Day 5

Following our usual hotel breakfast, we began the day with a Company visit to Vina Indomita.  This was the wine company that my group covered for our company, so it was interesting and fulfilling to see that our data and ideas about the company were correct.   The company was definitely a more aesthetically pleasing to visit as it was on top of a hill gazing over the mountain ranges and vast fields of grapes the company owned.  Inside the company walls, we were able to see the large bodega where they stored and mixed their wine.  At the end of the bodega we were able to see the lab where they tested the win to make sure everything was in the correct quantities for the best possible wine.  Finally, we were taken to the cellar where the company stored their different wines.  Here, I learned the importance engineering can have on an entire company.  After the earthquake, the company only lost a small percentage of its wine because it was structurally built with great support.  This is unlike a neighboring company that lost all of their wine due to the powerful earthquake.  After the tour, we began our wine tasting.  I was surprised to see three full cups of wine in front of me as I was expected us to each get a little small sampling of the wine.  Of course, I won’t complain.  We tasted the different wines, the fruity white wine, the tasteful red win, and the reserved white wine that left us felling hungry.  Each wine was clearly of very good quality as they were very smooth to taste. 

Next, was our company visit to LAN Airlines.  Here we were able to learn about how the company is expanding and the business side of how a smaller company can grow into a very productive and prosperous company like LAN.  We were able to see the different maintenances that go into the planes before we were able to get on one of the planes.  We saw the impressive business class seats that had reclining chairs and TVs for each passenger.  A plane ride that I wouldn’t mine to ride.

Today ended with a good dinner at a local restaurant before going out to a karaoke bar where I sung “I’m still In love” by Sean Paul.  Another experience to remember, and a great way to end the day.