Explore Chilean Wine Regions

Chile wine country is one of the first New World wine countries to start wine production. Spanish conquistadors brought the first Vitis Vinifera vines here once they colonized the region. The climate of Chile wine country is evenly dry and warm; vine diseases are rare. Most Chilean wine grows in the Central Valley south of Santiago. However, part of the grape harvest, mainly in the northern regions of Atacama and Coquimbo, is distilled for the production of the national drink Pisco.

Check out the list of the best wineries in Chile

Chilean wine regions have carved a niche for themselves in the global wine industry, particularly renowned are the Colchagua Valley, Maipo Valley, and the Elqui Valley. The Colchagua Valley is known for its fine red wines, especially its world-class Carmenere. The Maipo Valley, conveniently located near Santiago, the country's capital, is revered for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Meanwhile, the Elqui Valley, famous for its clear skies, produces high-quality Syrah and is gaining recognition for its unique cool-climate wines. These regions form the backbone of Chile's distinguished wine production.

Chile Wine Map

Discover some of the best wine tasting tours in Chile

The Humboldt Current running off the coast ensures that the temperatures do not rise too high and fall at night. The light intensity is high, and the grapes ripen everywhere. These factors lead to a strong concentration of aromas, which is typical of Chilean wines.

However, irrigation is often required, either by flooding the vineyards or drip irrigation with water from the melting Andean glaciers. The range of grape varieties ranges from Chardonnay to Sauvignon Blanc, whereas the far larger part is planted with red varieties. Above all, Chile is known for Cabernet Sauvignon, which gives cool, full-bodied, tannin-emphasized wines that are reminiscent of black currant, eucalyptus, and cedarwood in their aroma.

The Land of Carménère

Coming from Bordeaux to Chile in the 19th century, the Carmenère developed splendidly here. Today, Chilean oenologists strive to make Carmenère a very special, distinctive “Chilean” wine. So, Carmenère grape variety is also on the rise, often producing wines with 14% alcohol or more and smelling of leather and berry jam. But the heat-resistant Syrah can also be found in Chile, which results in some of the best wines in the country.

Chilean Wine Regions

Chile wine country occupies a long, narrow strip of land on the western coast of South America. The climate of the country is influenced by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Chilean wine regions are located along the 1300 km stretch of land from the Atacama Region in the north to the Bio-Bio in the south. The majority of the Chilean wine regions are located in the Central Valley of the country, where vineyards are bounded by the Andes Mountain Range to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. On the other hand, the Atacama Desert in the north and the glaciers of Patagonia in the south provide natural protection for the vineyards located in the Central Valley.

Central Valley of Chile wine country combines regions such as:

Maipo Valley - Located close to Santiago, Maipo Valley is a very popular destination among both locals and tourists.

Rapel Valley - Where you will be able to discover some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Curicó Valley - One of the most important Chilean wine regions that played a big role in paving the way for the expansion of winemaking in other regions.

Maule Valley - One of the largest Chilean wine regions, which is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards as well as a small quantity of Malbec and Carignan.

Don't miss a chance to visit hidden territories of the Southern Region, where together with the country's premium wines, you will be enjoying the exceptional natural beauty of Biobio River, Nahuelbuta National Park, and of course, arid steppes, grasslands, and deserts of Patagonia.