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If you are considering traveling to Chile in 2022, it’s a great time to start planning as the country has the most complete and aggressive vaccination in South America (over 85% of the adult population is fully vaccinated and there is now zero cases in Patagonia!). Contact us to plan your tripIn Episode 22, we talk a little about the possible forecast for travel in South America in 2022, although the pandemic is always a moving target Listen here.

If you missed Episode 22 on travel in South America, we highly recommend it. Listen here.Explore our destinations in South AmericaContact us to plan your trip

In this episode we talk about: Rodrigo’s background and why a summer job in a restaurant was the beginning of his curiosity about wine.The uncanny timing of an unwanted thesis on organic agriculture opened the door to lifelong learning and working with biodynamic agriculture.A glimpse into the world of wine in Chile in the early 2000s, and then mid-2010s, as he worked with trailblazers Matetic Vineyards and Veramonte.His fascination, and love affair, with California, brought him to LA, then Mendocino, Sonoma, and finally landed him in Napa.The importance and influence of key biodynamic mentors in his life like Alvaro Espinoza and Alan York shaped his path.His knack for coming into wine projects and transforming them, with biodynamic viticulture, to finer wines.Chile & California’s geographical similarities from coastline to weather, and even soil. Culture is another story, though.Resources:Matetic Vineyards (Chile)Benzinger Winery (Napa)Veramonte Winery (Chile)Quintessa Winery (Napa)Follow Rodrigo on Instagram   

In this episode:The current situation as of early July 2021 in South America and a country-by-country “reading” of how we think it will evolve into 1Q 2022 and beyondOur philosophy on how we work with our clients and advise them on planning travel in this new era--just like you work with a financial or legal advisor.The metrics we use to evaluate how safe a destination can be and how to approach planning any trip using themWhy Chile is your safest travel destination for holiday travel and in early 2022 Our suggestions for being an early entry traveler to the region from travel style to specific destinations Why now is the time to plan the bucket list destinations and holiday travel for 2022 (pent up demand is real)And much more!Resources:We are proud to be recommended by Condenast Traveler as a top Travel Advisor in 2020 and 2021. You can read our review and more about our approach here.Explore our destinations in South AmericaContact us to discuss your tripRevisit these episodes to spur wanderlust in: -Chile & Uruguay: From vineyards to beaches-The Peruvian Amazonian-Ecuador: The Galapagos, of course!-Argentina: Mendoza for wine lovers

In this episode we talk about: Laura’s family background and growing up in an Italo-Argentine winemaking family.What led her to become a medical doctor and when she felt called to join the family business.How her father, Nicolas Catena, saw the potential for Malbec as one of the great wines of the world.The story behind Catena Zapata and how it conquered one consumer, one wine shop one by one.The scientific, and cultural basis for terroir, how it applies to Malbec and clonal material, and why Laura founded the Catena Wine Institute.Her own project, Luca Wines, was an effort to preserve the small grape grower traditions in Argentina and how that has evolved.Sharing her love for her country through writing and books published on Argentina and wine culture.Resources:Luca WinesLaura’s Instagram accountCatena WinesVino ArgentinoGold in the VineyardCatena Institute of Wine Malbec Terroir Study 

In this episode:The definition of terroir and its limitationsWhat products are considered terroir products and whyHow artisanality and quality are the backbones of terroirWhy the human touch and families are also part of the equationWhat we all bring to the table in our terroir experienceA mash-up of four of our favorite episodes from Season One that bring this point homeResources:Episode #1 with Santiago Achaval of Matervini WineEpisode #2 with Jake Standerfer of Coffee Culture RoastersEpisode #13 with Guiliana Furci of Fungi FoundationEpisode #15with Mark Gerrits of Obolo Chocolate

Are you signed up for our newsletter? If not, after subscribing first here on iTunes (if you haven’t already), head on over to lizcaskey.com and get on it, amigo(a). Every Thursday when episodes drop, Liz shares an accompanying story that’s only for our newsletter readers. Join us now!

