A glance at the Wine Routes
The Wine Routes of Chile are nestled between the Andes Cordillera in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. The rivers that cross the watersheds discharged the rain and the snowmelt waters of the Andes Mountains on the Pacific Ocean where the cold Humboldt Current runs alongside the Chilean coastline from the Antarctic sea northwards looking to reach the equatorial warm waters.
Some wine companies, have create wine routes throughout their vineyards and the surrounding landscape in association with other related industries as hotels and restaurants, museums and tourist attractions. Therefore visitors can learn about the places, the companies, the history and the local culture as well as to enjoy a culinary experience along with the wines that the Chilean wine industry can offer.
Ordered according to its location, from north to south, the active wine routes are:
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- Aconcagua Valley Wine Route
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- Casablanca Valley Wine Route
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- Maipo Valley Wine Route
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- Colchagua Valley Wine Route
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Colchagua Valley Viu Manent Wine Tour
Colchagua Valley Casa Lapostolle Winery Tour
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- Curicó Valley Wine Route
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- Maule Valley Wine Route
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Aconcagua Valley Wine Route, included in the Aconcagua Valley viticultural region, has a temperate Mediterranean climate, with some variations. Towards north of the Aconcagua River the climate is semiarid, while on the coast it is more humid, or Mediterranean seafront, and a highlands cold climate appears nearing the Andes. The Humboldt Current in the Pacific Ocean follows the Chilean coast from South to North and determines the climate of the region because it originates in Antarctic waters. Aconcagua Valley is a wine producing region within the political administrative Valparaíso Region. It is a Denomination of Origin (DO) defined by the Chilean Appellation system, legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown. Aconcagua Valley takes its name both from the province where it is located, San Felipe de Aconcagua, and also from the Aconcagua mountain, the highest peak in the Andes at 6,956 meters (22,828 feet). The snow-capped peak of Aconcagua and the surrounding mountains delivers essential melt water to the valley below. www.aconcagua.wine
Casablanca Valley Wine Route, included in the Aconcagua Valley viticultural region, has a temperate Mediterranean climate, with some variations. Towards north of the Aconcagua River the climate is semiarid, while on the coast it is more humid, or Mediterranean seafront, and a highlands cold climate appears nearing the Andes. The Humboldt Current in the Pacific Ocean follows the Chilean coast from South to North and determines the climate of the region because it originates in Antarctic waters. The prevailing winds are of oceanic origin; they bring moisture and explain the constant presence of mists in the regional climate. The cold nature of the Humboldt Current determines the constant presence of a low temperature front next to the coast, and helps to lower continental temperatures make this one of the Chile’s privileged region for white varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and for Pinot Noir. One hour from downtown Santiago and half an hour from Valparaíso, the Casablanca Valley offers diverse touristic options, including those focuses on some notable gastronomy, winemaking and wines. Link to www.casablancavalley.cl
Maipo Valley Wine Route is one of Chile’s oldest and traditional viticultural regions dedicated to wine-making since colonial times, and its home of some of the country’s best-known Cabernet Sauvignon wines that made famous the valley for being remarkable and distinctive. The local climatic differences within the basin of the Maipo Valley can be clearly established: the Upper Maipo or Andes Maipo is located in the precordillera with sectors nearer to the Andes and of stronger relief; the transition zone of the Central Maipo or Entre Cordilleras Maipo, which is frankly Mediterranean and the Lower Maipo or Costa Maipo Valley zone further away from the mountain range and with a characteristic sunken basin relief, with a strong influence from the sea. A variety of tours can be arranged taking advantage of the organisation of these six wine companies that constitute the Maipo Alto wine route, including visits, culinary experiences, wine tastings, and zip-lining, horseback riding amongst others. Link to www.maipoalto.com
Colchagua Valley Wine Route is located at the southern end of the Rapel Valley D.O. Some of the members of this wine route produces some of the finest red wines highly recognized everywhere. Traditionally, the vineyards that line the interior of the valley are best known for Cabernet Sauvignon, but recent expansion up the hillsides and toward the coast at the fringes of the Valley have resulted in exciting experimentation with other red varietals as Merlot, Carménère, Malbec and Syrah. The Colchagua Valley Wine Route represents 14 wineries in the area and is officially responsible for the Wine Route development. The Colchagua Valley is one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. The valley is known for its beautiful vineyard-covered hills, hundred-year-old vines, enchanting colonial estate houses, and modern high tech wineries, all of which enhance the beauty of the landscape. Link to www.colchaguavalley.cl and www.rutadelvino.cl
Curicó Valley Wine Route is an association of 14 wineries located in the valleys around the city of Curicó; most of them are family run businesses of long-standing tradition, known for their dedication to create quality wines in this the pioneering and largest wine producing region in Chile. The Curicó Valley has approximately 17,140 hectares of vineyards located from the Andes Mountains range foothills up to the Costa Mountains range. The valleys’ diverse climate and soils are ideal for producing an extensive range of fine red and white grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Riesling, among others. The wide range of grape varieties has won Curicó Valley wines many awards, reviews and distinctions in renowned international wine competitions and specialized press. The Curicó Valley Wine Route includes offers visitors tours ranging from half day excursions to two day trips, which include meals and visits to vineyards. Individual and fully customized tours for small groups are arranged. Link to www.rutadelvinocurico.cl
Maule Valley Wine Route is located 260 km (161 miles) south of Santiago, the capital of Chile. It is a region that its wine growing activity dates back to Spanish Colonial times. Today it has around 25,700 hectares (63,506 acres) of cultivated vines, from which 9,000 hectares (22,239 acres) are of white grapes varieties and 16,000 (39,536 acres) of red grapes varieties. It is the largest wine growing region producing almost half of Chile’s export wine. Many of the vineyards scattered throughout the region have been tended for generations and are family run businesses. From the city of Talca, almost four hours driving south from Santiago, the Maule Valley Wine Route leads tours through the vineyards. The offer includes culinary experiences, wine tasting, wineries visits as well as bike rentals or hiking options. Link to www.valledelmaule.cl
Wine Tours Agencies