Raising A Glass To The Best Wineries In The Chilean Wine Country

Chile’s Wine Country is vast and boasts an abundance of incredible wines thanks to its unique landscapes, diverse climate, and many grape varieties. With an abundance of wineries to choose from, we’re sharing some of the best vineyards and luxury wine-tasting experiences Chile has to offer.

THE CHILEAN WINE COUNTRY

From the northern sun-drenched Atacama region to the verdant reaches of the southern Osorno Valley, the six regions of Chilean Wine Country support ideal conditions for producing world-class wines.

The climate of the Central Valley, the primary region of Chilean Wine Country, is a harmonious blend of warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters, which together provide an idyllic environment for cultivating a rich variety of grapes. This balanced climate, enhanced by the cooling influences of the Humboldt Current and the protective embrace of the Andes, ensures a long growing season and grapes of exceptional quality.

THE BEST WINES IN CHILE

Thanks to the region’s perfect conditions, there are over 80 grape varieties grown in the Chilean Wine Country. While internationally acclaimed favorites like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay thrive here, it is the Carménère that stands as the iconic Chilean wine.

The Carménère grape flourishes exceptionally well in Chile and it is revered as the country’s national grape. Originally from the Bordeaux region of France, Carménère grapes are now found almost exclusively in Chile. This illustrious wine is prized for its supple red-and-black berry flavors and herbaceous green peppercorn notes.

THE BEST WINE REGIONS IN CHILE

There are six major wine regions spread across the country. However, the majority of Chilean vineyards are concentrated within the Central Valley, just south of the capital Santiago.

The Colchagua Valley is regarded as the best wine region in Chile. Nestled between the Andes and the rugged Pacific coastline, the Colchagua Valley combines picturesque landscapes of lush rolling hills with world-renowned wines.

Other highly regarded wine regions in Chile include:

• Maipo Valley: One of the oldest and most traditional wine regions in the country, famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
• Casablanca Valley: Characterized by its cool climate, this region is known for exceptional white wines.
• Aconcagua Valley: This high-altitude region is well suited for a variety of grapes, however, the bold red Merlot wines have made this region famous with its deep rich flavors.

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WINE TOURS IN CHILE

Chile has been producing wine since the 1550s, longer than any other country in the Americas. With around 1,200 wineries to explore, there are plentiful opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich wine culture when you embark on a private wine tour.

Here, we share six of our favorite Chilean wineries and the unique experiences on offer…

NEYEN VINEYARD, COLCHAGUA VALLEY

Neyen Vineyard encompasses a 300-acre winery, nestled in a horseshoe-shaped ring of mountains in the Apalta region of the Colchagua Valley. Protected from harsh westerly winds thanks to the surrounding mountains, the vineyard has an ideal location for producing spectacular wines.

Neyen Vineyard enjoys a semi-arid Mediterranean climate and features granitic soils, coupled with a wide daily temperature range. These conditions contribute to later-ripening grapes that possess exceptional balance and elegance.

Combined with centuries-old vines, it is no wonder why Neyen is recognized as one of the best vineyards in Chile with some of the world’s most outstanding Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec wines.

Visit Neyen and enjoy a luxury tour of the facility, including a private tasting of the vineyard’s exceptional and long-cultivated wines. As you wander through the vineyards, admire the unique, large twisted vines of the centennial vineyard which contribute to the unique properties of the fruit.

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VIK CHILE, MILLAHUE VALLEY

Vik Chile is a luxury winery and resort founded by Alexander Vik. He wanted to grow the best wine in South America and so in 2004, he convened a research team to find the best place to grow red grapes across Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. They decided on Millahue Valley, which means “place of gold” in the local Mapuche language.

This winery produces top-quality wines with pure Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère grapes, and utilizes state-of-the-art, advanced technology and progressive methods.
As well as private tastings, you can explore the expansive vineyards on horseback or mountain bike. Then, enjoy a delicious lunch on the restaurant terrace overlooking the green valley below.

Once the vineyard and winery operations were well-established, the focus expanded to include luxury hospitality, leading to the creation of the Vik Chile Hotel. The hotel features a unique avant-garde design and is tucked away deep in the valley, surrounded by the Andes Mountains.

MONTES WINERY, COLCHAGUA VALLEY

Located in the heart of Apalta in the Colchagua Valley, Montes is a large, modern winery. Montes creates exquisite wines; several labels have been awarded scores of more than 90 points by the Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast.

To enhance the experience and improve the taste of their wines, the barrel rooms echo with soft Gregorian chants. This is said to send soft vibrations through the wine which is believed to benefit the end product. You can hear this music as you tour the winery and partake in an exclusive wine-tasting.

After your private tour, visit the on-site restaurant and enjoy a delicious menu crafted by one of Argentina’s most charismatic chefs, Francis Mallmann. We recommend trying his signature smoked and roasted meats, cooked on an open-air spit in front of you.

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EMILIANA VINEYARD, CASABLANCA REGION

Located in Chile’s Casablanca region and only 1 hour away from Santiago, the Emiliana Vineyard is known for its phenomenal organic wines.

The vineyard was established in 1986 by the Guilisasti family and has since been producing high-quality Chilean wines made from organic grapes. Emiliana also stands out with its environmentally conscious approach to winemaking, employing natural methods of pest control, energy use, and biodiversity.

Tour the best winery in the Casablanca region and witness how they utilize the power of the natural world to create and enhance their wines. Afterward, enjoy a wine tasting where you sample delicious organic wines with one of the winery’s experts.

CONCHA Y TORO, PIRQUE REGION

Known for their perfect Cabernet Sauvignon, Concha y Toro is one of the leading wine producers in the world and the largest wine producer in Latin America. With recognizable brands such as Casillero del Diablo and Don Melchor, this Chilean vineyard is a popular destination for wine connoisseurs around the world.

The vineyard was founded by husband and wife, Melchor Concha y Toro and Emiliana Subercaseaux, by being some of the first to import the iconic Carménère grapes from the Bordeaux region of France in 1883.

During your tour of this famous and historic Chilean winery, explore the 19th-century mansion and exquisite gardens created by French designer Guillaume Renner. Our exclusive access opens the door to a rare tasting of the latest vintage of Don Melchor and the chance to witness the French oak barrels used to age the wine.

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CLOS APALTA, COLCHAGUA VALLEY

Thanks to a rare alignment of weather, soil, and sunlight, Clos Apalta benefits from ideal conditions for producing wines with unique aromatic complexity. Its stunning vineyard and state-of-the-art winery make Clos Apalta one of the best wineries in the Colchagua Valley.

Clos Apalta was founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet in 1994 and blends French winemaking tradition with the excellent wine-producing capacity of the Chilean valleys.

The winery is known for producing world-class Sauvignon-Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, and Syrah. During your private tour, you will be invited to explore the vineyard and facility before enjoying a private wine-tasting session with a local wine expert.

ENJOY LUXURY WINE TOURS IN CHILE

Chile’s best wineries offer more than just a wine tasting; you can embark on an unforgettable journey through some of the most beautiful and fertile lands in the world while enjoying unique, private wine experiences.

For more details on our bespoke luxury wine tours in Chile, contact one of our Travel Experts today.