wines and has a very bacanal history – it was founded in 1935 and is a family business that, to this day, is run by the third generation of the Viu and Manent family.
When it was founded by the Catalan immigrant Miguel Viu García and his two sons Agustín and Miguel Viu Manent, the company was dedicated to the trade and packaging of wines for the market of Santiago under the brand “Vinos Viu”.
We went there by taxi – the journey from our hotel to there and the return cost twelve thousand Chilean pesos and, for us, it was worth it for the tranquility of enjoying the tasting and walking without worrying about routes or possible police blitz that occur frequently in the region.
At Viu Manent we chose, initially, to do the tasting and lunch. We got it right. The tasting was great, exclusive to us, with the wines icons of the winery. It is worth the investment of 10 to 20,000 Chilean pesos, per person, to know and taste the great wines produced in Viu Manent.
What we like most is the fact that it is a traditional winery, full of history… and with very good wines. The most famous of Viu Manent is Malbec – they went to the first winery to produce this grape specialty in Chile in 1993. Here, unlike the wineries we have already visited in the regions of Casablanca and San Antonio, the attractions become the red wines grown in oak barrels, heavier to the palate.
To do your tour and have lunch, you need to schedule, but I already say that both experiences were very worthwhile! The service was very good in all areas we had dialogue, including the store. I recommend the visit to Viu Manent – especially if you are a fan of fuller-bodied wines!
Come on, I saw Manent. Carretera del vino km. 37 – Santa Cruz, Colchagua, Sixth Región del General Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins, Chile. Opening hours: from 10am to 6pm, every day. Phone: +56 72 285 8350| Site | Instagram | Facebook
After the tasting, we went to lunch at Rayuela, a restaurant that is in Viu Manent and is super renowned in the city! The restaurant fort is the grills and we made the harmonization of the lunch we chose – we asked as an entrance a delicious shrimp ceviche accompanied by a beautiful sauvignon blanc.
As a second dish, a classic striped classic that was also great and fell super well with the classic and award-winning Malbec winery. To close with a golden key, we ordered the dessert of the house that was simply spectacular. It was the Chilean, which is nothing more than a pasta/biscuit stuffed with dulce de leche and ice cream of urear. A must!
The atmosphere is beautiful and the restaurant overlooks the vineyards and the Apalta hill! It was a beautiful day and sunny and we could enjoy this view and enjoy a very quiet lunch! And those who prefer, like us, can sit at the outside tables of the restaurant, which are under showy vineyards – complete experience!
Come on: Rayuela Wine & Grill at Vina Viu Manent. Address: Carretera De Vino KM 37 | Vina Viu Manent, Santa Cruz, Chile. Phone: 56 2 2840 3180 Site | Trip Advisor
After lunch, we went to walk through the beautiful property and get to know a little more Viu Manent. Those who want, can schedule directly in the winery a carriage tour through the winery – on the way, the guide goes on the planting and cultivation of the grapes, passing through the cellars and, at the end, tasting of five labels of Viu Manent.
The price for adults is 16,000 Chilean pesos and, for children, 8,000 Chilean pesos. The tour lasts 1h15 minute and the exits of the carriages take place every day at the following times: at 10:30, 12:00, 15:00, 16:30 hours. Schedule yours on the wine site.
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