Exploring Chile’s Wine Country

One of the best things about a trip to Chile is a chance to explore Chile’s wine country. The vineyards have been around since the Spanish established them in the mid-16th century. In addition, today’s flourishing Chile wine regions serve many international markets. Along with being one of the world’s largest and best wine producers, the region is blessed with stunning landscapes from the Pacific coastline to the Andes Mountains. Experience the luscious varieties of Chilean wine in one of these top regions for wine tours in Chile.

Casablanca Valley

The beautiful Casablanca Valley is west of Santiago toward the Pacific Coast. Wine-making is quite new here in terms of Chilean wine history, only established as late as the 1980s. A pioneer by the name of Pablo Morandé arrived here to plant Chile’s first cool-climate vineyards. Cool breezes, salt air, and heavy fog are ideal growing conditions for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and other whites. Higher up in the valley, cool-climate reds such as Pinot Noir are grown.

Wineries to visit:

• Veramonte. Focuses on natural, sustainable winemaking. Popular wines include Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2018 and Veramonte Pinot Noir 2016.
• Matetic.  Matetic is a family-owned, biodynamic winery. They offer tours, tastings, and excursions in the local area. If you’re hungry after touring, you can dine at their Equilibrio Restaurant. It’s a slow food restaurant serving Chilean cuisine, often prepared with ingredients grown in the Matetic orchards. One of their popular wines is Matetic EQ Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2017.

 

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Aconcagua Valley

The name Aconcagua comes from the largest mountain in both America’s which can be seen in the distance. This region of Chile’s wine country, located north of Santiago, has hot summers and mild winters. The valley’s lower areas receive very little rainfall and produce find reds like Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Melting snow from ice caps of Aconcagua provide the necessary water to grow the vineyards. The region has a large variety of wine cellars and small wineries for touring and tasting. It’s the most productive region for wine in Chile.

Wineries to visit:

• Viña Errázuriz. This historic winery, founded in 1870, offers tours and tastings by appointment. The winery also is home to a historic collection of more than 400 bottles of wines. Some recommended wines include Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2016 and Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016.
• Sánchez de Loria. Don Enrique Sánchez de Loria Faulkner founded this vineyard in 1890 and it remains family-run. Sánchez de Loria is a limited-production winery that harvests by hand rather than by machine. They produce no more than 100,000 bottles of wine a year.

 

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Cachapoal Valley

The Cachapoal Valley is a small region south of Santiago. Similar to the Napa Valley, the area is known for breezy and dry conditions. The valley is closer to the Andes Mountains so the temperature is more varied and the soil quality is lower. Ninety percent of the grapes grown here are for reds. They produce delicious premium reds such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Wineries to visit:

• Viñedos Torreon de Paredes.  Founded in 1979, Torreón de Paredes is a family-run winery in the Alto Cachapoal Valley. Although the winery itself is only 40 years old, some of its adobe walls date back to mid-1700s. They offer several tours and tastings that include visits to the vineyards, park, and historic wine cellar.
• Viña Valle Secreto. Viña Valle Secreto is a boutique vineyard established in 2007.
• Viña Vik. If possible, check into the Viña Vik hotel and vineyard. For a special occasion, try the Vina Vik La Piu Belle 2012.

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Maipo Valley

The Maipo Valley is the closest wine region to the city of Santiago and is the country’s most historic. Some of the grape plantings date back as far as the Spanish conquistadors. It wasn’t until the 19th century, after the importation of Bordeaux grapes from France, that this region became productive. Cool mountain breezes along with the afternoon sun help produce some of the world’s finest Cabernets. The region’s proximity to the Chilean capital city and the Andes Mountains Makes it perfect to combine with a vacation. Wineries to visit include:

• Concha y Toro. Concha y Toro offers several tours of their vineyards, gardens, and wine cellars. The property also includes a wine shop as well as a wine bar where you can enjoy wine, cheese, tapas, and other local dishes. Wines to try include Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2016.
• Viña Santa Rita. Founded in 1880, Viña Santa Rita currently produces several collections of premium wines. The winery offers multiple tour options including several featuring transportation via its unique pedal bar (a bar on wheels that transports you throughout the property. The estate also includes a wine shop, museum, hotel, Restaurante Doña Paula, and the Café La Panadería bakery. Consider trying the Santa Rita Secret Reserve Red Blend 2015.

 

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Tour Options

If you’re planning to visit Chile, a guided wine tour is a good option. Also, Chile Wine Trails offers guided tours of several wine regions in Chile including Casablanca, Aconcagua, and Maipo.

Here are several other good options: