Chile Dropdown content first began making wine back in the mid-16th century, when Spanish conquistadors and Jesuit missionaries planted the first vines. But it wasn’t until the 1980s that local winemakers began to employ modern viticulture methods and state-of-the-art technology. Today, Chile's wine regions are considered major players in the global wine industry.
The country’s diverse landscapes, natural barriers – from the Pacific Ocean’s rollers to the barren Atacama Desert and the snow-capped Andes – and climatic conditions create the perfect grape-growing terroir. Many of its vineyards are easy to reach, set in fertile valleys across the country’s central plain, both north and south of the capital Santiago. The majority of the New World wines that Chile produces are red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and the country’s signature Carmenere. Whites include Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Read on for our guide to five of Chile's wine regions where you can sample the country's finest vino.
You've most likely heard of the most famous of Chile’s wine regions, the
Maipo Valley's temperate climate produces some of the world's finest Cabernet Sauvignons © Tetyana Dotsenko/Shutterstock
This contemporary Chilean wine-growing region is close to Pacific Ocean, between Santiago and the port city of Valparaiso. The
Around 160km south of Santiago, the
There's some 1,700 vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, most of which specialise in red grape varieties © Steve Allen/Shutterstock
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Just 65km north of Santiago, the broad valley is best known for the soaring snow-capped peak of Aconcagua. At a breathtaking 6,960 metres above sea level, you might already know it as the highest point in the Western Hemisphere, but it’s also making a name for itself in wine production. The mountain may sit in Argentina but it supplies the pure meltwater needed by the valley’s vineyards. The region typically has hot summers and mild winters, with lower-altitude zones getting hardly any rain. It produces delicious reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Put Viña Errázuriz, one of the region's top wineries, on your bucket list. And while scaling Aconcagua mountain isn’t for the fainthearted – it requires months of training – there are plenty of less challenging hikes for you to try.
Thriving Chilean grapes on the vine © Steve Allen/Shutterstock
The most northerly of Chile’s wine growing regions, the
There are plenty of hiking, biking and trekking opportunities around the valley, and you can round off the day with some amazing stargazing. The valley is home to the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) Observatory, the world’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
Thinking of sampling Chile's wonderful produce for yourself? Visit Chile's wine regions on a
Top image: Vineyards in the spring at Chile's Elqui Valley © Ksenia Ragozina / Shutterstock