The Maipo Valley, located just south of Santiago is the most famous wine valley of Chile. Here the original great wine estates were established in the 19th century and have flourished ever since. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenere of the highest quality are exported world wide.
By contrast, the Casablanca valley is one of the newest wine areas. It is less than an hour from Santiago, and thirty minutes from Chile’s most famous coastal resort, Viña del Mar. Converted from goat pasture to modern vineyards in the last 15 years, it has already gained world recognition for the quality of its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Day 01. Santiago
Reception at airport and transfer to hotel of your choice. In the afternoon we make a city tour along the major avenues, civic center, and La Moneda Palace. The traditional Plaza de Armas, surrounded by important buildings such as the Cathedral, the Historical museum and Central post office, are also included. The beautiful Central Market building features a color sample of fruits, seafood and flowers. We continue to the San Cristóbal hill where we enjoy a magnificent view of the city. Spread before us are the high rise apartment buildings and elegant residential areas, all constructed in the last two decades. We also tour around El Golf and Las Condes areas. Later transfer to a wine house where you have the opportunity to buy the finest wines from well-known Chilean wineries. Our trip continues to an exclusive crafts shop where we find the finest jewelry and handcrafts. Return to hotel. Overnight, Santiago.
Day 02. Santiago
Breakfast and departure for a full day excursion to Maipo Valley, visiting Concha y Toro winery, located in Pirque since the 19th-century. Don Marques of Casa Concha y Toro and his wife built a fine country house in Pirque with a 25 hectare park stretching to the banks of the Maipo river. In 1994 Concha y Toro became the Chile’s biggest wine producer. The area of vineyard owned has been extended to 3,300 hectares divided over more than ten locations. We continue to the Santa Rita winery where we find more than 30 hectares of trees, shrubs, flowers and lakes tucked away behind the winery. In the second half of the 19th century, Domingo Fernández Concha built a mansion and planted a vineyard with French vines. The mansion was used as a hiding place for Bernardo O’Higgins, the General who won independence for Chile. Santa Rita exports a million cases of wine per year. Lunch takes place in the winery restaurant. Return to hotel. Overnight, Santiago.
Day 03. Santiago / Viña - Valparaíso
Breakfast, departure to Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. Our two-hour drive passes through the Curacaví and Casablanca valleys, where Veramonte, one of Chile’s most striking wineries, is located. The architecture combines French chateau with up-scale Californian style. This winery opened in 1998. Our trip continues to the picturesque port of Valparaiso. The city climbs the hills through alleys and public stairs. A tour along the narrow avenues of the port and Plaza Mayor features a spectacular view of the bay and the hillside architecture. Our time in Viña del Mar includes a visit to the Plaza Vergara and the casino. We visit a wine house where we can buy Chile’s finest wines. Finally, we visit the famous beaches: Las Salinas and Reñaca. Lunch is included. Overnight, Viña del Mar.
Seven breakfasts
