Features

Sip Of Life

30 Jun 2009 by intern22

Über-luxurious vacations are made of the lush surroundings of wine resorts paired with the world’s best wine-drinking experiences, Joshua Tan discovers

Like the cultivation of the vine which involves time and patience for it to bear fruit, a seasoned wine drinker takes years to master the art of smell and taste. Similarly, wine tourism has grown slowly, bringing vineyards and the resorts that have sprung up around them ever closer to the sophisticated traveller and avid oenophile. Here are four to consider for the next holiday.

CHILE

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Winery and Lodge, Colchagua Valley

Set in the heart of lush Chilean wine country about 200km south of the capital, Santiago, the Clos Apalta Winery and Lodge caters especially for those wanting absolute privacy while sipping  their favourite vintage.

Exclusivity is the word as there are only four cottages, located between the Lapostolle vineyards and the Apalta hills, which can accommodate up to eight visitors at any one time.

The pride and joy of the vineyard is Casa Lapostolle’s iconic Clos Apalta, a red wine made from a blend of four grape varieties found in the vineyard – Cabernet, Merlot, Carmenere and Petit Verdot, which the four cottages are named after.

At mealtimes, guests get to choose from Casa Lapostolle’s full portfolio of wines that are distributed to over 70 countries – from the young and fresh Casa Sauvignon Blanc or Casa Chardonnay to the collectors’ wines, Casa Lapostolle’s famous Borobo and Clos Apalta red wine blends.

The scenic location of the vineyard and residence coupled with facilities offer a variety of activities during the stay, such as treks through the natural terrain, horseback riding through the vineyard and two types of massages, Relaxation and Aromatherapy.

How to get there: By car, take the Ruta 5 al Sur from Santiago towards San Fernando and get off at the exit Ruta del Vino to Santa Cruz. The Casa Lapostolle winery is at kilometre 36 and about 1km down is a sign saying “Apalta” on the right. Turn in and the residence is 4km down.

Local buses also travel from Santiago to Santa Cruz. Get down at kilometre 36 and take a taxi to the residence.

Prices: US$450 a night for two single beds and US$550 a night for one double bed (overnight and breakfast) during the high season from November 1 to April 30. US$380 a night for two single beds and US$480 a night for one double bed during the low season from May 1 to October 31. Rates include Clos Apalta Winery visit and private tasting. Activities cost separately.

Contact: Colchagua Valley, O’Higgins, tel 56 7295 3360, www.casalapostolle.com/LapostolleResidence

ITALY

Hotel Relais Borgo San Felice

Located in San Felice, a quaint medieval hamlet in Tuscany, the four-star Hotel Relais Borgo is an hour’s drive from Florence and two-and-a-half hours from Rome. The area is known for producing Chianti, a red wine made from mixing 70 percent Sangiovese, 15 percent Canaiolo and 15 percent Malvasia Bianca grapes. Visitors have the unique experience of living in a rural village nestled within hills covered in vineyards and olive groves.

Established in 1990, the hotel is part of the French chain Relais & Châteaux and comprises 43 rooms and suites in several stone buildings.

Besides indulging in the local wines, visitors can also go for wine therapy sessions using the elements and valuable resources found in grapes to counteract the process of skin ageing.

The hotel has other facilities as well, such as a heated swimming pool, tennis courts, and putting and pitching greens for those itching for a swing.

Served at Borgo San Felice is a selection of 14 wines produced in the Agricola San Felice, one of Chianti’s largest vineyards, with some 200ha of vines. Guests can enjoy traditional Chianti Classicos and Riserva wines, along with other reds such as Campogiovanni, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, and Vigorello at the hotel’s connecting restaurant, Poggio Rosso, which serves traditional Tuscan dishes. In addition, the hotel features another local product, extra virgin olive oil that is made from olives grown in San Felice itself.