 You can follow Carola on Instragram at @olivalovers. You can also follow us on Instagram at @lccwe where we share many travel, wine, food, and design inspo.Don't forget we also have an upcoming bean-to-bar chocolate tasting on March 18, 2021 with the founder and chocolate maker of Obolo Chocolate with three full-sized bars of chocolate delivered to your front door. You can sign up here. Spaces are limited to keep the group intimate. 

In this episode we talk about:On how Carola became an olive oil taster and honed her palateThe history of olive oil in Chile and other regions of South America where it’s produced like Mendoza, Uruguay, and even BrazilThe varieties and origins of different olives, attributes in each variety (hint: it’s similar to wine!), and why culturally they are planted in different areasThe best way to practice tasting at home and recreate a professional tastingHow to identify freshness in oil, when it’s gone rancid, and how to select your oils from a producer or in-storeHow to pair your olive oil with a cooking method or specific recipeHow to store olive oilMany other tips and tricks!@olivalovers 

In this episode we talk about:The beginnings of Treko and how Catalina was inspired to start this project from 5,000 miles away in CaliforniaChiloé as travel destination and its cultural intrigueThe unique craftsmanship and weaving style of Chile from the Chilota sheep to natural dyes usedHow she trained the islanders to try her contemporary designs using traditional technique and the challenges she facedWhy she decided on the B2B business model over DTC What intentional design is and how our homes should be an expression of our lives and fill us with few yet meaningful piecesTreko’s impact on the island and commitment to preserving traditions and livelihoodsWhy Treko wool is stain proof from almost any liquid, including coffee and red wine!Resources:Treko @treko_woolChilote MagicVisit Chiloé

In this episode we talk about:The origin of cacao in South America and cradle in PeruThe beginnings of Obolo Chocolate and how Mark got the project off the groundWhy he only sources his beans from one organic coop in PeruThe art of chocolate making and what constitutes chocolate ‘terroir’What really is bean-to-bar chocolate?Obolo Chocolate’s impact on communities and commitment to sustainabilityHow to store and how to pair chocolate from stouts to red wineResources:Obolo Chocolate@OboloChocolateThe Chilean ChocolateroOn March 18, I will be hosting a special tasting of Obolo Chocolate with founder and chocolatier Mark Gerrits. It will be fun, educational, and you'll get the chocolate delivered directly to your front door! You can join the waitlist here to be the first to know when we open sign-ups.

In this episode we talk about:Juan Andrés’ upbringing in a wine growing family in UruguayThe enmeshed history of Uruguayan wine with the country’s Spanish & Italian heritageHis background in viticulture and his love for Mendoza, ArgentinaThe challenges and triumphs of taking over a multigenerational family winery in Uruguay The nuances of Uruguayan terroir and Marichal’s vineyardsThe business of selling wine and promoting Uruguayan wines in a global marketThe many faces of Tannat and a new boom of white wines, including Marichal’s outstanding Blanc de Noir.Resources:Bodega Marichal Marichal Wines@marichalwines

In this episode we talk about: How Giuliana was “chosen” by the world of fungi The “3F’s” & basics of the Fungi Kingdom & the role fungi plays in our world The development of Chilean mycology and the uniqueness of Chilean fungi. The lonely road that was studying Chilean fungi at first and why Chile is classified as a “mycro-phobic” country despite being a fungi hotspot! How co-evolution with fungi have led to fungi with medicinal properties The process of looking for fungi for particular purposes - medicinal, pesticides, -- and how their co-evolution with animals have led to groundbreaking discoveries The Fungi Foundation Giuliana’s collaboration with culinary masterminds to express local fungi ecosystems in foodHow to start foraging mushrooms on your ownFungi and a future COVID vaccine ResourcesField Guides to Chilean FungiFundacion FungiFundacion Fungi Donation PageFantastic Fungi Documentary @giulifungi @fungi_foundation

