The Colchagua Valley is our favorite wine valley in Chile. More specifically, Apalta Valley is our favorite. It’s a tiny section of Colchagua, famous for producing the best Carmeneres. Which I had never heard of before coming to Chile, but is now my favorite type of wine. And a great story.

Apalta translates to “poor soils” in Mapuche, the local native language. I’ve been on so many tours now I learned that poor soil is what makes the grapevines struggle and produce intense, high-quality fruit.

We returned for the third time to see some new wineries and visit some favorites. Clos Apalta had been on our list, and it did not disappoint.

The winery is built into the side of the mountain. You can see the building poking out as you approach. The design resembles the stakes of a wine barrel. Turns out it’s also the roof of a 7-story winery.

You enter the building on the roof and go down a spiral staircase. You’re now totally in the mountain and can actually touch the granite. Who needs exposed brick when you can have exposed granite.

The grand finale is the family’s wine cellar, where they store vintages of all the wine they ever made. You enter from the barrel room and go down two floors.