The best wineries near Santiago and how to visit them

Santiago is one of the few capitals in the world with vineyards inside the city. In under an hour you can go from a downtown street to a century-old cellar with the Andes behind it. This guide sums up the wineries we recommend most and how to plan your visit.

Maipo Valley: the classic next to the city

The Maipo is the home of Chile's great cabernet sauvignon. Its closest wineries are in Peñalolén, Pirque and Buin.

• Cousiño Macul (Peñalolén): founded in 1856 and still run by the founding family. Its 19th-century cellars are among the most beautiful in the country.
• Viña Aquitania (Peñalolén): a boutique winery founded in 1990 by Bruno Prats, Paul Pontallier and Felipe de Solminihac. Small groups and outstanding wines right under the Andes.
• Concha y Toro (Pirque): Chile's best-known winery, founded in 1883, home of the legendary Casillero del Diablo cellar.
• Santa Rita (Alto Jahuel): a century-old park, a neo-Gothic chapel and the Bodega de los 120 patriotas, where, the story goes, soldiers hid after the battle of Rancagua in 1814.
• Tarapacá (Isla de Maipo) and Odfjell (Padre Hurtado): two more rural estates, perfect for a country day with lunch.

Casablanca: crisp whites on the way to the coast

An hour from Santiago, the Casablanca Valley is cooled by the Pacific breeze. This is the place for sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir. Wineries such as Casas del Bosque and Bodegas RE pair perfectly with a lunch among the vines.

Half day or full day?

• Half day (4–5 hours): one winery, one tasting and back to the city. Ideal if you are short on time. For example, Concha y Toro half-day or Cousiño Macul.
• Full day (7–8 hours): two wineries and lunch, without rushing. We recommend not doing two tastings back to back: lunch makes the difference. See Cousiño Macul & Santa Rita or Aquitania & Concha y Toro.

Tips for your visit

1. Book ahead: most wineries only take visitors with a reservation.
2. Don't drive: with a tour that includes transport you can enjoy every glass.
3. When to go: harvest is in March and April; spring (September to November) brings green vineyards and mild days.
4. Bring a jacket: underground cellars are cool even in summer.

Prefer to go with just your group? All our wine routes also run privately or tailor-made.