36 Hours in Santiago: Five Winery Experiences for Private Jet Travelers

Top Destinations by Private Jet in Chile’s Wine Country

Chile is a destination for wine lovers. The country’s diverse wine-growing regions encompass over 1,000 miles along its 2,700-mile-long coast with elevations up to 7,000 feet, making it especially well suited to private jet travel. Below we explore the attributes of Chilean wine, along with oenophile experiences to include on your itinerary and the best airports for your trip.

Chilean Wine: Outstanding Viticulture in Climates Best Reached by Private Jet

What makes Chilean wines so unique? The diverse geography and climate of Chile’s wine-growing regions define the character of its exceptional wines, from the South Pacific Ocean on the country’s west coast, the desert in the north, the Andes Mountains in the east and Patagonia’s rugged mountain terrain and glacial fjords in the south.

The Atacama forms the northernmost border of Chile’s winemaking regions. Climate conditions in this desert region help create sweet grapes used to produce Pisco, a type of brandy, or distilled grape wine, used to make the Pisco sour, considered Chile’s national drink. Chile’s southernmost wine-growing regions include the Bío Bío Valley, where rustic varieties of país and muscatel have been cultivated for hundreds of years. The Malleco region produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer, a grape that produces white wine.

Today, Chile is recognized worldwide for producing high-quality red and white wines with outstanding character, especially its rich, fruity Cabernet Sauvignon. The story of viticulture in America began with the famous explorer Christopher Columbus who first brought grapevines to America, but the vine didn’t flourish.

During the time of the Spanish Conquistadors, altar wine was the spiritual drink for these devout Catholics. In 1524, Hernán Cortés, known as the conqueror of the Aztec Empire, became the first person to cultivate wine successfully in America, in the Highlands of Mexico. Grapevines were eventually introduced throughout South America and were brought to Peru and Chile in 1548 by Francisco de Carabantas, a Spanish friar.

Just south of Santiago, at the center of Chile, lies the Maipo Valley. Chile’s oldest wineries began production here as early as 1555. Leisure travelers on a limited timeline can take in the essence of Chile’s wine-growing culture in this historic region.

Wine Tasting Experience for your Chilean Private Jet Journey

Here are five experiences at two famous wineries that you and your loved ones will cherish long after your departure:

1. Wine Tasting at the Foot of the Andes Mountains

Located ten miles east of Santiago at the foot of the Andes, Viña Aquitania’s contemporary roots began in the Bordeaux region of France when respected winemakers Bruno Prats and Paul Pontallier became interested in creating a unique vineyard in Chile. In 1984, they partnered with their friend and Chilean winemaker, Felipe de Solminihac, to purchase land in the heart of the Maipo Valley that became Viña Aquitania.

At Viña Aquitania, you can learn about the entire winemaking process and how the progression of technology has allowed the vineyard to reduce its environmental impact while producing high-quality wines more efficiently. You’ll also see decades-old traditions taking place in real-time. The careful manual labeling of each bottle is an essential step in the winemaking process that is undertaken to preserve the traditional practices associated with growing, cultivating, bottling and hand-labeling of each bottle.

The Viña Aquitania wines available for your personalized tasting include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Lazuli, Solutsol Brut Nature Aquitania Rosé, Aquitania Reserve – Cabernet-Sauvignon and Aquitania Reserve – Chardonnay.

2. Gourmet Picnic in the Scenic Maipo Valley

If you would like to take in the fresh air of Chile’s majestic Maipo Valley and a gourmet picnic, visit Viña Santa Rita, only 9.7 miles from Santiago.

When businessman Don Domingo Fernández Concha founded Viña Santa Rita in 1880, he brought the finest French grape varieties to the Maipo Valley with top winemakers from France, along with specialized equipment and techniques. Together, they helped redefine how wine was produced in Chile.

After you learn more about this historic winery, your host will provide a picnic hamper and a colorful Chilean blanket. Your gourmet picnic will include a selection of cheeses and cold cuts, chips, sandwiches, fruits and nuts, homemade crackers, mineral water, and, of course, a delicious selection of wines that have been perfected in this vineyard over the past 135 years.

3. Bike and Wine Tour Across Maipo Valley

Another popular way to experience Viña Santa Rita and the scenery of the Maipo Valley is by bicycle. On the Bike and Wine Tour, you’ll see postcard-perfect views of the vineyards with the Andes Mountains in the backdrop. The hardest part of this bicycle tour is not taking pictures while riding your bike!

4. Learn About Chile’s National Symbol: The Carménère

Carménère wines are a national symbol of Chile. The story of this grape was nearly lost to history because it disappeared from European vineyards in the mid-19^th Century. On your guided tour at Viña Santa Rita, you’ll take a covered horse carriage to visit the monastery where the Carménère strain was rediscovered in 1994 and learn how this grape was mistaken for Merlot for more than a century.

The Carménère is known for producing wines with red fruit flavors, with a pepper note. What gives the wine a pepper note? Winegrowers at Viña Santa Rita state that aroma compounds called pyrazines give Carménère, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines subtle flavors of bell pepper, green peppercorn, eucalyptus, and even cocoa powder.

Co-founder of Wine Folly Madeline Puckette, says winemakers may include other wines to subtly change the flavor profile of Carménère wines, adding notes of blueberry, blackberry and black plum. Fine Carménère wines have dense, ripe, and robust flavors of plums, berries, and cocoa notes, along with a creamy mid-palate and fine-grained tannins.

After your Carménère tour, you’ll relax and enjoy a wine tasting of three ultra-premium wines paired with gourmet cheeses, cookies and nuts. Keep in mind that some of the best-rated Chilean wines have alcohol percentage ranges between 14.5% – 15%.

