Chile is recognized world-wide for the quality and excellence of its wines. The wine producing activity occurs mainly in the central zone of the country that has the conditions suitable for cultivating the best grapes, although in the recent years the wine map has been extended to include the Elqui Valley and the Rivers regions, which makes Chilean grape and wine growing the perfect mixture between tradition and innovation.
The best varieties of Chilean Chardonnay are produced on the coastal edge of the Atacama desert. The fields covered with mist, next to poor and calcium rich soils give rise to sparkling and complex wines. The vineyards of the Limari Valley receive abundant sunshine and are blessed with superb growing conditions. The lack of rain and the cold wind influence during the maturation of the grape yield surprisingly favorable results for Syrah. Vineyards of the Valley: House Tamaya, Francisco de Aguirre, Concha y Toro and Tabalí.
In 1870 Maximiliano Errázuriz started his adventure in winemaking by planting in Aconcagua. Today, more than ten vineyards produce wines with grapes from the Aconcagua valley, a soil in which the grapes mature in a state marked by very little rainfall. In summer the temperatures are high, reaching 93.2°F. Afternoons in this valley receive a refreshing breeze that lets deep-rooted and well-balanced grapes grow. It is in the zone of Panquehue where the majority of the vineyards are concentrated, since it is boxed in on both sides by the Andes mountains, where the north wind moves and allows the marine influence to cool the zone. Some of the exemplary wines of this unique valley are Syrahs of great body and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyards of the Valley: San Esteban, Augustinian, Errázuriz, Bon Siebenthal, Sanchez de Loria and Seña.
The valley of Casablanca went from being a dry plain to a wine producing zone with great potential. It is located only 50 miles from Santiago and its creation - 24 years ago-started with the discovery of its microclimate and the characteristics of its soil which, at the time, was compared to the Californian valleys of Napa and Carneros. With a warm-temperate climate and argillaceous soils, the valley of Casablanca is known as the best valley for the white grapes such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and even more, for red grapes. It is the best zone to produce strong Pinot Noir because of its balance between maximum and cool temperatures. Vineyards of the Valley: Loma Larga, Kingston Family, Casas del Bosque, Vía Wine Group, William Cole, Laroche, Veramonte, Viña Mar and Indómita.
In spite of its short history this is an extraordinary Valley for Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is located in the V Region, 28 miles to the south of Valparaiso and 75 miles to the west of Santiago. It has a semi dry climate, with rainfalls that do not exceed the 250mm per year. The summer is warm with maximum temperatures of 77°F. Due to its proximity to the sea it receives a particularly cold current and there is more humidity than usual, which forces vines to produce small clusters that mature very slowly but that concentrate much more flavor and aroma in the grapes. Vineyards of the Valley: Matetic, Casa Marín, Chocalán, Leyda and Garcés Silva.
This it is definitely the valley that elevates the viniculture in Chile. It is flanked to the east by the Andes mountain range and to the west by the mountainous cord of the coast. It has excellent alluvial soil and suitable geo-climatic conditions for the production of fine wines. It is divided into four sub zones: Alto Maipo, Bajo Maipo, Maipo Medio and Maipo Costa, that show diverse characteristics, sub climates and a wide range of wines that reflect different personalities according to their proximity to the ocean or mountains.
The climate is tempered Mediterranean, with warm and dry summers. It rains an average of 330 mm per year and it almost never experience frosts. Maipo Medio is the zone that has major risk of spring frosts, due to its remoteness near the mountain range. Since it is located 500 meters above sea level, it receives warm winds that allow earlier maturation. Bajo Maipo is characterized by its stony soil and a colder climate. In spite of having four different sub-soils, all have the common denominator of Cabernet Sauvignons, which are mature with a delicate note of eucalyptus and mint. Vineyards of the Valley: Canepa, Santa Carolina, Harás de Pirque, Doña Javiera, Portal del Alto, Nido de Águila, Aquitania, Carmen, Terramater, Cousiño Macul, Santa Rita, Tarapacá, Domus, Ángelo Corbo, De Martino, Concha y Toro, Antiyal, Viñedos Emiliana, Casal de Gorchs, Huelquén, Barón P. de Rothschild, Almaviva, Pérez Cruz, Santa Ema, Odfjell, Chocalán, William Fevre, Casa Rivas, Ventisquero, El Principal and Undurraga.
