Best wine regions to visit in Chile | Our top picks

Many consider Chile wine regions to be home of some the most major wines of the global wine industry. The country’s diverse landscapes – from the barren Atacama Desert to the snow-capped Andes Mountains – create the perfect grape-growing terrain.

The majority of the wines that Chile produces are red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and the country’s signature Carmenere. Here is our guide to Chile's wine regions.

This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to Chile – your essential guide for traveling in Chile.

Maipo Valley: Chile's most famous wine region

You’ve probably heard of Maipo Valley – it’s the most well-known of all Chile wine regions and visiting it is one of the top things to do in Chile. Just a short drive from Santiago, it stretches east toward the Andes, where vineyard-covered slopes catch the afternoon sun.

This is where Chile’s wine story began to take off in the 19th century, thanks to a shift in climate and a wave of French influence. Today, Maipo is Cabernet Sauvignon country. Big names like Concha y Toro and Viña Santa Rita produce bold reds with serious pedigree.

How to get to Maipo Valley

Maipo is the easiest region to visit from Santiago:

• By car – It’s just a 30-45 minute drive, depending on traffic and where you’re headed in the valley.
• By tour – Plenty of day tours leave from Santiago and include tastings, vineyard visits, and sometimes lunch in the vines.
• By public transport – Not ideal. You can get part of the way by metro and bus, but you’ll still need a taxi or transfer to reach most wineries.

Best of all? You can be sipping wine in Maipo – and still be back in Santiago in time for dinner.

Casablanca Valley: Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay on the coast

Casablanca Valley is one of Chile’s younger wine regions – and one of its most exciting. Tucked between Santiago and the port city of Valparaíso, it’s just an hour or so from the capital. You can visit on a day trip, or set out from Valparaíso – a city of steep hills, street art, and chaotic charm.

Vines were first planted here in the 1980s. Thanks to cool ocean breezes and coastal fog, the valley quickly earned a name for crisp whites. Today, it’s Chile’s go-to region for Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

You’ll find some standout producers here:

• Veramonte – A household name, known for accessible wines and polished tasting experiences.
• Matetic Vineyards – Organic, biodynamic, and a bit of a maverick. Known for tropical Sauvignon Blanc and a bold, spicy Syrah.

How to get to Casablanca Valley

Getting here is straightforward – and scenic:

• By car – Around 75-90 minutes from Santiago or 45 minutes from Valparaíso, depending on your starting point.
• By tour – Plenty of guided options run from both cities, often combining wine tastings with lunch or detours to coastal towns.
• By public transport – Limited. Buses run between Santiago and Valparaíso, but you’ll need a taxi or pre-arranged pick-up to reach the vineyards.

Colchagua Valley: Carmenere and bold red wines in the heart of the Chile wine region

If you’re into red wine, start here. Often called the Napa Valley of South America, Colchagua Valley is home to over 1,700 vineyards and some of Chile’s biggest names in wine. Carmenère is the star – rich, peppery, and uniquely Chilean – but you’ll also find top-tier Syrah and Malbec.

This is one of the most visitor-friendly Chile wine regions. Think rolling vineyards, stylish tasting rooms, and wineries like:

• Casa Lapostolle – Elegant wines with French roots and a hilltop tasting room.
• Viña Montes – Known for bold reds and a feng shui-designed cellar.

Time your Chile itinerary for March and you’ll hit the annual Grape Harvest Festival in Santa Cruz – three days of tastings, parades, music, and all things vino.

Beyond the wine, the valley delivers on adventure too – with options for hiking, biking, and horse riding through vineyard-draped hills.

How to get to Colchagua Valley

It’s a bit farther than Maipo or Casablanca, but worth the trip:

• By car – Around 2.5-3 hours from Santiago to Santa Cruz, the main hub.
• By tour – Multi-day wine tours often include Colchagua along with other regions.
• By bus – Buses run from Santiago to Santa Cruz, but you’ll need taxis or transfers to reach most wineries.

Aconcagua Valley: Cabernet Sauvignon beneath the highest peak

Just 65km north of Santiago, Aconcagua Valley is best known for the snow-draped peak it’s named after – Cerro Aconcagua, the highest point in the Western Hemisphere at 6,960m. The summit might be across the border in Argentina, but it’s the Andes meltwater that fuels the valley’s vineyards.

This rugged region is carving out a serious reputation for red wine – especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wide temperature swings and mountain-cooled nights are perfect for producing bold, structured wines.

One name to know? Viña Errázuriz – a historic estate with a cutting-edge cellar and a long list of award-winning reds.

How to get to Aconcagua Valley

Getting here is straightforward from Santiago:

• By car – Around 1.5 hours north, depending on which part of the valley you’re heading to.
• By tour – Some wine tours include Aconcagua alongside Casablanca or San Antonio Valley.
• By public transport – Limited options. A car or private transfer gives you the most flexibility.

