Viña Vik – Master Wine Class   

As if you might need another reason to travel to Chile and visit Viña Vik, a magical destination! The property is an art filled 22-suite avant-garde retreat and wine spa located in Millahue, Chile on the VIK vineyard. Tucked into the heart of Chilean wine country, Viña Vik is a hideaway just two hours south of Santiago. The ultra-modern design, offering uninterrupted views of the mountains and vineyards—encompassing 11,000 acres of unspoiled land—the design is reminiscent of a Frank Gehry structure.  Winemaking is the primary focus here, with 4,500 acres of vineyards hills and native woodland, one of South America’s top vineyards, the property offers rustic yet glamorous refined rooms and outstanding hospitality.

Viña Vik

The vineyard retreat is perched on a hilltop above a lake at the center of this spectacular 11,000-acre vineyard with panoramic 360-degree views of the vines, multiple valleys, hills, forests and mountains up to 1000 meters with the majestic Andes Mountains in the distance.

Viña Vik is offering a truly exceptional Master Class that Master of Wine, Tim Atkin will be leading at the property with their VIK wine team from September 20th to the 23rd, 2018. 

Tim Atkin is one of the most highly recognized wine critics in the world and a very engaging and charming British Master of Wine.  He is also an award-winning wine journalist, broadcaster and commentator and judges several international wine competitions.  He also happens to be an outstanding photographer.

Having Tim as mentor and guide at the vineyard, where he will share his knowledge and delve into topics such as wine making, grape varieties and vines, the similarities and contrasts between France and Chile and the art of pruning promises to be a one of a kind experience. He will also do a blending seminar with the group for you to blend your own VIK wine and will be teaming with the VIK winemakers to explain what VIK has done in their vineyard and in the winery with the latest technology and the best wine making practices to reach for our goal of creating a truly exceptional wine to enter the pantheon of the best in the world. The dedicated Vik Chile team will be ready to unfurl the entire VIK experience for you from the high degree of luxury that the retreat provides with its art, architecture and design to the organic haut cuisine at Milla Milla, the nature of the vineyard, the wine spa’s luxurious treatments, plus outdoor activities as you wish in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Let us know if you are interested in joining what is sure to be a great group in Chile!

It would be hard to choose a favorite room, after my recent trip to Portugal and marveling over all the tiles, my Azuelejo suite at VIK featured a beautiful mural of the Vik family in tiles.

Azuelejo suite

Rooms at Viña Vik are beyond spectacular – 22 rooms: 17 Suites, 4 Master Suites and 1 VIK Master Suite. The suites have fabulous views to the vineyard and nature surrounding Viña Vik. 
- South Wing: Suites and Master Suites overlook the valleys, vineyard, hills and lake with one Master Suite overlooking the Andes Mountain range. North Wing: Suites and Master Suites overlook the Falaris – Colchagua Valley and vineyard with one Master Suite overlooking the Andes Mountain range.

Azuelejo suite Bath

Vina Vik Suite

Wouldn’t you rather be here? Vina Vik

 

Vina Vik, Chile

Story Two –  Viña Vik is an art filled 22-suite avant-garde retreat and wine spa located in Millahue, Chile on the VIK vineyard. The vineyard retreat is perched on a pinnacle above a blue lake with panoramic 360-degree views of the vines, rolling verdant valleys, conical shaped mountains and in the distance, the grand Andes Mountains.

Rising above the grape vines, you might gasp in awe of the structure perched above the linear vines. Although public photos of the custom designed titanium dome roof aren’t allowed to be posted yet, imagine a curvy, wavering sculptural Frank Gehry-esque soaring roof line. First impression is awe-inspiring and all that follows at Vina Vik will continue to excite and astonish.

Hospitality, charm and elegance envelop you from the moment you alight from the car. Friendly wait staff  present a chilled cocktail as you are welcomed into the large living room, refresh and relax – you have arrived!

The living room is actually composed of several hip, chic and colorful seating areas. Each unique and distinctive space is filled with a diverse selection of art: on the walls, imbedded in the glass tabletops, camouflaged as avant-garde lighting, a curated collection.Hard to take your eyes off the art, but a courtyard Asian influenced garden beckons, just through the floor to ceiling glass walls. The 22 suites are built around the edges of a Zen garden. Massive windows and sliding doors flood each room with the awe-inspiring countryside vistas. Similar to their Uruguayan VIK retreats, a drop-dead infinity pool cantilevered over the valley is a tempting oasis. Spend a late hot afternoon in a chaise or one of the cozy cabana type nesting chairs or saunter back late afternoon for a sunset yoga class on the pool deck, hovering above the valley and the lake.

Leisure or active – you choose from the long list of pursuits: guided tours through the VIK winery, horseback excursions through the vineyard and surrounding mountain trails or tours on mountain bicycles. Cooking classes in the original 4-room cabin near the winery, or savor a breakfast in the vineyards, eggs collected that morning from the apparently free-range chickens! Camp breakfast served in the absolute pinnacle of al fresco standards.

Dining options, glassed walled dining room, a table for two in the vineyards, massive barbeques served Chilean style with every cut of meat imaginable, traditional barbecue is an art form in Chile. Food focus is on fresh, local and seasonal and mostly organic produce; the menu can include house made smoked salmon, bacon and duck prosciutto, and ice cream and sorbet. The superb chefs easily accomplish dietary restrictions. Following adventurous excursions, guests may savor delicious gastronomic treats from exceptional four course high culinary experiences to barbeques set amidst the vineyard hacienda enjoying Chilean inspired cuisine paired with exquisite VIK wine.

Indulge in the tranquil spa, where the wine theme continues; several grape-themed treatments, such as the VIK Experience, which includes an in house designed scrub of grape seeds and pieces of grape; a wrap in grape seed extract, and a massage with grape seed lemongrass oil. The after massage room is decorated with bright yellow chaise providing views of the spa garden; warm winds gently waft through the open doors, the only sound is the gently ruffling of the grassy garden. Soothing art with barely discernible moving images complete the tranquil experience. Elements which will guarantee a peaceful nap.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe Rooms

My Scrumptious Suite – Azulejo

With remote control-operated panoramic windows overlooking mountain and vineyard vistas, each individual suite showcases a different artist and theme, with over half the works created by Chileans in an effort to introduce talented local artisans to an international stage.

Highlights include a bathroom covered entirely in pennies; a wall mural of hand crafted Portuguese blue-tiles depicting the surrounding wine estate (look closely and you’ll recognize Alexander and Carrie Vik in the scene); a master suite with natural rock floors; and a permanent James Turrell LED light installation within the owner’s suite. Each room is an homage to a different theme and artist – I loved the room incorporating the iconic bright orange Hermes boxes in a nod to a Donald Judd sculpture. Certainly if your taste runs from Japanese Zen Master, to absolute whimsy or over the top old world France, you would be happy here. Visuals rule in the rooms and the outdoor settings – one couldn’t have found a more impressive physical location for Vina Vik Retreat.

Magical combination of art, fine dining, delicious wine, and gorgeous countryside make for a Very Very Sensational VIK Retreat.Fornasetti Suite-0311Living Room-0627Minimalist Suite-0390Retro Suite-0413