Wine Routes of Chile

The history of Chile’s wineries dates back over four centuries years during Spanish colonial times.  From the snow-capped Andes to the sea, Chile’s rich soils and variety of climates allow for a wide variety of wines to be grown in the country.  As a result, Chile has become the fifth highest wine producing country in the world, and many of the valleys, wineries, and town councils have worked together to create the famous wine routes of Chile to promote the local wine culture and spread knowledge of Chile’s finest wines.  Chile’s wine routes have become a major draw for tourism, with many of the scenic wine routes offering unique tour options ranging from traditional wine tasting tours, to horseback tours, and even airplane tours of the diverse wine routes of Chile.

The wine routes of Chile are divided by the regions in the country, with some of the most prominent in the famed Central Valley region located in close proximity to the capital, Santiago.  Spanning across the country from the Elqui Valley in the north of the country, to the Malleco Valley in the south, here are some of the best wine routes in Chile and what to expect during your visit.

Northern Region

The northern region of Chile is known for its unique microclimate due to its proximity to the Atacama Desert and the Pacific Ocean.  The northern region is home to three of Chile’s largest wineries, where the wines range from Sauvignon Blancs to deep Cabernet Sauvignons, all with a unique mineral edge.

Elqui Valley
The vibrant Elqui Valley is known for its excellent fruit production.  Red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon are well known in this northern wine region, as well as Pisco, a type of brandy made from fermented grapes that have been distilled and is an important part of Chile’s gastronomic culture.  Some of the best vineyards in Elqui valley include Cavas del Valle and Falernia.

Limarí Valley
The vineyards in Limarí Valley date back to the 16th century during Spanish Colonial rule.  The high mineral content in the soils here produce superior Cabernet Sauvignon, which is the valley’s biggest production.  The camanchaca, or sea fog from the Pacific Ocean, irrigates the vines of Limarí Valley at night, producing delicious Sauvignon Blancs, Chardonnays and Syrahs, also known as Shiraz.  Some of the featured vineyards are Casa Tamaya and Maycas del Limarí.

Central Valley Region

Chile’s most productive and internationally recognized wine region is its Central Valley region, situated across the Andes from Argentina’s famous Mendoza wine region.  Many of the wine routes in Chile’s Central Valley region are located in close proximity to the capital, Santiago, making this region the most popular for its scenic wine routes with some of the most diverse options for touring the wine routes in the Central Valley.

Casablanca Valley
Casablanca Valley boasts a cool, coastal climate.  The camanchaca blows in from the ocean and produces exquisite Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs in particular.  Casablanca Valley is located about an hour from Santiago with a variety of tour options, with a focus on food and wine pairings.

Maipo Valley
The Maipo wine route is ideal for a day trip from Santiago, connecting to the vineyards located in the foothills to the south and east of the capital.  The Maipo Valley region is best known for its red wines, most notably Cabernets. There are a variety of tours options of the wineries of Maipo Valley available, including tastings with food pairings, horseback riding tours and even zip-lining tours of the vineyards.

Colchagua Valley
Located in the Rapel sub-region of the Central Valley wine region, the Colchagua Valley is celebrated for some of the finest red wines in all of Chile.  Its Carmenere and Cabernet wines are among the world’s best wine rankings. The Colchagua Valley also produces very fine Syrah and Malbec wine varieties.  With over a dozen different vineyards, wine route tour options are impressively varied, from traditional tastings to horseback tours and plane tours of this scenic wine route.

Maule Valley
The largest wine region in Chile, the Maule Valley is responsible for half of Chile’s wine produced for export.  Many of the vineyards in this region have been cultivated for generations, producing wines with characteristics unique to the region.  The dry climate found in the Maule Valley is ideal for producing Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec wines in particular.

Southern Region

Some of Chile’s most ancient grape varieties have been grown in its southern region for centuries.  While not as tourist-centric as the wine routes of the Central Valley region, the wine routes of southern Chile boast a variety of great tasting wines and scenic vineyards slightly off the beaten path.

Itata Valley
One of the oldest wine growing regions in all of the Americas, the cool climate Itata Valley region produces notable Carignan and Muscat of Alexandria wines, as well as Pais, a local grape aimed towards more domestic consumption in Chile.  The vintners in this historic region have also begun to cultivate more modern grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with initial success.

Malleco Valley
The southernmost wine routes in Chile are located in Malleco Valley, and the high rainfall combined with well-draining soils in the region produces flavorful grapes with great wine-making potential.  While located further from the capital, Malleco Valley is worth the trip for its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc varietals.

Whether you are traveling to the popular wine routes of Chile’s Central Valley region, or you are venturing further away from the capital to the northern and southern regions, the many wine routes of Chile have something for every type of wine aficionado.

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