Share in your social networks:

Colchagua Valley and Santa Cruz

Chile is known for its excellent wines, and the Santiago region offers a lot in this regard. One of the most prestigious wine regions in the country is Colchagua Valley. Located in the heart of central Chile, it is an icon of the national wine industry.

Many vineyards are found here, offering tours and tastings.

A highlight is Viña Santa Cruz. A cable car takes you to the top of Cerro Chamán, where you can observe the stars at the observatory with the same name.

You can also:

Visit a vintage car museum
Explore a themed museum that tells the story of different eras in Chilean history

If you enjoy good food, wine, and culture, Colchagua is the perfect destination.

Where is Colchagua Valley?

Colchagua Valley is located about 150 kilometers south of Santiago. Its main city is San Fernando, though Santa Cruz is also an important hub.

The valley is:

Warm and dry by nature
Watered by the Tinguiririca River
A narrow agricultural region stretching from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean

Covering an area of around 910,000 hectares, the valley offers:

Diverse microclimates
Various soil types
Hills perfect for vineyards

It is ideal for producing:

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah
Carménère
Malbec

The term Valle de Colchagua is also a Chilean denomination of origin, protected under Agriculture Decree No. 464 (1994), which regulates vineyard zoning and origin labeling.

What to See in the Colchagua Valley

Most wine tours in Chile include stops in Colchagua Valley. A standout experience is the Wine Train, a restored steam locomotive with four first-class cars. It takes you to various vineyards for tastings.

Fodor’s travel site listed Chile’s wine valleys among the top 11 honeymoon destinations in 2015.

Colchagua means “place of small lagoons”. It is rich in culture and tradition. Historically, it was part of the Inca Empire, and later home to wealthy Chilean families who built large mansions—some of which still exist.

Key towns include:

San Fernando
Santa Cruz
Chimbarongo – famous for wicker crafts
Lolol – declared a Typical or Picturesque Zone for preserving its colonial architecture
Pichilemu – a well-known surf resort on the coast

Don’t miss the Colchagua Wine Route, which includes 17 wineries offering wine tastings, vineyard tours, hotels, restaurants, and horseback riding.

You can also explore:

El Tren del Vino
Local markets and traditional food
Museums and historical sites

In Santa Cruz, visit the Colchagua Museum, one of Chile’s most important cultural heritage collections.

Here are some top vineyards you can visit in the Colchagua Valley:

Santa Cruz Vineyard

Set in a magical landscape
Offers organic, premium wines made using sustainable practices
Activities include:
- Trekking on Cerro Chamán
- Stargazing at the astronomical center
- Wine tastings under the stars

Casa Silva Vineyard

One of the most traditional vineyards in the valley
Features:
- A historic house and the oldest winery in the region
- A boutique hotel, restaurant, and polo field
Enjoy:
- Wine tastings
- Carriage rides through the vineyards
- Chilean rodeo shows

Vik Vineyard

Known as the “place of gold”
Surrounded by microclimates and cooled by a coastal breeze
Features include:
- Drip irrigation system
- Horseback riding
- Mountain biking
- Gourmet cuisine
- High-tech winemaking

Lapostolle Clos Apalta Vineyard

Uses gravity in its wine production process
Combines architecture and winemaking
Offers 1-hour tours with tastings

Las Niñas Vineyard

Located in a horseshoe-shaped valley
Known for:
- Clay and volcanic soil
- Wines like Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and the premium High Heel
Activities include:
- Cycling
- Picnics by a dam
- Cellar tours at night, where the semi-transparent facade lights up

MontGras Vineyard

Offers interactive experiences:
- Harvest grapes
- Make your own wine
- Blind tastings
- Wine and food pairing
- Horseback riding

Colchagua Valley Vineyards: location map

The Carménere: the wine of Chile

Carménère is a red grape originally from the Médoc region in Bordeaux, France. It is part of the Cabernet family and was traditionally used in blends with Petit Verdot.

The name comes from the French word carmin due to the bright red color of its leaves in the fall. It was also known as Grande Vidure, a term now banned by EU rules for imported Chilean wines.

Carménère is one of the six original Bordeaux red grapes, along with:

Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc
Merlot
Malbec
Petit Verdot

Today, it is rare in France. Instead, Chile is the largest producer of Carménère, with around 8,800 hectares planted as of 2009.

Chile leads in:

Carménère wine production
Experiments blending Carménère with other grapes, especially Cabernet Sauvignon

Book an excursion to enjoy the wines of Chile in the Colchagua Valley

From Santiago, you can book the excursion to Santa Cruz and the Colchagua Valley

Wine Tours in Chile and Argentina

Wine Tours? If you´re looking for Wine Tours, we have a complete list of amazing wine tours in Chile and Argentina. Check more!

Visiting Santiago? check our best tours to enjoy Chile

#353 – Santiago, Atacama Desert & Easter Island – 9 nights
#351 – Santiago, Torres del Paine and Atacama Desert – 9 nights
#363 – Santiago, Atacama, Torres del Paine & Skorpios III Cruise – 12 nts
#360 – Chilean Patagonia and Atacama Desert – 12 nts

Tours in Chile with Argentina, Peru, and other destinations in Chile

It´s a nice list of four tours including the Santiago, Valparaiso and Viña del Mar in the itinerary. But, a great idea is to combine these places, with other destinations in Chile and why not… Argentina and Peru. Check some great options below:

#1052 – From Rio to Santiago via Iguazu, Buenos Aires and Atacama – 18 nts
#1081 – Colorful Argentina, Chile & Peru – 17 nights
#1004 – Argentina & Chile in 12 nights – Option IV – 12 nts
#1090 – The Great tour of South America – 26 nights