5. Be a Winemaker for a Day

If you’re interested in a hands-on learning experience, try your hand at winemaking on this unique tour at Viña Santa Rita. You’ll create a signature wine with a small group of fellow tourists. Together, your group will work with the same equipment used by top enology laboratories. You’ll learn about the processes that are used to produce wine, including bottling, corking, labeling and varnishing. To celebrate your team’s accomplishment, you’ll each take home a bottle of your signature wine. You’ll also receive an embroidered apron as a souvenir to remember your day as a winemaker at one of Chile’s premier vineyards.

Your experience in Chile’s Maipo Valley is guaranteed to be memorable. Chile’s natural beauty, rich culture and people who make up this “country of poets” have carefully crafted the art of winemaking from the first vines that were brought to Chile centuries ago. Today, Chile is known for its world-class wines infused with the Chilean spirit and a unique taste created by a diversity of natural elements; its altitude, rainfall, sunshine, cool, crisp evenings and refreshing coastal breezes.

What Airport Should I Use for My Private Charter Flight to Santiago?

Private jets have several key performance advantages over commercial aircraft. Versatile private jets have access to significantly more airports than commercial jets, including small regional airports with shorter runways.

Airport Serving Santiago, Chile

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCEL) is the primary airport that serves Santiago. The airport is also known as Santiago International Airport and Nuevo Pudahuel Airport and is located 9.3 miles northwest of downtown Santiago. The airport’s runway length is 12,303 feet.

What type of aircraft should I use for my private charter flight?

A private jet can be matched to suit almost any travel plan from short trips to long-range cross-continental charters. Jets range from heavy, super midsize, midsize to light jets. Midsize and light jets accommodate fewer passengers than heavy jets, but they are also designed to maximize passenger comfort and utility. Flights to Santiago that originate from the U.S. will typically use heavy or super midsize aircraft that have extended range and performance required for your charter flight to Chile.

Private jet flights to/from Santiago typically operate using heavy or super midsize aircraft types:

Heavy jets such as the Bombardier Global 6000, Dassault Falcon 7x and the Embraer Lineage 1000E are popular selections for international private charters for flights with several private jet charter passengers.

Heavy jets have unmatched versatility with the ability to carry up to 19 passengers in comfort. Your jet’s configuration can be matched to accommodate your flight to Santiago to maximize the comfort and enjoyment of amenities that come standard with this class of jet.

At a cruise speed of 564 miles per hour, the Bombardier Global 6000 is capable of flying high above most commercial airliners, with a ceiling of 51,000 feet. The Global 6000 is frequently configured with three seating areas. The placement of windows on the fuselage maximizes natural light in the cabin, greatly enhancing the interior design aesthetics. The Global 6000 has a range of 6,000 nautical miles and a baggage capacity of 410 cubic feet, including 110 cubic feet of internal baggage storage.

The Dassault Falcon 7x is a large-cabin, triple-engine, long-range business jet manufactured by the French-based Dassault Aviation. With a capacity to carry up to 18 passengers, the Falcon 7x cabin is one of the most comfortable available. The cabin is separated into three zones with convenient controls for temperature, lighting and entertainment. The Falcon 7x has a range of 6,586 miles and a baggage capacity of 131 cubic feet.

With the ability to configure the cabin from dozens of options and generous baggage capacity, the Embraer Lineage 1000E is one of the best options for charter clients. The Embraer Lineage 1000E has a flight range of 4,200 miles and a baggage capacity of 443 cubic feet.

Heavy jet amenities include Wi-Fi, digital entertainment, catering, a full galley and flight attendant service.

Super Midsize jets such as the Cessna Citation Sovereign, Bombardier Challenger 350 and the Hawker 1000 offer passengers a comfortable flight.

Super midsize jets typically transport a maximum of 9 passengers and feature a stand-up cabin, luggage space and ample legroom.

Private jet charter clients frequently select Cessna’s Citation Sovereign. This sleek jet offers speed and comfort with its capability to fly at Mach .75 while delivering a smooth ride. With a range of 3,276 miles, the Sovereign has a baggage capacity of 135 cubic feet.

The Bombardier Challenger 350 design aesthetics provide passengers with superior private flying experience. With a range of 3,689 miles, the Challenger 350 has a baggage capacity of 106 cubic feet.

The Hawker 1000 is popular amongst private jet charter clients for the jet’s quiet, comfortable cabin and extended range of 3,530 and baggage capacity of 100 cubic feet.

Super midsize jets typically include a full galley, catering and flight attendant service.

Private Jet from Miami (MIA) to Santiago, Chile

Private Jet from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Santiago, Chile

Private Jet from New York (TEB) to Santiago

Private Jet from Austin (AUS) to Santiago

Private Jet from San Francisco (SFO) to Santiago

Private Jet from Los Angeles (KVNY) to Santiago

Private Jet from San Diego (SAN) to Santiago

No matter which winery experience you choose to enjoy in Santiago, a professional charter coordinator will ensure your privately chartered flight experience is flawless. Heavy and Super Midsize private jets include a spacious cabin with zones configured with ultra-comfortable seating, first-class dining with a full galley with flight attendant service, digital entertainment options with an intuitive cabin management system and plenty of baggage space that can be conveniently accessed during flight.

Summary

Chile is an ideal destination for wine lovers, and its diverse wine-growing region make it particularly attractive to visit by private jet. By understanding Chilean wine culture, zeroing in on one-of-kind experiences and choosing the right private jet and airport for your journey, you’ll be toasting this trip for years to come.