Viña Tarapacá 3 July 2004 The landlord of Artie's office invited Mauricio and his family and us for lunch at the winery. Felipe is a part owner of this world famous winery, one of Chile's major exporters.
Driving several miles after entering the winery gate, we came upon this Spanish style chapel. This, the museum, the bodega and the mansion from the 1920's set a tone for a different style of life.

Before Felipe and his family arrived, we wandered around, enjoying the grounds.
Sebastian studied the fountain, and was helped up this tree by his dad, Mauricio.
Felipe and Mauricio chatted in front of the fireplace in the grand entrance hall overlooking the swimming pool. This two story reception hall of marble and stone is beautifully decorated with many antiques that Felipe personally selected.

The interior courtyard and the exterior terrace provide beautiful views, as do the windows in the 14 bedrooms, each with their private baths. The house and grounds are available for weddings and special events.
Felipe's mother-in-law, Fanny, and wife, Denise, took a moment to enjoy the view.

We had a delicious lunch at the 20 foot long dining room table that also doubles as a conference table for the board of directors meetings.
Jesús and María Ignacia, the two youngest of Felipe and Denise's seven children, joined us for the afternoon. We enjoyed taking and sharing our digital pictures.

And then it was time for a private tour of the winery, led by Felipe.

The cavernous warehouse and process area (bodega) was a place of light and shadows on this winter Saturday. Only the wine was working during this off season period.
Denise explained the process to her son, and Mauricio checked out a tank.

A group of Chilean folk musicians and dancers was on the grounds having professional photos taken in this picturesque place while we were exploring the bodega and the winery's museum.

While they were getting set for photos in front of the museum...
they let Artie and Margy join the group for our own picture taking.

Afterwards, they performed the cueca, the national dance of Chile.

Fanny, Patty and Denise chatted out under the trees as the sun got low in the sky.
Before we called it a day, we gathered in the warmth of the fire. Alexandro is closest to the fireplace, and his sister Natalia is between her parents. Great wine and great memories at Viña Tarapacá! Back to Artie and Margy's Homepage