For the seventh year, Relais & Châteaux and Slow Food have created an annual Food for Change campaign to protect local biodiversity and culinary heritage.
 
This year the focus is cheese, wine and ferments. 
 
“To give everyone the right to ‘good, clean and fair food for all,’ no product should be left behind. Cheeses, dairy products, wine, and other traditional fermented products such as beer and saké reflect the diversity of ancestral practices, unique flavour profiles, and various landscapes that the Relais & Châteaux properties care about protecting.” – Mauro Colagreco Vice President (Chefs), Relais & Châteaux
 
In general, Chile is known for its red wine, especially varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmere which grow in the central part of this long, thin country.

The restaurant at Awasi Atacama – Relais & Chateaux

At Awasi, our sommeliers work together with the teams in our three Relais & Chateaux restaurants to showcase wine producers and centuries-old varieties with sustainable productions.
 
Our wine lists range between large and small wineries, achieving a balance that is demonstrated with the pairings every night. Our sommeliers aim to create an almost educational and very interactive gastronomic experience.

Although both hotels serve wines from all over the country, at Awasi Patagonia sommelier, Gabriela Sampaio, makes selections based largely on the southern regions (such as the Itala Valley, Maule and Bio Bio).

Whilst at Awasi Atacama, sommelier Alvaro Alarcón tries to prioritize northern regions (such as the of Atacama, the Copiapó valley, etc.).

A picnic in the Atacama Desert by Awasi 

Here are some examples of our favourite wine selected by Awasi sommeliers.
 
Tara Viognier Fifth Edition, NV, Atacama, Chile

A unique wine, produced in a natural way from Viognier grapes grown in the saline and limestone soils of the Huasco Valley in the Atacama region of northern Chile. Non-vintage wine with vibrant and intriguing notes of orange peel and pine nuts with a distinctive saline tang to the finish.

Shows the character of its origin very well, expressing desert character.

At Awasi Atacama we create picnics in the middle of the desert, far from the crowds

Connection with Awasi Atacama, Northern Chile

At our Relais & Chateaux restaurant in Atacama we pair wines with these characteristics with dishes such as “scallop empanada”…
 
The fried oyster and cheese empanada is a comfort food type dish, very traditional in the area and very popular among our guests. We like to introduce simple dishes with noble ingredients and comforting flavors from time to time.

Where you are served your meal, and how it is presented is as important as what you are eating 

Even though we are in one of the most arid deserts in the world, all of Chile has high-quality seafood and Atacama is no exception, so it is a pleasant surprise to use these flavours in our menu.
 
The saline of this strain perfectly combines the balance between the desert and the sea, and the nutty notes accompany well the fresh cheeses used for the filling.

The Main Lodge at Awasi Patagonia – Relais Chateaux

Gonzalez Bastias Naranjo, 2021, Maule Valley, Chile

Hailing from the heart of the Maule Valley, Chile, this orange wine is made from a blend of Torontel, Moscatel and País, from one of the oldest vineyards in the world, with 60 days spent macerating on the skins. On the nose, expect notes of white flowers and stone fruit carrying through on a fresh palate.

Enjoy with spicy food and Asian cuisine.

Guanaco steak at Awasi Patagonia – Relais & Chateaux

Connection with Awasi Patagonia, Torres del Paine

In Patagonia, we pair a very similar orange wine from the country variety, with the dish “guanaco tartar”:
 
A cold and fresh starter, accompanied by pickled cucumbers, lemon puree, fried sourdough bread crumbs.
 
Here we are looking for a wine that will accompany it and will deliver freshness, lots of red berries like cherries, but above all an acidity that provides a balance of highlighting flavours and cleansing the palate.
 
It has been a dish that stands out in presentation and pairing, even due to the type of meat used and the history of the wine.

One of the picnics during a stay at Awasi Patagonia

Awasi Atacama and Awasi Patagonia are boutique Relais & Chateaux hotels in the north and south of Chile. The two properties combine to show you the best of Atacama and Patagonia.

At Awasi, each room is given a private guide and dedicated 4×4 vehicle for the duration of each stay.