Drinking Up Chile’s Wine Country

You wouldn’t be blamed if you planned a trip to Chile with the sole intent of drinking wine all day, every day. The wine country regions — Maipo Valley, Colchagua Valley, Casablanca Valley and Aconcagua Valley — all offer beautiful settings and world-class wineries. The two most popular destinations are Colchagua Valley and Casablanca Valley. If you’re planning a trip to Chile, be sure to include a three-night stop in one of these regions.

Colchagua Valley

This is one of the country’s most famous valleys and the icon of wine production in Chile. Use the sleepy little town of Santa Cruz as your homebase (Casa Pando is a great option for an inexpensive and quality hotel) and book your days full of wine tours, picnics, horseback rides, fine dining and more.

Take a cable car up to the top of the Chaman Hill at Santa Cruz Vineyard for a stunning view, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through Viu Manent on a wine tour and dine at Francis Mallmann’s Fuegos de Apalta restaurant at Montes Winery. You won’t be disappointed in the quality of the red wine and surrounding scenery of the Colchagua Valley.

Casablanca Valley

Nestled between the coastal mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Casablanca Valley is central to Chile’s wine production. The fertile valley is recognized for its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc varietals, in contrast to Colchagua Valley’s sumptuous reds.

Sip on some crisp coastal white wines while enjoying the region’s salty ocean air and cool breezes. Check out Indómita for its castle-like building standing guard on top of a hill; Matetic for organic wines (and a beautiful hotel); and the family-run Casas del Bosque winery for lunch at Tanino Wine Bar & Lunch.