Sipping Through Chile – Our Top 4 Wineries
If Wine Is your Love Language – Chile speaks it fluently!
On our recent visit to Santiago, Chile, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore the country’s incredible wine culture. Chile is home to some of the most distinctive and dynamic terroirs in the world. Nowhere else does winemaking unfold at such a dramatic crossroads of ocean breezes, Andean peaks, arid desert, and ancient glaciers.
Wine has been a part of Chilean culture since the 16th century, and today, the country is firmly on the world map of exceptional wine regions. Discerning drinkers adore Chile not just for the quality in the glass, but for its deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. In fact, Chile is one of the largest producers of sustainable wines in the world.
If you want to get a well-rounded taste of Chile’s diverse terroirs, we recommend venturing just north and south of the capital—between the coastal city of Valparaíso and the breathtaking Millahue Valley. And while you could try to squeeze it all into day trips, let’s be honest: wine tasting involves… well, tasting. So do yourself a favour—hire a driver or plan to spend a night or two, especially in charming towns like Santa Cruz in the Colchagua Valley.
Here are our Top 4 Wineries to Visit, each offering a unique window into Chile’s winemaking magic – and yes, you will also learn about Carmenère—Chile’s flagship varietal with a fascinating past:
Viña Montes – Colchagua Valley
Located in the heart of the Colchagua Valley, Viña Montes is a true pioneer of Chilean winemaking. Founded in 1988 by Aurelio Montes Sr. and his partners, it was one of the first estates to prove that Chile could produce premium wines on par with the world’s best.
Innovation is at the core of Viña Montes. The winery introduced dry farming techniques, relying solely on rainfall to conserve water and enhance grape quality. Today, it leads in sustainability with regenerative agriculture, organic and biodynamic practices, wildlife conservation efforts, and the use of renewable energy.
Built according to Feng Shui principles, the winery is a serene space where natural elements and soft Gregorian chants in the barrel room reflect the estate’s belief in harmony and balance throughout the winemaking process.
THE WINES
Viña Montes is best known for its flagship Montes Alpha M, a bold yet elegant Bordeaux-style blend. Other highlights include:
- Montes Folly – A rich Syrah from steep hillside vineyards
- Purple Angel – A benchmark Carménère with depth and complexity
- Montes Alpha Series – Premium varietals offering great value and quality
THE EXPERIENCE
Visitors can explore the stunning vineyards and state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery before enjoying a wine-paired meal at Fuegos de Apalta, the on-site restaurant by renowned chef Francis Mallmann, known for his signature open-flame cooking.
Viña Montes is not just a winery—it’s a destination that blends innovation, sustainability, and sensory delight in every glass.
Concha y Toro – Maipo Valley
As Chile’s most iconic and internationally recognized winery, Concha y Toro is more than a household name—it’s a cornerstone of the country’s winemaking legacy. Founded in 1883 by Don Melchor Concha y Toro in the fertile Maipo Valley, the winery helped introduce French vines to Chilean soil, laying the groundwork for a brand that now exports to over 140 countries.
Over a century later, Concha y Toro remains a global force, consistently ranked among the world’s most admired wine brands.
A PORTFOLIO OF LEGENDS
From entry-level favorites to collectible fine wines, Concha y Toro’s portfolio reflects Chile’s vast diversity of terroirs and varietals. It played a key role in the revival of Carmenère, crafting standouts like Terrunyo and the famed Carmín de Peumo from vineyards in Peumo.
- Don Melchor – A flagship Cabernet Sauvignon from Alto Maipo, Chile’s first ultra-premium wine and a frequent top scorer in global rankings.
- Marques de Casa Concha – Elegant single-varietal wines from top sites across Chile.
- Casillero del Diablo – A global bestseller with a devilish legend and consistently high quality.
- Terrunyo – Single-vineyard wines that capture the nuances of place and grape with precision.
WHERE LEGEND MEETS LEGACY
Visitors to the Pirque estate, just outside Santiago, can explore the manicured gardens, historic mansion, and the mythical Casillero del Diablo cellar, where a tale of wine—and the Devil—continues to intrigue guests more than a century after it began.
INNOVATION ROOTED IN TRADITION
While steeped in history, Concha y Toro is also a leader in sustainable viticulture and wine research. From precision farming and water-saving tech to its cutting-edge Center for Research and Innovation, the winery continues to evolve while protecting the land that made its name.
Experience Concha y Toro—where heritage, storytelling, and innovation come together to define Chilean wine on a global scale.
Viña VIK – Millahue Valley
Viña VIK isn’t just a winery—it’s the result of a visionary quest to craft world-class Bordeaux-style wines in Chile. Founded in 2006 by Norwegian entrepreneur Alexander Vik, the estate was born from a scientific search across 6,000 hectares in South America to find the perfect terroir. The chosen spot? A secluded, breathtaking corner of the Millahue Valley, about two hours south of Santiago, known as the “Place of Gold.”
This exceptional location, with its diverse soils and cool ocean breezes, provides ideal conditions for producing elegant, complex wines with distinct character.
