Relais & Chateaux Lapostolle Residence

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lapostolle Residence, part of the Lapostolle Clos Apalta winery that was founded in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle (a member of the Marnier-Lapostolle wine and spirits family) and her husband, Cyril de Bournet, is nestled between the foothills of Chilean Coastal Cordillera (mountain range) and the rolling hills of the Colchagua Valley.  As one of the most unique places in Chile to experience, the Lapostolle Residence delivers sophisticated comfort, exceptional winemaking practices and culinary mastery.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111011/LA84171)

In early 2011, the Lapostolle Residence became the first property to be recognized by the Relais & Chateaux collection, an international organization whose rigorous standards signify the creme de la creme in the hospitality industry.  

Sophisticated Comfort

The lush landscape surrounding the Lapostolle Residence boasts picturesque views offering more than 650 hectares of hillside and vineyards for exploration.  The awe-inspiring, unobstructed views can be appreciated from the "Main House" of the residence – a space where guests will enjoy everything from a romantic candlelit dinner al fresco to a dip in the infinity pool – or from one of the four private and serene casitas (villas/suites).  Every detail of design and architecture serves to enhance the winery's connection to the exceptional natural terrain of the region.

Named after each grape varietal used to blend the property's award-winning wine, Clos Apalta, each casita was individually designed and tastefully decorated by Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle herself.   Decor is inspired by one of four namesake grape varietals:  the Carmenere suite, inspired by the signature Chilean grape; the Merlot suite; the Petit Verdot suite; and the Cabernet Sauvignon suite.

Each with a terrace and small garden, the stunning views from the casitas can be appreciated while unwinding in a more private setting.  Lapostolle Residence can also make arrangements for in-room relaxation massages and other special requests.  The hospitable staff can accommodate guests with a more adventurous spirit looking to explore the beautiful property and surrounding area via horse-back, mountain bike or a hike.  

Exceptional Winemaking

When Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle and her husband first arrived in Chile's Colchagua Valley, just south of Santiago, they quickly realized its potential for producing world-class wines.  This ideal setting, which was revitalized in 1995, was home to vines originating from pre-phylloxera rootstock brought from Bordeaux in the 1800's.  

Additionally, organic and biodynamic practices have been implemented in the winery and today these management practices are implemented 100%, which means that Lapostolle vineyards use no pesticides and work in tandem with the land to fertilize and cultivate crops that are 100% certified organic.

In its short history Lapostolle wines have consistently ranked highly (90+ points) among reputable wine trade publications, a testament of the rigorous standards implemented at the winery to produce outstanding wines.  Some recent examples include:

• The 2005 vintage of Lapostolle's top cuvee, Clos Apalta, was recognized as the #1 wine in the world by Wine Spectator in a blind tasting of over 20,000 wines.  Similarly, the 2001 and 2000 vintages were named the #2 and #3 wines in the world, respectively, when they were released.  
• Wine Enthusiast awarded Lapostolle "New World Winery of the Year" in 2008.
• The Cuvee Alexandre wines have received unprecedented world class ratings:
  • Chardonnay 8 vintages of 90+ ratings in a row
  • Merlot 7 vintages of 90+ ratings
  • Cabernet Sauvignon 7 vintages of 90+ ratings
  • Syrah 7 vintages of 90+ ratings

These first-class wines find their home in an equally amazing winery at the Lapostolle Residence property.  At the Clos Apalta winery, wine alchemy is achieved in a setting of immaculate architecture.

The unique design concept, developed by renown Chilean architect, Roberto Benavente Riquelme, places emphasis on core values and commitment to the terroir and nature in relation to wine making.  It all started with the excavation during the initial building process.  Instead of discarding the large rocks that were found at this time, they were instead converted into floor slabs and placed throughout the winery maintaining a harmonious relationship with nature.  

Furthermore, the entire wall in the wine library, which rests comfortably at the lowest level and is flanked by a state of the art glass tasting table in the room above, is etched out from the natural granite rocks that already existed in that space.  The surrounding beams on the face of the building, of which there are exactly 24, represent the number of months it takes to produce the extraordinary wine, Clos Apalta, while the sundial on the roof of the winery is comprised of 5 granite stones.  The stones are an allegory of the yearly biological cycle of the vine: Shooting, Flowering, Fruit set, Veraison and Harvest, and each individual stone is located at the season and hour when the vineyard is undergoing that process.

The construction was conceptualized so that the wine making process also naturally flowed downwards with the aid of gravity only.  These small, but exact details create an organic space for the production and appreciation of Lapostolle's quality Chilean wines.  

Culinary Mastery

Artfully prepared traditional Chilean cuisine, pairing exceptionally well with the Lapostolle wine portfolio, is one of the savory experiences at the Residence.  Highly trained chefs develop and execute seasonal menus where many of the ingredients can be sourced from the on-premise organic and biodynamic gardens; when ingredients are not available directly they are sourced from local purveyors.  A sampling of delicious dishes and Lapostolle wine pairings include:

• Traditional Chilean empanadas filled with melted cheese and mushrooms, paired with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.
• A velvety cream of corn soup topped with crispy fried basil leaves, paired with Chardonnay.
• Fresh grilled salmon with a Merlot reduction alongside spring quinoa and roasted seasonal vegetables, paired with the bold Borobo.  
• Organic beef steak with a Carmenere sauce accompanied with a side of traditional Charquican (mixture of potatoes, corn, onions, pumpkin, minced meat and sometimes peas), paired with Clos Apalta.

In addition to a well-thought out menu, the highly trained wait staff creates the most hospitable environment whether enjoying a casual aperitif or an elegant dinner.  The result at Lapostolle Residence is a highly regarded experience that expresses the region's best attributes.  

SOURCE Lapostolle