Why Chile is Considered the Best Place for a Wine Tour

Chile is a charming and beautiful South American country. It is surrounded by Andes on one side, and the Pacific Ocean on the other side. It truly is a paradise. Apart from being a tourist destination with people coming in from all over the world, it is also famous for wines.

Chile has a long and rather tasty history of winemaking. Grapes were first introduced to Chile in the 16th century by Spanish missionaries. Since then, wines have been produced and exported from this quaint little country.

There are many places to visit in Chile, especially if you are a true wine lover. The vineyards in Chile have seen a massive burst in development in the last few years. From hotels to spas and restaurants, everything related to wine tourism is booming.

Chile produces many types of wines. The most commonly grapes grown in Chile are CarmenÃ¨re, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Â From which Cabernet Sauvignon is the largest produced variety of wine.

Chile produces both red and white wines. Some of the other well known Chilean red wines are Syrah, Pais (Mission), Pinot Noir, and Carignan. The list of white wines produced by Chile is also fairly lengthy. Besides Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay,Moscatel, Pinot Grigio and Riesling are some of the white wine varietals.

The biggest attraction in Chile for wine lovers are the various wine tours that are being arranged there. There are so many options to choose from while visiting Chile. You might actually get confused which wine tour to take. Many of them offer great wine tasting sessions and wonderful food, as well as amazing views.

Some of the most famous wine tours that are arranged for tourists are mentioned below.

#1. Wine Tours in the Casablanca Valley

Casablanca Valley, known for Sauvignon Blanc, is home to 4 of the largest wineries in Chile. The Valley is only one hour away from Santiago. Â The highlights of the tours offered here are:

Full day tours as well as specialty tours.
Wine tasting sessions with a wine expert and food provided with many of the tours..
Amazing views of nature can be enjoyed during the visit.

#2. Valparaiso Tours

Valparaiso is a beautiful port city and is an UNESCO World Heritage site. This tour offers:

Organic wine tasting is the highlight of the tour organized here.
This tour can accommodate only a maximum of 7 people thus offers a personalized experience.
Locally made cheese is also offered along with wine tastings to enhance the overall experience.
Views of the hills and the Pacific ocean presented together in this town offer the perfect scenery.

#3. San Esteban Vineyard and Andes Mountains

The experience of tasting wine in the mountains is altogether different from the rest of the tours. The highlights of this tour are:

Sightseeing of the great Andes Mountains along with a ski resort.
Complete day tour of the San Esteban Winery along with the breathtaking views of Andes.
Some of the best Chilean wines are produced here.

#4. Colchagua Valley, Top Producer of Award-Winning Wines

There are two of the bestÂ wine estates in Chile. The highlights here are:

Full day tours for visitors. This includes food along with the wine tasting.
Some of these wineries are more than a 100 years old, so a must-visit for all wine lovers looking for insight into the traditional winemaking processes in Chile.
Some of the famous wines produced here are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay.

#5. Country Grill and Horseback Wine Tour Originating from Santiago

This tour has the perfect country feeling. The tour highlights are:

Horseback riding that begins from Santiago and lasts throughout the day, (no experience required).
To experience of the Horseback Wine Tour is to guarantee a personalized experience. No more than 15 people are included in one tour.
Takes in some of the wines from Maipo Valley

#6. Maipo Valley

Maipo Valley, just outside of Santiago, has three of the most renowned wineries in Chile: Santa Rita, Concha Y Toro, and Undurraga. The highlights of tours in this area are:

The guides here are very friendly and knowledgeable.
The groups for the tours are small and ensure a complete personal touch.
The wines have a lingering and mesmerizing flavour.
Other attractions here are Devilâ€™s Casillero and Andean Museum.

#7. Half Day Wine Tour to Undurraga Winery

This is the best escape from your busy life, and offers peace and tranquility. The highlights of this area are:

The tour begins from Santiago, and is of a shorter duration.
Many varieties of wines are available for tasting.
Undurraga Winery also has been recognized as, â€œOne of the Top 100 Wineriesâ€ in 2013.

#8. CousiÃ±o Macul Wine and Bike Tour

This tour is for true explorers as you can move around the winery on your bike and explore the area at your own pace. Other highlights of this area are:

You can visit and pedal your way through Chileâ€™s oldest vineyard, CousiÃ±o Macul.
Entry to wine cellars is also encouraged.
This place truly depicts the history is has been through with its ancient relics.

Conclusion

Chile truly is the perfect destination for people who love to explore and enjoy a glass of wine. It has many more attractions along with some the most famous wineries in the world.

Apart from various excitingÂ wine tours available, there are many other places to visit in Chile. Some of them are Torres del Paine National Park, Ranko Raraku (also known as Easter Island), Rapa Nui National Park, Sky Costanera, and many more.

It truly is a paradise for any wine lover.