Wine tourism throughout Chile: vineyards amid history and nature

A wine paradise that, besides a wide variety of wine styles, features a diversity of natural and cultural landscapes. This is Chile, a country recognized worldwide for the quality of its wines and that, from north to south, treasures a wealth of tourism offers for those looking for experiences around wine.

Located in the Atacama region, the Huasco Valley is the northernmost of the wine valleys who offer tourist activities. Its cultural richness includes national parks and olive plantations as well. Here, local wine production is known for both pisco and the sweet and traditional pajarete. In the last decade, the calcareous soils of this valley have led to the cultivation of varieties such as Garnacha and Chardonnay to produce still wines. Due to the increasing influx of tourists, its new wine route combines wine tourism with unique landscapes and adventure activities.

Famous for its astronomical observatories, the Elqui Valley has a unique geography where the green color of the vineyards is encased in the shades of gray and brown displayed by the hills. It hosts some of the highest vineyards in the country, where Syrah, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pedro Jiménez are grown. Its offer on wine tourism in the mountains is complemented by the beaches on the coast.

The Limarí Valley, known as the “green north” of Chile due to its abundance of irrigated areas, is famous for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet varietals. It is an area of natural beauty with an exquisite marine gastronomy that goes with its piscos and wines of unique character, in addition to Andean papayas and goat cheeses, typical of this place. Its tourist offer is complemented by archeological remains and natural parks.

The Choapa Valley is the narrowest wine-growing area in Chile, so that the marine influence can be seen even in the Andes mountain range. Its mountainous landscape houses the heritage of the Diaguita village and natural wonders such as the Raja de Manquehua and the Poza Azul. Its vineyards, which were exclusively destined to producing pisco, have changed with the cultivation of other varieties in pergolas, such as Pedro Jiménez, Muscat of Alexandria, Moscatel de Austria and Syrah.

From winter activities to wine tasting with a privileged view of the Andes mountain range, in the Aconcagua Valley the offer is very diverse. It is the birthplace of excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, and more recently Syrah and Carménère, as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot and Chardonnay cultivated under the coastal influence of the Pacific Ocean.

Renowned for its cool whites and cold-climate reds, the Casablanca Valley brings together the countryside and the coastline landscape. Its most archetypal varieties are Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, as well as Syrah and Pinot Noir. Strategically located between Santiago and the cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, its offer combines the legacy of poets and singers with a gastronomy based mainly on fish and seafood.

The San Antonio Valley is the most coastal subregion of Chile, with vineyards located between 3 and 14 km from the sea, where Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir of great expression are grown. Its coast is known as Coast of Poets, because it was home to poets such as Pablo Neruda in Isla Negra, Vicente Huidobro in Cartagena, Nicanor Parra in Las Cruces and Roberto Parra in San Antonio.

The Maipo Valley, with its centuries-old wineries, is where history converges with modernity and the Chilean capital can have a break. Its geography of contrasts, where the vineyards are framed by the imposing Andes mountain range, offers classic reds that have given international prestige to the Chilean wine, as well as a varied range of adventure tourism experiences.

The Cachapoal Valley offers beautiful landscapes as you advance toward the mountain range, where you can observe endemic flora and fauna. The place produces excellent Carménère, in addition to Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with a great character. Amid natural geographic features, its landscapes contain components typical of the Chilean countryside: water wheels, poplar grooves, willows and eucalyptus.

With a pioneering wine trail in Chile, the Colchagua Valley allows the traveler to explore a landscape that goes from the sea to the mountains, while enjoying world class red wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère and Malbec. It is a place to discover countryside traditions along with a high-level gastronomy.

In the Maule region, where the wine industry plays an important role, the family vineyards in the Curicó Valley are a way to rediscover an authentic Chilean heritage. It is the birthplace of surprising sparkling wines, as well as different varieties in reds, whites and rosés. This valley offers a festive wine culture, which is complemented by authentic countryside cuisine.

Far from the stress of the city life, the Maule Valley is where nature offers its most fertile and generous face, with some of the gastronomical offers that best represent Chile. Here, red varieties dominate the landscape, mostly among Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carménère vineyards.

In the Ñuble region, the Itata Valley is one of the oldest vine-growing areas registered in Chile. Its winding landscape provides unique panoramic views of a valley where old vineyards of Cinsault, País and Moscatel are cultivated in bushes and without artificial irrigation. It is the birthplace of wines that combine heritage varieties, modern enology techniques and traditional wine vessels such as amphorae.

In the Biobío Valley heritage varieties are also cultivated, with vines dating from the 18th century. Several vineyards are open to tourism, where the tourist can taste a glass of wine while learning about the culture of these lands and appreciating how heritage and tradition blend with the innovation efforts of the industry.

In the heart of La Araucanía, the Malleco Valley is one of the southernmost in Chile. Its high-quality wines are the product of a temperate climate combined with glacial, fluvial and volcanic soils. Its emblematic varieties are Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Pinot Noir with increasing interest. The crops are mainly concentrated in the Traiguén area, where heritage buildings make the place a great attraction.

On the southern border of wine Chile, the Osorno Valley is home to beautiful natural landscapes, which coexist with history and gastronomy. It is here that the potential of new terroirs for making sparkling wines and whites with elegant acidity is being investigated, notably in Lake Ranco and the Chiloé archipelago. Trekking, fishing, observation of fauna and flora are a way of discovering the place, before or after trying typical dishes such as the curanto or classic southern desserts.

Wine tourism in Chile has grown significantly in recent years. Today more than 200 wineries out of 538 have tourist offer. They are concentrated mainly between the regions of Coquimbo and Biobío. Throughout the country, wineries have invested in infrastructure regarding both access and tourist services, such as tasting rooms, wine shops, restaurants and accommodations. In combination with the experience around wine, the tourist offer is increasingly diverse, including bike rides, horseback riding, trekking, gastronomic experiences, cultural events and corporate services. In addition, events such as the harvest festivals have gained relevance, being a must for the months of March and April each year. These activities focus on thanking the good harvest and promoting wine culture, gastronomy and local history, while allowing the promotion of local entrepreneurship.

Throughout Chile, wine tourism proposes unique experiences that combine the country’s rich wine history with culture, stunning landscapes and a gastronomy that pairs with its variety of wine styles. With its diverse geography, Chile is an increasingly better and more sustainable destination for wine lovers looking to explore the art and passion that surround the glass.

The list bellow comprises our members who offer wine tourism activities. Additionally, we recommend consulting the others members’ website, as they might expand their offer or organize private tours and events occasionally.