Matetic Vineyards Guesthouse

Guest estancia set within an organic winery, offering gourmet food, a tuition in wine-growing and wonderful walks

Here is the perfect place to pamper yourself between the swift pace of Santiago and the coastal charms of Valparaíso - a 100-year-old colonial estancia with only 7 rooms, set in beautifully landscaped gardens and surrounded by the rolling hills of the Rosario Valley. This is one of Chile’s best wine regions: neatly ordered emerald vineyards abound, interwoven with astonishingly steep ravines, and the rich red soil is topped by lush grass and thornbush shrubs.

Loll in a canopied daybed by the pool, stroll past white geese for a gourmet supper in the octagonal lakeside restaurant, and then sink into a peaceful sleep on unbelievably comfortable pillows. We did, and awoke refreshed enough for a morning bike ride through the acres of farmland and vineyards owned by the Matetic family, who have been growing world-famous grapes here for a decade, unusual because they’re organic. Take a tour of the modern winery and taste how their biodynamic method of harvesting has produced some excellent wines, then cycle back to the guesthouse for lunch and a bottle of their signature white, Sauvignon Blanc Coastal. Perfecto.

Highs

• The great food is married with wine from one of Chile's top producers
• Guests have the chance to tour the vineyards, learn about wine production from experts and taste the fruits of their labour
• The tranquil surroundings are ideal for a bit of R&R
• Service is personalised and friendly

Lows

• It’s a little isolated - there are no shops or other restaurants within walking distance
• It’s expensive - though your stay includes dinner, fine wines and a winery tour
• The WiFi signal in the rooms is poor, and there's only one computer which the staff sometimes use
• Expect lots of day trippers in the winery and restaurant