The six-level gravity winery
A dramatic cellar carved six levels into the hillside, where the wine moves only by gravity — no pumps — one of the most ambitious winery designs in South America.
Lapostolle · Clos Apalta · Colchagua Valley
Private tour to the architecture-winery of Apalta
A private Lapostolle tour in Apalta: a spectacular six-level winery built into the hillside and run entirely by gravity, Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards and a tasting of the icon Clos Apalta — a Carmenère-led blend rated 100 points by James Suckling. With hotel pickup from Santiago in a Jaguar XF or Porsche Cayenne.
- 6 levelsGravity-flow winery buried in the hill
- 2 h 30From Santiago to the Apalta amphitheater
- DemeterCertified biodynamic vineyards
- 100 ptsClos Apalta · James Suckling
The story
A French vision and a 100-point icon
Founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, of the French Grand Marnier family, Lapostolle brought a Bordeaux philosophy to the Apalta amphitheater in Colchagua. Its flagship, Clos Apalta — a Carmenère-led blend from old hillside vines — has been rated 100 points and named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year, putting Chile among the world’s great wines. The winery is a feat of architecture: six levels buried in the hillside, working entirely by gravity, surrounded by Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards. Tourevo arranges private full-day visits with a house sommelier.
Biodynamic vineyards
Demeter-certified biodynamic farming on the steep Apalta slopes, explained on a guided walk through the old-vine Carmenère and Cabernet.
The icon Clos Apalta
Taste the flagship Clos Apalta — a 100-point Carmenère-led blend — alongside the Cuvée Alexandre range, guided by a house sommelier.
Tasting with a sommelier
A private, unhurried premium tasting: terroir, biodynamics, the blend philosophy and pairings, away from any group circuit.
Sample itinerary
Your day at Lapostolle
Full day · ~9 hours · recommended pickup at 08:30. All times are adjustable.
- 08:30 Pickup at your hotel · briefing with your driver-guide
- 11:00 Arrival in Apalta · welcome at Lapostolle Clos Apalta
- 11:15 Tour of the six-level gravity-flow winery
- 12:00 Biodynamic vineyard walk in the Apalta amphitheater
- 12:45 Icon tasting with a sommelier · Clos Apalta + Cuvée Alexandre
- 13:45 Optional gourmet lunch at the Clos Apalta Residence
- 15:00 Return to Santiago · estimated arrival 17:30
· Premium fleet
Travel in an icon
Your tour is door-to-door in a hand-picked vehicle with a professional bilingual chauffeur, bottled water and on-board details included in every kilometer — never a shared van or a fixed schedule.
For couples · city & wine tours
Jaguar XF
British elegance with adaptive suspension, premium sound and Windsor-leather finishes — ideal for the drive from Santiago to the wine valleys.
- Guestsup to 4
- Luggage3 cases
- Engine3.0 Turbo
- Climate4 zones
For families · groups up to 5
Porsche Cayenne
All-wheel drive, generous torque and a cabin built for long journeys — the perfect companion for the wineries plus the Andes the same day.
- Guestsup to 5
- Luggage5 cases
- EngineV6 Turbo
- DriveAWD
For solo travelers · value
MG3 Hybrid+
A modern, efficient hybrid for one or two travelers who want the full private-guide experience at a friendlier price — same service, same care.
- Guestsup to 3
- Luggage2 cases
- EngineHybrid+
- EcoLow CO₂
What our travelers say
Rated 4.9/5 by 861 travelers
4.9
861 verified reviews
“The Jaguar XF, the bilingual driver and an itinerary built exactly to our taste. We visited three vineyards, Valparaíso and the Neruda House without lifting a finger. We’ll be back.”
“I asked for a gastronomy itinerary and Tourevo made it happen: La Vega market, a chef class, a pairing in Colchagua. For a foodie, it’s the best tour I’ve ever done.”
“We did the Maipo Valley with the Cayenne and it was another level. The guide knew every viewpoint and every winery. Truly professional, door to door.”
Plan your visit
Lapostolle Clos Apalta · everything you need to know
A Lapostolle Clos Apalta tour is the most architecturally and oenologically ambitious stop in Colchagua. The winery sits in the Apalta amphitheater, about 2.5 hours from Santiago, so we run it as a comfortable private full day, door-to-door — and you can pair it with neighboring Montes in the same valley.
Visitors ask why Clos Apalta is special and what you taste. The flagship Clos Apalta is a Carmenère-led blend rated 100 points and named Wine of the Year, made in a six-level gravity-flow winery on Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards. The private tour at USD 235 per person includes a sommelier-led tasting of Clos Apalta and the Cuvée Alexandre range, with an optional lunch at the Relais & Châteaux residence.
Popular combinations
Add another icon or experience
Lapostolle shares the Apalta amphitheater with Montes — a natural pairing.
+ Viña Montes
The two icons of Apalta in one day — gravity-flow Lapostolle and feng-shui Montes, minutes apart.
Montes Apalta tour →+ Clos Apalta Residence lunch
A gourmet pairing lunch at the Relais & Châteaux residence between the tour and the tasting.
Colchagua Valley tours →+ Colchagua overnight
Extend into a 2-day Colchagua escape with a vineyard-hotel stay — ask us to design it.
Wine Tours Chile →Frequently asked questions
FAQ · Lapostolle Clos Apalta tour
What does the private Lapostolle tour include?
Round-trip hotel pickup from Santiago in a Jaguar XF or Porsche Cayenne, a bilingual driver-guide, a tour of the six-level gravity-flow winery, a biodynamic vineyard walk, and a premium tasting of Clos Apalta and Cuvée Alexandre with a house sommelier. An optional lunch at the Clos Apalta Residence is quoted separately.
Why is Clos Apalta famous?
Clos Apalta is a Carmenère-led blend from old Apalta vines that has been rated 100 points by James Suckling and named Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year — one of the wines that put Chile on the fine-wine map.
What makes the winery special?
It is built six levels into the hillside and works entirely by gravity, with no pumps, surrounded by Demeter-certified biodynamic vineyards — a landmark of winery architecture in South America.
Which wines will I taste?
The tasting centers on the icon Clos Apalta and the Cuvée Alexandre range. Exact labels and vintages vary with availability.
How far is Apalta from Santiago?
The Apalta amphitheater in Colchagua is about 2.5 hours from Santiago, so we run Lapostolle as a full-day private tour, door-to-door.
Can I combine Lapostolle with Montes?
Yes — they share the Apalta amphitheater and are minutes apart, making them the most natural two-icon Colchagua pairing.
Book your visit to Lapostolle
Tell us how many you are and your date — we confirm availability at Lapostolle and send a final quote in under 24 hours.
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