Elqui Valley: Syrah, stargazing, and pisco feuds in the far north

Elqui Valley is Chile’s northernmost wine region – a surreal strip of green at the edge of the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. This remote valley is making waves for its organic Syrah, crafted using traditional methods at wineries like Viña Elqui.

But wine isn't Elqui’s only claim to fame. This is also pisco country – the fiery grape-based spirit that fuels a never-ending rivalry between Chile and Peru. Each insists they invented it. You’ll just have to taste and decide for yourself.

Come nightfall, the valley shines in another way – literally. It’s one of the best places to visit in Chile and one of the best stargazing spots on the planet. Head to the AURA Observatory, the world’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, for front-row views of the cosmos.

How to get to Elqui Valley

It takes effort – but the payoff is worth it:

• By plane – Fly from Santiago to La Serena (just over an hour), then drive 1.5 hours inland to the valley.
• By car – A full-day drive from Santiago (around 7-8 hours) if you're up for a road trip.
• By tour – Some multi-day wine and stargazing tours include Elqui, often starting in La Serena.

Maule Valley: Chile’s oldest wine region

Maule Valley is where Chile’s wine story begins. Shaped by the Río Maule and just west of Talca, this is the oldest of the Chile wine regions – and one of the most diverse. You’ll find everything from rustic reds to revived heritage vines.

For years, Maule was seen as bulk-wine country. But that’s changing. Today, small producers and old-vine revivalists are putting the valley back on the wine map. The cooler southern climate helps grapes ripen slowly – a recipe for depth and character.

Want something with structure? Try the Cabernet Sauvignon at Gilmore Winery and Vineyards – a standout in this comeback story.

How to get to Maule Valley

It’s a bit farther afield, but still manageable:

• By car – About 3.5–4 hours south of Santiago, heading toward Talca.
• By train – You can take a scenic ride on the Central Valley line to Talca, then grab a taxi or transfer to the vineyards.
• By tour – Less common than Maipo or Colchagua, but some wine-focused itineraries do include Maule.

Bío Bío Valley: Riesling and aromatics in the cool south

Bío Bío Valley is Chile’s southernmost wine region – a land of rivers, forests, and crisp air. Tucked far below the country’s central valleys, it’s a place where nature takes center stage and the temperatures drop hard.

That cooler climate? Perfect for aromatic whites. Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Viognier thrive here, producing expressive wines with bright acidity and floral notes. If you’re into whites that go beyond the usual Sauvignon and Chardonnay, Bío Bío is your next stop.

It’s still under the radar – but not for long. Among wine insiders, this region is one to watch.

How to get to Bío Bío Valley

This one’s for the committed wine explorer:

• By plane – Fly from Santiago to Concepción (about 1 hour), then drive into the valley from there.
• By car – Roughly 6–7 hours from Santiago, heading south through the Central Valley.
• By tour – Rare, but a few specialist wine or nature tours may include Bío Bío.

Limarí Valley: Chardonnay and mineral-rich whites from the north

North of Santiago and just inland from the coast, Limarí Valley is one of Chile’s driest wine regions. The Pacific’s cool Humboldt Current helps regulate temperatures, while mineral-rich soils add texture and character to the wines.

This valley is best known for Chardonnay – fresh, saline, and elegant – but you’ll also find Syrah that’s lean and peppery rather than bold and jammy.

Tabalí and Maycas del Limarí are top producers to check out if you’re after whites with bite.

How to get to Limarí Valley

• By car – Around 4.5 hours north of Santiago by road.
• By plane – Fly to La Serena, then drive about 1.5 hours inland.
• By tour – Less common, but private guides from La Serena may offer winery visits.

Itata Valley: Natural wines and heritage vines in the south

Itata Valley is one of Chile’s oldest wine regions – but also one of its most rebellious. Down in the south near Concepción, it’s where you’ll find old bush vines, dry-farmed grapes, and a growing movement of natural winemakers.

Forget big-name producers. Here, it’s all about small-scale craft – with standouts like Pipeño, Moscatel de Alejandría, and Cinsault. The wines are often unfiltered, unfined, and full of character.

If you like your wine a little wild and your tastings unpolished but passionate – this is your spot.

How to get to Itata Valley

• By plane – Fly to Concepción (1 hour from Santiago), then drive south into the valley.
• By car – Around 6-7 hours from Santiago.
• By tour – Few formal options, but some natural wine producers offer visits by appointment.

San Antonio Valley: Cool-climate reds and coastal charm

Often grouped with nearby Casablanca, San Antonio Valley sits closer to the coast and is even cooler. That chill makes it perfect for Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, all showing zippy acidity and coastal freshness.

This is a smaller region, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in personality. Wineries like Casa Marin lead the way with organic practices and sharp, expressive wines.

San Antonio is also a great detour if you're headed to coastal towns like Isla Negra or Cartagena – both near some of the best beaches in Chile.

How to get to San Antonio Valley

• By car – About 90 minutes from Santiago, depending on where you start.
• By tour – Some Casablanca tours include San Antonio stops.
• By public transport – Limited. You’ll need a car or driver for winery visits.