Sample Sauvignon and Chardonnay at Chile’s premier white-wine growing region.
Since the early 1980s the Casablanca Valley has developed as Chile’s first cool-climate wine-growing region (similar to California’s Sonoma Valley). It’s known for white wines, notably Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, but also produces some excellent Syrah, with some Pinot Noir and Merlot grown, too. Some wineries also produce red wine with grapes trucked in from the Maule Valley and elsewhere. Many of the wineries are big and kitschy, set on hills overlooking Ruta 68, the autopista between Santiago and Valparaíso. This location means they get a lot of visitors, including tour groups and excursions from cruise liners. The Casablanca Ruta del Vino is now inactive, so visitors can call the wineries direct or contact Wine Tours Chile.