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Central Valley & Wine Region

Wine and Chile go hand in hand and if you enjoy a good glass of red or white then a visit to some of the country’s vineyards is an absolute must.

Chile has a long viticultural history for a New World wine region dating to the 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors brought ‘Vitis vinifera’ vines with them as they colonised the region. In the mid-18th century French wine varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were also introduced. In the early 1980s a renaissance began with the introduction of stainless steel fermentation tanks and the use of oak barrels for aging.

Wine exports grew very quickly as quality wine production increased.

The Colchagua Valley - a winemaker’s paradise - is just two hours drive south of Santiago or half an hour by plane. It was formed by the Tinguiririca river, which flows for 120km down from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean through the Colchagua Valley. It creates a very special climate, described as midway between that of California and France and one particularly favourable for growing vines. The most common grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère.

Better get tasting!

Hacienda Los Lingues in the Colchagua valley is a wonderful 17th century, family-owned country estate in the heart of Chile's wine growing region. It boasts 18 charming rooms all decorated in the Chilean ‘colonial style’ and is crammed full of antique furniture. A visit to the Hacienda Los Lingues is like going back in time, in the best possible way and is a real treat incorporated into any itinerary. More…

The Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza is a beautiful and impressive hotel in downtown Santa Cruz. It has 85 tastefully decorated rooms.. More…

Just an hour south of Santiago, the Hotel Casa Real is a magnificent mansion set in 70 acres of beautifully maintained gardens in the estate of the famous Santa Rita vineyard. It is hidden away amongst world-class vineyards and was built in 1883. More…

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