Many travel to France, Italy or California to experience great wines. But if you take a journey south of the equator, you will discover an easily accessible wine region full of Latin charm and some fabulous wines. Chile doesn’t generally top the list when one thinks of wine country. Nonetheless, if you love wine and you love adventure a drive through Chile’s wine region is well worth the trip down to South America. I went on a journey to discover the wines of the southern hemisphere starting with a winery inspired drive through Chile. For those unfamiliar with the territory, there are a few important facts that may move Chile further up your wine destination list. It happens to be the seventh largest producer of wine globally.
Chile is an easy trip from the US. LATAM airways flies direct from a few large cities and in some cases can get you there in less time than it takes to get to popular destinations in Europe. Most international flights will land in Santiago, the capital of Chile. This bustling capital city has a lot of European flavor but its unmistakable latin flair sets it apart. There is a lot to be said of this city including the fact that you will find an incredible food scene. And while most will choose to spend their time in Santiago, I would highly recommend you rent a car and hit wine country. The drive is absolutely stunning and the vineyards certainly worth a visit.
Discovering Chile’s Wine Regions
The wine region is vast in this small country with six distinct regions making up the area. Going from the far north of the country in the Atacama region where brandy grapes produce Pisco to the south in Austral Region where you can find the lighter flavors of Pinot Noir. The regions cover a lot of territory and produce some interesting varieties of wine. Trying to visit all would be quite aggressive so reset your expectations and maximize your time.
The Aconcagua and Central Valley Regions tend to be the most accessible from Santiago and therefore get a tremendous amount of attention from visitors. I focused my visit around the Aconcagua region.
For context, Chile is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot but their unique landscape also helps them to produce a some extraordinary Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. Of course there are other varieties produced in Chile’s Wine region including Pinot Noir and Syrah. Whatever tickles your palate when it comes to wine, you are sure find it here.
Planning Your Wine Tasting Adventure
I’m not afraid to get behind the wheel of the car in a foreign country. I love the freedom of having my own transportation and most times this works in my favor. To be clear, driving under the influence is against the law in Chile as is in most countries. Not only that, it can be incredibly dangerous on unfamiliar roads. It’s important that you plan accordingly with a designated driver or leverage the expertise of a hired driver to chauffeur you around.
Start your adventure in Santiago and since it is unlikely that you will drive back to Santiago each night, you should plan hotels along your route to maximize efficiency. With this itinerary you will likely explore 2-3 wineries per day. Certainly if you have more time and your kidneys can handle it, add a few more to the list. Just keep in mind, a tasting will probably take about 30-45 min per winery without a full tour. In my opinion, there is no need to do a full tour at every winery but some of them have pretty interesting stories. Select one or two to get the full tour during your visit to learn more about the region and the wine making process.
With that in mind, here’s a one week itinerary that you could follow to explore one of Chile’s wine regions.
Aconcagua Valley
Drive an hour and a half north of Santiago and you will discover the Aconcagua Valley. This region is known for its stunning Andean backdrop and some of Chile’s most prestigious wineries. Make a stop at Viña Errázuriz in the morning and have lunch onsite. The entire facility is an architectural gem and the hospitality at the winery is exceptional. Just make sure you have your gps set to the winery and not the corporate office before you head out. In the afternoon head over to Viña San Esteban and sample some iconic reds. Each of these wineries produce outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Tastings are by appointment only so make sure you plan ahead.
The first night, I’d recommend you head back to Santiago for the evening as this will be a great starting off point for your second day of winery visits. Take note of the beautiful landscape as you make your way back to the city. Reward yourself with dinner at one of the impressive restaurants in the city like Boragó, Olam or La Calma. All of which are listed in the Latin America’s Best Restaurants.
Casablanca Valley
The next day, head out to the Casablanca Valley. This region is famed for its cool-climate wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The city of Valparaíso is the star of the area with a really nice scene. This city sits on the coast and is an artistic dream. It also makes it easy to explore wineries like Viña Casas del Bosque. This family-owned winery boasts beautiful gardens and a delightful restaurant making it a top stop on most vineyard tours.
Another gem is Bodegas Re. While the wines are pretty fabulous, the winery is sure to charm you with its decor and cool gift shop. Of course, that means you might like us walk away with a couple of bottles of Chardonnay.
Kingston Family Vineyards was a standout during my visit. They have created a tasting room with the most breathtaking views of the Casablanca Valley. The tasting experience was absolutely mesmerizing. Knowledgeable wine makers take you through their offerings with great enthusiasm. I would recommend you order a charcuterie platter to accompany your tasting and give you more reason to linger longer and savor the view.
When you are done for the day, book a hotel stay in Valapariso for the night. Opt for one on the ocean to enjoy a spectacular view. There are some amazing hotels in the area that are sure to delight. You may even choose to spend an extra night here to explore the city.
Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, is only about an hour and a half drive from Valparaíso and is considered the birthplace of Chilean wine. On your way there, make a stop at the stunning Matitic or Veramonte vineyards. They have some standout Sauvignon Blancs that you don’t want to miss. Continue on to Maipo to indulge in rich reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon. An impressive winery in the area is Concha y Toro, one of the largest and most famous wineries in Chile. Don’t miss the legendary Casillero del Diablo cellar, shrouded in myth and history.
If you’re not driving back to Valparaíso, spend the night in the quaint town of Pirque where you’ll find options to stay on a vineyard. Most importantly there are some pretty fabulous restaurants here that showcase the regional wines perfectly paired with the food for a dining experience to remember.
After three full days of tastings, you are likely in need of a break. If not, continue on to Central Valley Region and explore a few of the wines there before heading back to Santiago to end your trip.
My Perspective
Chile has a very impressive wine region. The area is vast and the wineries are all encompassing. I was all prepared to dig deep into the full wine region in Chile but only had enough time to thoroughly enjoy one region. Nonetheless, it was a great learning experience and this just means a return visit to Chile is in my future.
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