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Wineries are an essential stop for any tourist in Chile. The dynamic wine industry has started producing top quality wines and vineyards offer some of Chile's most beautiful landscapes.

Wine country in Chile stretches 600 miles from north to south - a fertile basin nestled between the majestic Andes and the Pacific Coast. The protected valleys with mild weather year round, lots of sunshine, rich soil and pure water supplies from Andes snowmelt provide ideal conditions for vine cultivation.

Wine tours in Chile are a unique experience, while wine tasting is relatively new (wineries opened their doors to visitors about ten years ago) it has caught on quickly. Vineyard tours provide an inside view of one of Chile's fastest growing industries - and the opportunity to taste excellent wines that are not available anywhere else.

While wine tours in Chile are a recent development, Chilean wine has a rich history dating back to the 1500's with the arrival of the Catholic Missionaries. Vines clippings were originally brought over from Spain for the production of sacramental wine. European vines thrived in Chile's fertile soil and vine cultivation quickly spread. Clippings from Europe arrived in mass quantities.

As a result, all the top Bordeaux varietals and many more began to appear throughout Chile's Central Valley. By the 1800's thriving vineyards were established - many of which are still the top wine producers in Chile today.

The Chilean wine industry's big breakthrough came in the 1870's when a phylloxera plague in Europe wreaked havoc on harvests and devastated the industry. Chilean wine exports to Europe and the States exploded and thus Chilean wine arrived on the international scene.

After the initial boom, however, Chilean wineries hit a rough period that would last over forty years. Unstable economic and political climates strongly affected Chile's wine industry - all international exports halted, and many Chilean wineries went bankrupt.

In 1990, after the military regime passed over to democratic rule, an increasingly strong economy allowed for the reestablishment of Chilean vineyards. An influx foreign money, expertise and technology have lead to a renaissance in Chilean wine.

Chilean wineries gained international recognition for cheap drinkable reds - but Chilean vineyards are now producing quality wines that compete with top California and French wines. While quality has increased exponentially, the prices have not. Excellent Chilean wines are still much cheaper than their California counter parts - especially if bought at vineyards.

Visiting Wineries in Chile

Explore the rich history and the new dynamic wine industry first hand. Chilean wineries are now very accessible, offering tours in multiple languages on a daily basis. Apart from beautiful vineyards and excellent wines, many wineries maintain their original mansions, gardens and wine cellars from the 1800's.

Unlike California's concentration Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Chilean wine country is scattered over hundreds of miles. Each wine valley's individual combination of soil and climate is suited to produce different varietals and cultivate unique characteristics in their vines.

Chile's wine country is divided into 10 regions, with various sub-regions depending on the size of the valley. From north to south they are: Limari, Aconcagua, Casablanca, San Antonio/Leyda, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curicó, Maule, and Bío Bío.

Most Chile's best wineries are located in the Central Valley, and are easily accessible from Santiago. The Maipo, Casablanca and Colchagua Valleys are all within a few hours of downtown. Day trips to these scenic destinations offer respite from the busy city, extended trips are available to those looking to spend a few days relaxing in wine country.

Maipo Valley Wineries can be reached by public transportation from Santiago. Though only an hour or two from downtown, they seem worlds away. Rivers flow down from the Andes though endless acres of vines - a perfect setting to relax and enjoy quality wines at the lowest prices. Concha y Toro, Cousiño Macul, Santa Carolina and Undurraga all have vineyards in the Maipo Valley.

The Casablanca Valley, half way between Santiago and Valparaíso, is famous for producing Chile's best white wines. The Valley is home to both Viña Veramonte (of Primus Veramonte fame) and Viña Morandé (known for its delicious Late Harvest dessert wine). The Valley offers a wine route (www.casablancavalley.cl) with several full or half day options. Wineries can also be visited on your own, but only if you have a car - public transportation won't get you from vineyard to vineyard.

Visiting Colchagua Valley wineries is a bit more involved and more expensive - but is well worth the effort. The Colchagua Valley established Chile's first wine routes, the route offers half or full days tours that visit multiple vineyards, individually tailored tours are also available (www.colchaguavalley.cl). The tours stop at some of Chile's most exclusive boutique wineries, such as Viña Santa Laura. Larger, more established vineyards are also part of the tour - such as the Montes Vineyard - Chile's most internationally recognized wine producer.

Visiting Chilean wineries is a magical experience. Excellent wine, beautiful views, and a bit of history all make Chilean wine tours a must.

The Chile Information Project offers entertaining wine tours in Santiago and the surrounding regions. Email us at info@chiptravel.cl or call our office (56-2) 735-9044 to arrange your tour today!

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