The Maipo Valley is Chile’s must travel destination for visiting wine enthusiasts to the country, not least because of its close proximity to Santiago – you can leave the bustling capital city and be surrounded by beautiful vineyards within an hour.
Regarded as the oldest wine growing region in Chile, the Maipo Valley is nestled between the Andes and coastal mountain ranges where high altitudes and cool ocean breezes create perfect conditions for what has been described as a ‘winegrowers’ paradise’. Since Chile staked its claim for international recognition in the 1990s, the Maipo Valley has become world renowned for its distinctive Californian style red wines, including elegant Cabernet Sauvignons, gentle Carmenere and beautifully balanced Shiraz.
A Maipo Valley wine tour is a popular excursion for serious wine enthusiasts and visitors who simply want to escape the city to explore the stunning natural countryside while sampling some of the world’s finest New World wines. The valley is littered with wineries ranging from large-scale commercial farms to small, boutique estates while time-honoured traditions share company with state of the art developments and the latest biodynamic techniques.
At Wine Paths, our local experts can organise exclusive Maipo Valley wine tours, which include elaborate tastings, luxury accommodations, delicious local cuisine and unique experiences across the South American country.
Our private Maipo Valley wine tours can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements, ensuring that every detail is taken care off so you can relax and enjoy the matter at hand – sampling wonderful wines surrounded by spectacular landscapes. A typical Maipo Valley wine tour will involve a visit to several vineyards accompanied by a professional guide to explain the region’s characteristics and the wine making process. In smaller wineries, there is often the chance to meet with the owners themselves while all tours, of course, end with tasting premium wines – sometimes paired with memorable local cuisine.
Maipo Valley wine tours generally operate all year round, although the harvest season for the region’s most popular grape is in April. The sub-region of ‘Alto Maipo’ has been capturing the attention of many exciting new wineries, which are taking advantage of the higher grown vines on the foothills of the Andes to produce arguably the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile.
A visit to the awe-inspiring Cajon del Maipo can also be requested as an extension of a Maipo Valley wine tour, the natural retreat is an outdoor adventure hub where you can take part in hiking, white water rafting and other adrenaline fuelled activities.
Our all-inclusive tour of the best of Chile’s central valley includes a visit to the Cajon del Maipo as well as private visits and tastings at a host of influential wineries across the neighbouring Colchagua, San Antonio and Casablanca Valleys – while exploring the area by bicycle, staying at wonderful hotels and returning to Santiago to shop at local markets and enjoy a home cooked meal on the final evening.
Alternatively, visitors can head further south to the Maule Valley to visit five of the region’s most renowned wineries, including Casa Silva, Gillmore Winery and Vineyards, Nouchon Family Vineyards, Caliboro Reserve Winery and Altair.
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