Wine Regions of Central Chile

Chile's winemaking began in the 16th century with the Spanish; its current form developed from the mid-19th century onwards: wealthy families brought French grape varieties to the country and established estates following European models. Chile has remained untouched by phylloxera, which devastated European vineyards in the 19th century, to this day.This led to the region's most famous story: what Chilean winemakers long believed to be Merlot was identified in 1994 by French ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot during a visit to the Maipo Valley as Carménère, a Bordeaux variety almost extinct in France. It has since been considered Chile's flagship grape.In the countryside, Huaso culture shapes daily life: riders with wide-brimmed hats and striped ponchos, rodeo in crescent-shaped arenas, and Cueca during the Fiestas Patrias in September. Many places celebrate harvest festivals during the Vendimia in March and April.

Without a car, exploring the wine valleys becomes challenging: Wineries are scattered between villages, and public buses only serve the main towns. Ruta 5 connects Santiago with Rancagua, San Fernando, and Curicó, from where country roads branch off into the valleys. The highway towards Valparaíso leads to Casablanca.If you plan to taste, separate driving and drinking: Either stay overnight in the valley, book a guided tour from Santiago or Santa Cruz, or take turns at the wheel. The blood alcohol limit in Chile is strict, and checks are common.Visits almost always require advance booking; many wineries offer fixed times for tours and tastings. Approximately once a month, the Tren del Vino tourist train, operated by state railway EFE, departs from Estación Central in Santiago to San Fernando at the entrance of the Colchagua Valley, continuing by bus to the wineries.