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GUIDED BY WINE EXPERTS

THE TEAM

Our multidisciplinary team comprises professionals of the highest level, with experience in Chile and abroad. Our goal is to design and arrange unique experiences, giving you many great memories to take home—and a good reason to return.

KAREN GILCHRIST
KAREN GILCHRIST

DIRECTOR, TRIP PLANNER & WINE EXPERT GUIDE

Tri-lingual, with extensive experience in tourism development, marketing, and communications in Chile, France, and the United Kingdom, Karen saw the opportunity to build a boutique tour operator company around the fascinating world of fine wine and dining immersed in the natural beauty of Chile and other wine-producing countries around the world. 

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Karen Gilchrist is a graduate of the Sorbonne University in Paris and lived in Europe for eight years, during which time she also earned diplomas in wine tasting, tourism, photography and marketing in London. She also has vast experience with wine routes in the new world and old world. 

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She was the General Manager of the Maule Valley Wine Route (1999–2002), during which time she organized Chile's first Carmenere event (2001), attended by the national and international press. In addition to guiding she is also a wine tourism consultant in Chile and abroad. She continues to travel widely, seeking out new experiences.

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Margaret Snook

SOMMELIER - FOOD & WINE WRITER

US-born anthropologist with nearly 20 years of experience in the Chilean wine industry. She holds a post-graduate Diploma in Chilean Wine from the Catholic University of Chile, is a graduate of Chile's Professional Sommelier program and belongs to the Chilean Association of Sommeliers and the Chilean Circle of Food and Wine Writers. She also holds a Master’s degree in Book Publishing and has taken courses on tourism focused on Chilean heritage.

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Pascual Ibañez

SOMMELIER 

Spanish-born sommelier with 20 years’ experience in the Chilean wine and spirits industry. He is the founder of the Escuela de Los Sentidos, a founding member of the Chilean Association of Sommeliers, and a wine and food critic and columnist for a number of prominent specialized publications.

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Patricia Garabito 

CULTURAL GUIDE – INSIDE CHILE

Patricia Garabito is a Chile native and professional bilingual translator (Spanish - English) with over three decades of experience as a tour guide. She specializes in local history, cultural heritage, pre-Columbian museums, and wine expertise (WSET Level 1).  

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Emmanuelle Fisse

EXPERIENCE DESIGNER

French-born trend hunter and textile designer with 15 years of experience in corporate events and arranging private tours in Chile and abroad. Her mission is to use her experience to encourage the travelling spirit of anyone who approaches Wine Travel Chile.

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Pilar Valverde 

WINE EXPERT GUIDE

Pilar was born and raised in Chile. She is bilingual (Spanish - English) with many years of experience in the wine export business in Chile and is skilled in customer relationship management and operation. She has been organizing and guiding private wine tours since 2015.

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Pablo Gonzalez

OUTDOOR GUIDE – INSIDE CHILE

Pablo was born and raised in Chile. He graduated from the Catholic University of Chile with a degree in Languages: English and American Literature. He has worked as an outdoor guide for many years in the Futaleufú River Valley area leading trips that combine rafting, kayaking, trekking, packhorse riding and bicycles.

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