It is located 52 miles to the south of Santiago and is one of the wine producing zones of Chile that have strong international market penetration. The main reason why it achieved this status is that It is considered one of the most fertile valleys yielding wines of exceptional quality and character. The protection that the mountain chain offers to the valley, turns Cachapoal into a microclimate that offers the best conditions for Merlot and Carmenere. Many of the vineyards are next to the Andes, at Alto Cachapoal where the Cabernet Souvignon stands out. Winters are usually cold and rainy, which makes irrigation less necessary in the warmer months. The soil is barren, poor and stony, due to the proximity to the Cachapoal River. Vineyards of the Valley: La Ronciere, Anakena, Misiones de Rengo, Porta, Casas del Toqui, Morandé, Santa Mónica, Casa Lapostolle, Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Altair, La Rosa, San Isidro, Gracia, Chateau Los Boldos and Torreón de Paredes.
The Valley of Colchagua is one of the most outstanding agricultural zones of Chile, it extends from the city of San Fernando to the north to Chimbarongo in the south. The region is notable for the “huasa” traditions, the local traditions like the rodeo, the wine and cueca (national dance). Colchagua is the valley of red wine and it reaches a total planted surface of 22,227 hectares. It has an ideal climate for Carmenere and Syrah, since they rely on the four defined seasons to obtain the needed maturation of the grapes. Vineyards of the Valley Errázuriz Ovalle, Apaltagua, Hacienda Araucano, Canepa, Montes, La Posada, Sutil, Montgras, Luis Felipe Edwards, Caliterra, Siegel, Cono Sur, Santa Rita, Estampa, Ravanal, El Huique, Casa Lapostolle, Viñedos Emiliana, Bisquertt, Santa Laura, Casa Silva, Los Vascos, Viu Manent, Portal del Alto, Santa Helena and Viñedos Emiliana.
Located less than 200 km to the south from Santiago. It is ranked as the second valley of major wine production of the country and concentrates 20% of the surface of vineyards with territory that reaches a total of 17,140 hectares, mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s part of the 16 vines that organized themselves to promote the tradition of the valley, through guided tour visits and special events. The landscape appears like a surface flanked by a mountainous cords, presents a Mediterranean, warm climate, with dry summers and temperatures that reach the 89,6°F. Their grounds are flat, with alluvial origins, average fertility, frank texture and a good irrigation thanks to the diverse water canals that cross the valley. This is why most of the vines does not require technician irrigation in its plantations. Vineyards of the Valley: Santa Helena, Millamán, la Fortuna, Santa Hortensia, Requingua, San Pedro, Montes, Mario edwards, Echeverria, Los Robles, Santa Rita, Pirazzoli, Las Pitras, Terramater, Aresti, Correa Albano, Torrealba, Vía Wine Group, Miguel Torres, Altacima, Inés Escobar and Valdivieso.
Located less than 200 km to the south of Santiago, it is ranked as the second valley of major wine production in the country. 20% of the area is dedicated to vineyards representing 17,140 hectares of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon. An organization of 16 vineyards have organized themselves to promote the traditions of the valley, through guided tour visits and special events. The landscape is flanked by mountainous cords and has a warm Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and temperatures that reach the 89.6°F. The ground is flat, with alluvial origins, average fertility, even texture and a good irrigation thanks to the diverse water canals that cross the valley. This is why most of the vines does not require hi-tech irrigation. Vineyards of the Valley: Santa Helena, Millamán, la Fortuna, Santa Hortensia, Requingua, San Pedro, Montes, Mario edwards, Echeverria, Los Robles, Santa Rita, Pirazzoli, Las Pitras, Terramater, Aresti, Correa Albano, Torrealba, Vía Wine Group, Miguel Torres, Altacima, Inés Escobar and Valdivieso.
The oldest vines in Chile are in this area. It is located 155 miles to the south of Santiago. It has the greatest number of planted vineyards in Chile with a total of 33,158 hectares, 31% dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% to white grapes. The climate is Mediterranean sub-humid. Rainfalls can reach 760 mm during the winter months, while in summer the high temperatures can reach 89.6°F. The vineyards are mainly in the wide valley that runs from the north to the south with fertile soil. Vineyards of the Valley: Vía Wine Group, Corral Victoria, Cremaschi Furlotti, Botalcura, Casas Patronales, El Aromo, Casa Verdi, Terramater, Carta Vieja, Viñedos del Maule, Carpe Diem, Sol de Chile, Calina, Vinos del Sur, Segú, Hugo Casanova, J. Bouchon, Martínez de Salinas, Casa Donoso, Gillmore, Lomas de Cauquenes, Valle Frío, Balduzzi, Terranoble and Los Acantos.
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