Encierra Vineyard: Private wine tasting tour with owners

Summary

Tasting grapes straight from the vine in Chile’s Encierra

Walk through Encierra Vineyard with its owners, taste grapes straight from the vines, learn winemaking secrets in their boutique winery, and sample premium wines in a relaxed setting. You’ll feel like part of the family for an hour — an experience that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I almost missed the turnoff to Encierra Vineyard. My phone’s map spun out, and I ended up at a neighbor’s gate before looping back. But when I finally pulled in, one of the owners, Isabel, was already waving me down with this easy smile. The air smelled like warm earth and something sweet — maybe the grapes themselves? It felt quieter than I expected, just birds and the crunch of gravel under my shoes.

We started right in the vineyard rows. Isabel handed me a grape — Carmenere, she said — and told me to taste it before anything else. It was tart but not sharp, kind of sticky on my fingers. She explained how each grape matures at its own pace; I tried to guess which ones were ready (I got it wrong). Her husband joined us halfway through, joking about my pronunciation (“Encierra” is trickier than it looks), and pointed out how the leaves change color as harvest gets closer. There was no rush — we just wandered, talking about weather and family stories mixed with winemaking facts.

The winery itself is small but full of life: barrels stacked along one wall, a faint smell of yeast hanging in the cool air. Isabel showed us every step from crushing to bottling — she even let me touch some of the equipment (sticky again). The tasting felt more like sitting around someone’s kitchen table than any “premium” experience I’d imagined. We tried their Encierra Vineyard Reserve first (deep and earthy), then Carmenere, Rosé, and finally their Icono Porel wine. Each sip came with another story or a laugh about past harvests gone sideways.

Before leaving, we stopped by their family chapel where the founder’s ashes rest. It was quiet inside; sunlight slanted across old wood benches. I didn’t expect that part to hit me so much — maybe because everything here feels personal, like you’re being let in on something private but happy to be shared. Even now, I still think about that first grape and how different it tasted from anything in a bottle.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Winery Visit and Wine Tasting

• Visit winery and learn vineyard history
• Tour vineyards and learn about vines
• Taste wines from the vineyard
• Visit family chapel

Top questions

How long does the Encierra Vineyard wine tour last?

The visit lasts around 1 hour from start to finish.

Is this wine tasting tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Are children or infants allowed on this tour?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

Who leads the wine tasting at Encierra Vineyard?

The vineyard owners personally guide you through the experience.

What wines are included in the tasting?

You’ll taste Encierra Vineyard Reserve, Carmenere, Rosé, and Icono Porel wines.

Is transportation included for this day trip?

No transportation is mentioned; guests arrive independently at Encierra Vineyard.

Are non-alcoholic drinks available during the tour?

Soda/pop and bottled water are included along with wine tastings.

What’s included

Your visit includes guided walks through the vineyard with its owners, tastings of premium wines such as Encierra Reserve and Carmenere plus Rosé and Icono Porel labels, as well as bottled water and soda if you want something non-alcoholic along the way.