How to get there: By car, take the A1 Highway Rome-Florence from Rome and exit in Valdichiana towards Siena. After about 30km, turn right to Castelnuovo Berardenga and pass the village of Castelnuovo Berardenga following the sign to Gaiole in Chianti. Keep driving on this road (SS 484) and pass the village of Villa a Sesta. After Villa a Sesta keep following signs to San Felice.

Prices: From US$322 per night in a single room with queen-size bed. All prices include 10 percent VAT and cost for breakfast, heated swimming pool, fitness, tennis, pitching and putting green, and bicycles.

Contact: 53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena), tel 39 0577 3964, www.borgosanfelice.com

AUSTRALIA

Tuscany Wine Estate Resort, Hunter Valley, New South Wales

This resort is found in the wine-producing region of Hunter Valley, whose grapes are famous for making Shiraz, Semillion, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and small quantities of Pinot Noir.

Set on 10.5ha of prime wine estate, a two-hour drive from Sydney, the four-star resort has 38 rooms, comprising 26 Olive Grove and 12 Vineyard View Rooms. Its special visitors include the outback wildlife such as kangaroos.

The scenic area allows for a wide range of activities including horse riding, golfing and ballooning, which can be arranged at the hotel. Guests can sign up for a variety of tours such as the horse and carriage winery tour featuring gourmet lunch and tours of a selection of wineries, and visits to the Arrowfield Cellar Door and Binnorie Dairy soft cheese factory, also within the estate.

Guests can also participate in tennis, swimming and even attend a cooking class during their stay. The resort has a restaurant and a barbecue and tapas bar, where wines from the surrounding vineyard are served.

To soothe aches and tired muscles, a team of estate therapists provides in-room massages, while couples wanting a night to themselves, minus the kids, can take advantage of babysitting services as well.

How to get there: By car, take the National 1 Highway (or F3 Freeway) from Sydney towards Newcastle and North Coast. Exit the Freeway at Cessnock and Hunter Valley Vineyards and follow the signs to the town of Cessnock, then to the Visitors Centre, which is located 5km north of Cessnock town, on Allandale Road and Wine Country Drive.

Prices: Midweek rates start at US$198 a night in Olive Grove Rooms and US$214 for Vineyard View Rooms. Weekend packages are available from US$132 and US$144 nightly respectively. Packages and special promotions are also available.

Contact: Corner of Hermitage Road and Mistletoe Lane, Pokolbin NSW 2320, Hunter Valley, tel 61 2 4998 7288, www.tuscanywineestate.com.au

US

South Coast Winery Resort and Spa, California

Located 80km from San Diego and 145km from Los Angeles is the South Coast Winery Resort and Spa – comprising 76 villas and a winery that was named “2008 California State Winery of the Year” after bagging 250 international and domestic wine awards at the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition 2008.

The winery produces over 30 types of wine across four different collections using grapes grown in four vineyards, one of which is on the estate itself and produces the winery’s newest Carter Estate Reserve label.

A tasting of the winery’s award-winning wines can be arranged, as the estate has a wine-tasting room filled with Tuscany-style detailing and featuring wall paintings of the Temecula Valley wine country and its surrounding mountains. For a fee, guests can try the winery’s general and reserved selections in rounds of five tastes.

Guests may also take a tour of the vineyard and witness the production process from start to finish, combined with wine and cheese tasting.

Half- and full-day spas are available as well, featuring various treatments including grapeseed treatments that use the natural rejuvenating properties found in grapes to relax and restore skin.

Hot-air balloon rides over the Temecula Valley can also be had via an external company called California Dreamin’, offering a spectacular bird’s eye view of the valley and beyond.

How to get there: By car, take the 105 East Highway to the 605 South Highway from Los Angeles International Airport and then from the 605 South Highway to the 91 East Highway before going on the 15 South Highway. Exit at Rancho California Road and turn left before going about 10km to South Coast Winery on the right.

Prices: Standard rates start at US$219 nightly in a Deluxe King Villa, exclusive of activity costs.

Contact: 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, California, tel 1 951 587 9463, www.wineresort.com

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