Wineries near Santiago: a guide to the best wine tours

The best wineries near Santiago are in the Maipo Valley, the historic region for reds, and in the Casablanca Valley, a world reference for white wines. The most visited names are Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, Undurraga and Cousiño Macul, all less than 80 km from the capital, with guided tours, tastings and a complimentary glass.

Which are the best wineries near Santiago?

The choice depends on the style of wine and how far you're willing to travel. Concha y Toro, in Pirque, about 30 km from the centre, is Latin America's largest producer and the most famous thanks to the Casillero del Diablo legend. Santa Rita, in the heart of the Maipo Valley, is known for its gardens, the Andean Museum and a tour that can be done by bike with the Andes as a backdrop. Undurraga, in Talagante, some 35 km out, charms visitors with its aroma room, the first of its kind in Chile, with more than 40 aromatic descriptors. Cousiño Macul, in Peñalolén, is the closest winery to the centre, within the metropolitan area itself, founded in 1856 and still run by the same family. Over in the Casablanca Valley, 80 km away, Emiliana shines as a fully organic and biodynamic estate, alongside Veramonte, specialists in the region's crisp whites.

What's included in a wine tour?

The classic visit usually lasts an hour to an hour and a half and blends history, landscape and tasting. At Concha y Toro, for instance, you walk through the gardens, the 19th-century summer house and the varietal garden with dozens of grape varieties, then descend into the underground Casillero del Diablo cellar, with a tasting of three to four wines and a glass to take home at the end. At Undurraga, the Sibaris Tour takes you through the vineyards, the underground cellar, the aroma room and a tasting of four reserve wines, also with a complimentary glass. At Cousiño Macul, the premium tour is more complete, with a tasting of six wines, small bites paired with them and a personalised glass. The complimentary glass you take home is practically a tradition on Chilean tours.

How much does it cost to visit a winery near Santiago?

Prices vary with the winery, the level of tasting and whether transport is included. Basic tours usually run between 20,000 and 45,000 Chilean pesos, roughly 22 to 50 dollars, including the guided visit and a tasting of three or four wines. At Concha y Toro, the classic tour is around 50,000 pesos for the visit alone, rising to about 76,000 with transport from Santiago and 100,000 for the version with lunch at the restaurant. Undurraga has options starting at 12,000 pesos when bought directly at the ticket office — the Sibaris Tour — climbing to the 37,000 to 51,000 range for packages with transfers. At Cousiño Macul, prices range from the regular tour to the icon tour, with the premium around 25,000 pesos. It's always worth checking the day's exchange rate and booking ahead.

How do you get to the wineries near Santiago?

By car is the most comfortable option, using Google Maps or Waze with the winery's name. Concha y Toro is at Av. Virginia Subercaseaux 210, in Pirque, 30 km from the centre. Undurraga is on the Camino a Melipilla, km 34, in Talagante. For the Casablanca Valley, 80 km away, the route is Ruta 68, the same road as Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, about an hour to an hour and fifteen. Those who prefer public transport can combine metro and bus, taking line 1 to Estación Central and continuing from the San Borja terminal, or line 4 to Las Mercedes towards Pirque, always with a taxi for the final stretch. Many travellers opt for Uber or a private taxi that waits at the winery, or for tours with transport and a guide included. One important detail: several wineries don't take visitors without a reservation, so book ahead.

Is it worth visiting the wineries in winter?

Very much so, and winter has a charm of its own. Between June and September the vines are bare and fruitless, as they go dormant, but tastings run as normal and gain a cosy atmosphere. In the areas near Santiago, such as the Maipo and Casablanca valleys, temperatures usually sit between 4°C and 15°C, perfect weather for trying full-bodied reds like Carménère, the country's signature grape, or an oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon. The tasting rooms are heated, many with a fireplace, and groups are smaller, which makes the visit more intimate and informative, with more room to talk to the winemakers. If the idea is to combine wine with snow, winter in Santiago brings the two together within a few kilometres.