ATTRACTIONS

Whites or reds, what to choose? Shall it be a Cabernet Sauvignon, or a Merlot? Perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay? The diversity is so big that it's not easy to choose. Everyone who has made the tour of these generous vineyards is well aware of this fact. If you want to be faced with this tempting dilemma, Visit one of the following places:

VALLE DE MAIPO

This is the oldest wine growing region in the country. Its many vineyards and wineries are famed for their excellent reds, each with its own distinctive qualities, despite the fact that they come from the same varieties. While in the valley, visit the following establishments:

-Viña Santa Carolina, it was founded in 1875 by Luis Pereira Cotapos, who gave it the name of wife. Its wines come from French varietals from the Bordeaux area (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot). Its old "casa hacienda" and original cellars are located at Rodrigo de Araya 1431, Santiago.

- Viña Cousiño Macul, this is Chile's oldest winery and is considered one of the best in the world. In 1546 it started out making Mass wines for the Eucharist, and since 1856 it is owned by the Cousiño family. The guided tour of its cellars includes an Introductory Course to the manufacturing of both red and white wines; a history of wine making and, of course, of wine tasting.
Its casa hacienda, cellars and park are located at 7100 Quilin Avenue in Peñalolen.

- Concha y Toro was founded in 1880 by Melchor Concha y Toro. This is the largest vineyard in the country and also the main wine exporter. Here you will see the beautiful European-style gardens, the "Casona de Pirque", an imposing 19th century building, and the old cellars where you will be honoured wit some wine tasting.
It is sited 40 kms south of Santiago, in Pirque, at 210 Virginia Subercaseux Street.

- Undurraga was inaugurated in 1885, and is one of the few vineyards that still remain in the hands of the founder's family. These pioneers of the Chilean wine industry combine German and French varietals in their vines. The tour includes a visit to the casa hacienda, the storage cellars and the beautiful park. It is sited in the Melipilla area.

VALLE DE RAPEL

It exposes an excellent cellar and an exhibit of Chilean rural, architectural features and vine-growing methods are the main attractions of this wine-producing area located 180 kms from Santiago.
Rapel, south of the Maipo, includes the valleys of Colchagua and Cachapoal.

-Valle de Colchagua is a valley renowned for the excellent quality of its red wines. The harvest Festival starts in March with a wine-tasting in Plaza Santa Cruz.
On the tour of its more than a dozen vineyards the excursions include, in addition to the usual wine-tasting and explanations of the wine-manufacturing process, getting closer to the lifestyle and traditions of the valley's inhabitants. The following Colchagua vineyards are recommended for a visit:

• Viña Santa Laura had its first vines were planted in 1979. Its low-volume high quality production is mostly destined for the European and U.S. markets. It is the showpiece of the valley's vineyards.
  
  
• Viña Bisquertconsidered a pioneer in fine wine production, this vineyard is over 150 years old, although it only began bottling its own brand of wine in 1991. Its modern production technology makes a picturesque contrast with its venerable dining room and the exhibit of horse-drawn carriages that are included in the tour.
  
  
• Viña MontGras winery was founded in 1992 to produce quality wines using state-of-the-art technology from grape reception to bottling. Over 90% of its production is exported to European, North American, Latin American and Asian markets. The wine-tasting of its excellent production takes place on the slopes of a nearby mountain, affording a majestic view of the valley below.
  
  
• Viña Viu Manent winery features a French-style mansion.
  
  

- Valle de Cachapoal, This is a new tour including 12 wineries, in which a wide variety of varietals such as Merlot and Carmenere are grown. The most important vineyards are those of Chateau de los Boldos (the oldest in the valley), Gracia, Morandé, Anakena, Hacienda Los Lingues, among others.

- Valle de Curico, this is, perhaps, the most attractive wine-growing area in the country, Its name in Mapuche means "black waters". It is 200 kms south of Santiago and has around 17,000 hectares of vineyards which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot, among others.
This valley is an important fruit-growing area and that makes its wines to be generally fruit-flavored. Many of them have international recognition.
San Pedro, Miguel Torres, Valdivieso, Pirazzoli and La Fortuna are some of its most important vineyards: In this valley they celebrate a colourful and spirited Wine Harvest Festival in March.

- Valle de Maule, its vineyards are placed around the Central Valley and on the hillsides of the Coastal Cordillera. Only 260 kms separate it from Santiago. Maule specializes in the manufacturing of red wines from varietals of Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. The most important vineyards are: Balduzzi, Calina, El Aromo and Tabontinaja, the latter includes an exhibit of all the varietals planted in Chile.
The tours of vineyards are rounded off with excursions to colonial towns, museums and natural wildlife areas, as well as an opportunity to sample the typical cuisine of this region. The trail usually starts at Talca with a visit to the Huilquilemu Museum, a 19th century vineyard mansion house, with adobe walls and a cobbled floor. Other places of interest are the towns of Villa Alegre and Yerbas Buenas, full of colonial taste, and a captivating tour of the Altos de Lircay National Reserve, with its beautiful landscapes and archaeological sites.

- Valle de Casablanca, this valley is noted for the indisputable quality of its white wines and Pinot Noir, most of which are meant for export.
This is one of the valleys that is growing more quickly, having 25 vineyards in the Aconcagua wine growing region located along the highway that goes from Santiago to Viña del Mar.
During this tour, one learns about the history, culture and lore of the region while sampling the wines made in the area.
Try these vineyards: Veramonte, Villard State, Viña Indomita and Viña Mar de Casablanca, among others.