INNOVATION MEETS ARTISTRY
The winery is an architectural marvel. Designed by Chilean architect Smiljan Radic, its futuristic titanium roof and gravity-fed design blend seamlessly into the landscape, while natural light floods the interior. Every element—from building materials to the layout—was chosen to serve both form and function.
PIONEERING WINEMAKING
Viña VIK is redefining sustainable winemaking through innovation. Using their own vineyard-sourced barrels (Barroir), natural flower yeasts (Fleuroir), and clay amphorae made from the estate’s soil (Amphoir), they blend modern science with age-old techniques. The entire estate runs on 100% renewable energy, employs organic and biodynamic practices, and harvests grapes at night to conserve water and preserve quality.
THE WINES
Crafted with Bordeaux-style precision, Viña VIK’s wines reflect a commitment to excellence:
- VIK – A bold, refined flagship red blend
- Milla Cala – A polished, approachable expression of the valley
- La Piu Belle – An artful and limited-edition red in a stunning bottle
- La Piu Belle Rosé – A premium rosé that’s fresh, vibrant, and elegant
STAY IN STYLE
Make it more than a tasting. VIK Chile, the on-site luxury boutique hotel, offers sweeping views, an infinity pool, gourmet dining, and experiences like horseback vineyard tours and curated tastings that immerse you in the VIK philosophy of wine, art, and sustainability.
Viña Seña – Aconcagua Valley
Seña is the story of a bold dream realized. Founded in 1995 as a partnership between Eduardo Chadwick of Viña Errázuriz and American wine icon Robert Mondavi, Seña was Chile’s first ultra-premium wine project designed to compete on the world stage. Their shared vision? To craft a wine that would express the full potential of Chile’s terroir, with the elegance of a First Growth Bordeaux.
The vineyard lies in the Aconcagua Valley, just north of Santiago, where the Andes and Pacific Ocean converge to create a unique microclimate. The result is a wine of remarkable balance, depth, and aging potential.
A PIONEERING SPIRIT
From its inception, Seña broke new ground—not only in ambition but in execution. The estate introduced biodynamic viticulture to Chile, embracing a holistic approach that treats the vineyard as a living ecosystem. Careful canopy management, minimal intervention, and the use of organic composts all contribute to wines that reflect purity, precision, and place.
CRAFTED IN HARMONY
The winery itself is nestled into the landscape, built using sustainable materials and gravity-flow systems that preserve fruit integrity. Every aspect of winemaking—from hand-harvesting to natural fermentation—is guided by a philosophy of respect for the land and the rhythm of nature.
THE WINE
Seña produces a single, iconic wine:
- Seña – A complex, layered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, showing finesse, structure, and vibrant energy. With each vintage, Seña continues to garner international acclaim, including perfect 100-point scores from some of the world’s most respected critics.
EXPERIENCE THE VISION
A visit to Seña is more than a tasting—it’s an encounter with Chile’s vinous future. Private tours and tastings are offered by appointment, guiding guests through the biodynamic gardens and vineyards, and into a serene cellar where Seña matures in French oak. This is not just a winery—it’s a living legacy of passion, precision, and purpose.
Carmenère: Chile’s Signature Wine with a Storied Past
Once a prized grape in Bordeaux, Carmenère was thought to have vanished after the phylloxera plague in the 19th century. However, unbeknownst to the wine world, it had found a second home in Chile. For more than a century, Chilean winemakers unknowingly cultivated Carmenère, believing it to be Merlot. The grape had been imported from France in the mid-1800s and blended into local wines under the label “Chilean Merlot.” It wasn’t until 1994 that French ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot identified the grape at Viña Carmen’s vineyards in Maipo Valley. This revelation transformed Carmenère from an overlooked blending grape into a celebrated varietal.
Chile’s diverse terroirs, particularly the Colchagua and Cachapoal Valleys, provide the perfect conditions for Carmenère to flourish. Unlike its original home in Bordeaux, where it struggled to ripen, Chile’s warm, dry climate allows the grape to develop fully, eliminating the harsh green notes that plagued its French counterparts. Today, Chile is the world’s leading producer of Carmenère, refining its characteristics and elevating its reputation. The wine is known for its deep crimson color and complex aromas, delivering vibrant red fruit flavors like raspberry and pomegranate, accented by subtle green notes of bell pepper and eucalyptus—characteristics derived from its naturally high pyrazine content. When aged in oak, it gains layers of dark chocolate, tobacco, and spice, creating a rich and velvety texture.
Since its rediscovery, Carmenère has gained worldwide acclaim, with top Chilean wineries such as Viña Carmen and Concha y Toro producing award-winning vintages. To honor the grape’s remarkable journey, November 24th is now recognized as Carmenère Day, celebrating its revival and its role in Chile’s winemaking legacy. What was once a nearly forgotten grape has become a defining feature of Chile’s wine industry. With its rich history, unique flavor profile, and growing prestige, Carmenère stands as a testament to Chile’s ability to transform a lost Bordeaux varietal into a world-class wine.
