🌟 Final Day in Santiago & An Incredible Experience at Kingston Family Vineyards 🍷
Location: Casablanca Wine Region, Chile
Date: Wednesday, 05 November 2025
Weather: 51-76°F
Today, Chuck and I had the pleasure of visiting the Kingston Family Vineyards for an unforgettable private Chilean cooking class paired with a delightful three-course lunch. Our local guide, Jose, took us off a remote country road and onto a hidden palm-lined drive, heightening our anticipation as we approached the stunning winery.
As we stepped out of our vehicle, we were warmly welcomed by Carolina, our personal hospitality associate, who greeted us with a refreshing glass of Rosé. She introduced us to the intimate tasting salon that offered breathtaking views of the Casablanca Valley and shared the rich history of the Kingston family and their vineyards.
Our adventure began with an enlightening tour of the property, winery, and cellar, culminating in a fabulous barrel tasting of their 2022 Kingston Family CJ Syrah—absolutely stunning!
Next, we joined Chef Rodrigo for an incredible cooking class. We were excited yet curious about the day’s menu. Our first task was to prepare a marinated Chilean Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi, complemented by pumpkin flatbread, Chilean pebre (similar to pico de gallo), guacamole purée, and a Chardonnay Sour reminiscent of a Pisco Sour.
After impressing Chef Rodrigo with our culinary skills, we enjoyed our Chardonnay Sour on the open-air veranda, soaking in the beauty of the Casablanca Valley. The sashimi was paired perfectly with a 2024 Kingston Family Sauvignon Blanc, showcasing Chef Rodrigo’s artistry in presentation and flavor.
The culinary journey continued with two more exquisite courses, including a mouthwatering grilled beef filet, each paired impeccably by Carolina. The grand finale was a refreshing raspberry sorbet drizzled with chocolate Pinot Noir sauce and fresh strawberries, accompanied by a delightful 2023 Kingston Family Merlot—simply fantastic!
All the Kingston Family wines we tasted today were beautifully crafted: well-rounded with a great tannic structure, perfectly balanced, and boasting vibrant acidity. The pairings were spot on—simply, wow!
Kingston Family Vineyards masterfully blends the best of Old and New World winemaking, producing small lots of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from their cool climate, hillside vineyards. They are one of the few Chilean vineyards harnessing Californian viticulture expertise to unlock the potential of their unique terroir, led by their talented winemaker, Andres Campana.
We highly recommend this extraordinary gastronomic excursion for anyone visiting Chile’s Casablanca wine region. It was an outstanding experience, and we can’t wait to return!
Cheers,
Susan and Chuck