Rollin' round the wine regions

There's a huge advantage rolling into wineries in a campervan - if you like it, you can sleep there. Our van has quite literally become a wine cellar on wheels. And who doesn't want to sleep with their wine?

Tasting my way around four wine regions with a Sherpa in tow was entertaining. At first Sherpa was reluctant to go to 'wineries' as he assumed it was a place where Lady Client would endlessly whine. He was relieved that this was not the case and was pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Quickly developing a nose for fine wines, his tasting notes were refreshingly honest as you'll see below.

Conveniently, March in the wineries was harvest. Vines bulge with grapes, there's midnight picking, wine makers proudly showing off their wares and opportunities for us to sample countless vino that had just hit the barrels. Don't worry, our filthy feet and hands didn't squash any grapes - your 2017 vintages won't be tainted.

From region to region the landscapes vary dramatically; the eerie moonscape of Mendoza, snowcapped Andes mountains frame the Valle de Uco, cactus grow amongst vines in Aconcagua Valley and fall in love with lush, green, picture-perfect Colchagua.

Here are our tasting notes:

Our rating scale

1 🍇 It'll get you drunk
2 🍇🍇 Xmas gift to the awkward neighbour
3 🍇🍇🍇 Safe for a dinner party
4 🍇🍇🍇🍇 Cellar this stuff
5 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇 You'd sell your first born child for another glass

CHILE

Colchagua

This pretty little valley oozes romance with acres of lush green vines, polo fields, fine dining and produces the perfect partners; Camenere and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wineries:

Laura Hartwig: 🍇🍇
Neyen: The stand out of the region - 55% Carmenere / 45% Cab Sauvignon🍇🍇🍇🍇
Vina Montes: 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
Vina Vie Manent: 🍇🍇🍇

Starting the day off at Neyen, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Our lunch spot - Via Montes, Colchagua Valley, Chile

There's a Sherpa hiding in the vineyards #qualityvintage

Drop of red at lunch, Vina Montes, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Sun lounges at Vina Vie Manent, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Tip: Sleeping on a quiet backroad amongst the vineyards, drifting off to sleep was easy. It was a balmy evening so full pyjamas weren't necessary. How wrong we were. At 11pm, we awoke to flashing green lights outside our van and a knock on the door. It was the Carabiniers - the Chilean police. You can only imagine what they were thinking as we scrambled to put clothes on to address their concerns. I'm not sure who was more embarrassed, them or us. Once they realised conversing with us in Espanol was the equivalent of talking to a 2 year old, they gave up and left us in peace. I can only imagine the story they took back to their troops 😱

Sleeping in the vineyards, Vina Vie Manent, Colchagua Valley, Chile

Aconcagua

Vineyards in the desert? Sure! Made possible by Aconcagua, the tallest mountain outside the Himalayas standing at 6,962m. Its glacial waters reach the Aconcagua wine region and must have magic powers.

Wineries:

Flaherty Wines: Jumping out of our glass and into our mouths was their 2014 bottle which put them on the map. Craig was the host with the most, over pouring at every opportunity with no complaints from us 🍇🍇🍇🍇

“Smells like the herbs off a frozen Ristorante pizza when cooked”

— Sherpa

Tip: Accidentally got locked in a private vineyard assuming the stunning riverside was public land. Thank goodness for the local farmers working the Sunday shift - our van would not have handled ramming the gates.

ARGENTINA

Maipu, Mendoza

Pronounced 'My-poo' *immature giggles* this region produces stellar wines but lacks the quintessential beauty of the other regions. You can't have it all. Hiring bikes made it a little more interesting.

Wineries:

Wine museum owned by Rutini that produces a label we love, Trumpeter.: Not sure that having 3 full glasses prior to 11:30 was the smartest way to start the day...but when in Rome. 🍇🍇🍇
Carinae: This place is a labour of love with every wine themed around the owners love of astrology. Try them all 🍇🍇🍇
Tempus Alba: Don't bother 👎
Cerveceria: Home to local craft beer garden for a palette cleanser 🍇🍇

Drop of the region: Carinae 2009 Prestige Malbec

“This has a distinct farmyard smell...but it’s very nice”

— Sherpa

A 'tasting' at the wine museum - 11am. Try riding a bike after these glasses, Maipu Valley, Argentina

Valle de Uco, Mendoza

The. Most. Beautiful. Wine. Region. The towering Andes mountains hold their own - add endless rows of vineyards at their base and you'll want bow down to the wine goddess.

Wineries:

Bodega Raffy: Unbelievable! Out of the barrel tasting revealed the most incredible Malbec. Their 2011 Malbec, Tursos, warmed our hearts, and is available in Australia. It's not a cellar door, we simply rolled up in our daggy campervan, were welcomed by the winemaker and tasted everything in sight. 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇
La Azul: Top drops by winemakers who are total purists. No mixing their Malbec with other varieties. You were tasting the true power of the Andes. Their restaurant is unmissable - every course paired with a different bottle. 🍇🍇🍇🍇🍇