In this episode we talk about:Why Michael fell in love with Mendoza How he turned his dream of going from wine lover to winemaker a reality in ArgentinaWhat it’s really like to own a vineyard: the many details involved from farming to vinification to wine labels and exporting.How to get deeper into wine and really understand your own palate--translating taste.How The Vines has expanded to move into hospitality as one of the best hotels in Argentina and South AmericaThe Vines newest expansion and project that is taking owners around the world to craft winesTips for exploring the Uco Valley along with a few favorite Argentine winesResources: The Vines of MendozaUco’s Playground (Michael Evan’s own label of wines)The Vines @thevinesofmendoza@thevinesresortandspa

In this episode we talk about:How did we came to travel and when we realized it was our life’s workLiving between two cultures, two continents, two languages, and having essentially two different selvesStories and memories meals, moments, wines, and people in Europe and South America that altered lifeWhy food (and wine) focused travel is different than average travel; and how to approach any trip as an aesthete, foodie, and local.How we may travel differently in the future; and what does ‘authentic’ travel mean todayWhy curiosity is a driving force, and compass, to continue to exploreInspiration to dream of where you’ll go in 2021, and beyond.Resources:Peggy Markel Culinary AdventuresBuona Notte wines (Peggy’s son Graham Markel’s winery in Oregon)@peggymarkel@gowithpeggy

In this episode we talk about:What it’s like in South America to celebrate the holidays in summerStories from friends and colleagues about traditions in Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, and ChileWhat panettone, turkey, and the beach have in common during this time of yearWhy the holidays are an ideal time to visit South America Some inspiration to dream of warm(er) latitudes Resources:The HolidaysWhite Hot ChristmasChile’s Cola de Mono recipe Friends who joined us on this episode: @cavaswinelodge@fscasamedina@soleravinosytapas@penelope_alzamora@lizcaskey77

In this episode we talk about:How Francesco’s international upbringing and time spent in 16 countries have shaped his career and life pathHow an inkling to build a small river cruise ship in the Peruvian Amazon turned into being in the right place at the right timeAqua’s ethos and how they achieve a magical mix of luxury, simplicity, and authenticityWhy the Amazon is a place that everyone should experience and structure of Aqua’s excursions The design process of their ships and a growing appetite for small ship cruising and soft adventure in remote placesAqua Expeditions commitment to fine dining and their collaboration with top Lima chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino in PeruWhy Francesco’s motto of “Think Globally, act locally” embodies Aqua’s mission of sustainability and social responsibilityResources:Aqua Expeditions@aqua_expeditionsFitzcarraldo: a must watch movie!!Jungle LoveTravel in the Amazon with LCCWE

In this episode we talk about:Camila’s culinary background and fascination with fermentationThe emerging cheese culture of ChileBuilding community education and economic co-operation with dairy producersThe bane of pasteurization Some fun cheese tips to enhance your eating pleasureResources:@ColectivoFermento@camilacuisinehttps://www.colectivofermento.cl/Comida para TodosFundacion Gastronomica SocialCheese & Vino, please!

In this episode we talk about:Lucia’s roots in appreciating food and cookingThe foundations of her culinary career with Argentine celebrity chef Francis MallmanLucia’s path as a chef and restaurateur in UruguayHer flavorful, elemental, produce-driven cooking style How her food philosophy and approach in her Montevideo restaurants tie into the larger Uruguayan, and South American, food sceneLucia’s other pursuits as being a judge on Masterchef and cookbook authorResources:Lucia Soria InstagramJacinto Restaurant websiteJacinto Restaurant IGPizza Rosa IGPizza Rosa websiteRelatos y Recetas

In this episode we talk about:Stephanie upbringing between the UK & Ecuador and as a world travelerHow a holiday on the Galapagos sparked a dream--and life projectBuilding the safari camp on a remote island from the ground upHow a land-based trip to the Galapagos can be more than a bucket list trip and a transformational life experienceWhy the Galapagos is a perfect destination for family travel and why untouched nature  is catharticWhat sustainable travel means to them, and the travel industry todayThe impact of Covid on Ecuador, the Galapagos, and the future of travelResources:Galapagos Safari Camp@Galapagos_Safari_Camp