Below the rolling Andes Mountains is the beautiful city of Santiago, the capital of Chile. This unique and mesmerizing city has some of the best vineyards in the world, making Santiago a must-visit for all wine lovers.
Chile isn’t just a long stretch of mountains and ocean, the country also provides some of the best wines on earth. With the wide variety of grapes grown in this breathtaking region, mouth-watering cabernet sauvignon and delicious sauvignon blanc come from Santiago, Chile.
Whether you’re traveling across South America for its diverse landscapes or wine tasting in Mendoza, a short trip to Santiago should be a part of your itinerary. With the Andean Mountains as your backdrop and the expansive fields of grape vines, you will be in paradise with a tasty glass of sauvignon blanc.
Highlights:
- All tours include details on how to taste, smell and see the wine
- There are plenty of options with several vineyards dotted across the area
- Learn all about the skillful and special wine-making process of Chilean vineyards
Know before you book:
- The minimum drinking age is 18 years
- Comfortable shoes and windbreakers are essential for the vineyard walkabouts
- Most wine tasting tours occur on the outskirts of Santiago
Vineyards have been making wine in the Santiago region for centuries but only started gaining international recognition after the 1990s. The international recognition came soon after French and United States wineries began investing in Chilean vineyards.
There is a wide variety of grapes grown across Chile, the most commonly grown grape is the cabernet sauvignon. But there is a particular variety, the Carménère, which only grows in Chile. Carménère has a similar taste profile to a Merlot — plum, black cherry, and mild tannin, but it also has earthy undertones of black pepper, bell pepper, and cocoa powder.
The Chilean Carménère is known to grow best in the heart of the country around Santiago. So if you want a truly distinctive experience, filled with good wine and friendly faces, a Santiago wine tasting tour is just the thing for you.
Santiago Wine Tastings Tour Prices
Tour costs range from ₱16,822 ($18) to ₱106,673 ($115), depending on what the package includes. The tour duration ranges from one and a half hours to full-day trips, all including wine tasting at the respective vineyards.
Compare Santiago wine tasting tour prices across the ticket providers below:
Santiago Winery Tour Times
Wine tasting tours generally start from 9 am during the week and 10 am on weekends, and extend until 5 pm. Vineyards within the Santiago region are closed during the 17 public holidays the country celebrates. Public holidays during the peak visit season are All Saint’s Day on 01 November, Feat of the Immaculate Conception on 08 December, and Christmas on 25 December.
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Best Time To Go on Santiago Wine Tours
The best time to go on a Chile winery tour is between October and February. The vines are lush and green during this period, with the grapes ripening before your eyes. It is also the summer months, so the weather is fantastic. Another great time to visit is during the harvest season, from March to May.
From Santiago: Maipo Valley Wine Tours
The Maipo Valley wine region is located just south of Santiago and is one of the most frequently visited regions for wine tasting tours. The area receives low levels of rainfall but has a warm, dry climate with ocean breezes that are necessary for growing top-quality grapes.
When visiting this region, keep an eye out for vineyards such as the Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, and Undurraga. These wineries are among the region’s most famous and produce some of the best wines Chile has to offer.
Top Santiago Wine Tasting Tours
With a wealth of options and unparalleled guides through the wine regions of Santiago, you will leave with unforgettable memories. Most wine tasting tours include complete descriptions of each wine and a personalized guide through the tasting process.
With the gorgeous fields of grape vines and the Andes Mountains views filling the sky, it’s no wonder why Chile is one of the best places to visit when touring South America. Here are some of the best half and full-day wine tours from Santiago, Chile.
Cousiño Macul Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour From Santiago
This two-hour wine tasting tour takes you across the renowned Cousiño Macul vineyard. Your tour begins in the gardens of the vineyard, as you traverse the area your guide points out the grapes that produce the best wines.
From the great outdoors, you enter the winery with the largest wine barrels in the world. These barrels are produced from Chilean oak, with the capacity to hold 8,000 gallons. These oak barrels are no longer in use but are still a considerable part of the vineyard’s history.
Then walk among the massive stainless steel barrels that ferment the wine today, as you head towards the cellar where the bottles are stored. Before the end of the tour, enjoy tasting some of the best wines Cousiño Macul has to offer, with critical tips on what you should taste, see, and smell. Your tour guide explains the key wine pairings, such as scallops go beautifully with a sauvignon blanc and a juicy medium rare steak pairs best with a cabernet sauvignon.
- Cousiño Macul vineyard entry ticket
- Cousiño Macul Museum entry
- Free Wi-Fi
- Transportation to and from the vineyard
- Lunch
The tour includes entry into the vineyards museum, where you can learn more about this iconic winery. Engraved wine glasses make the experience just that much more special. Unfortunately, the tour does not include hotel pick-ups, but a detailed overview of how to get to the venue is provided.
Check Price & BookFull Day Santiago, Chile Wine Tasting Tour
This full-day wine tasting tour of the Casablanca Valley is a fantastic way to get a taste of Chile. You will be taken to Viñedos Veramonte, Vina Casas del Bosque, and Bodegas RE. The small group tour is perfect for family and friends, with hotel pick-up and drop-off services.
This is a personalized experience, with your tour guide giving you all the relevant information about the wines as you taste them. You’ll end your luxurious journey at the Tanino restaurant in Vina Casas del Bosque, where you can indulge in excellent food and wine pairings.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Wine tasting at three vineyards
- Transportation in an air-conditioned minibus that accommodates wheelchair users
- Lunch costs
- Gratuities
This is a customizable tour, where you can choose which of the three vineyards you would like to go for a tasting. The tour also caters non-alcoholic beverages for families with children under the age of 18 years, allowing them to be part of the festivities. The luncheon at Tanino restaurant is not included in the tour, as food and wine costs can only be calculated after the meal.
Check Price & BookSpecification: Santiago Wine Tasting Tour Prices | Best Chile Wineries
|
GetYourGuide traveler –
Extremely surprised, beautiful place, the guide who attended us attentively and with knowledge of what he told us, rich wines. Recommended!!!!
GetYourGuide traveler –
It is easy to get to and access, I took a bus to the vineyard and got there without problems. The guide was very friendly and answered all questions, the tasting was very good, the wines were very rich.
GetYourGuide traveler –
This was the highlight of our time in Santiago. Our guide, Daniel, provided great entertainment on the smooth ride from Santiago to Valparaiso. He spoke great English, and he really knew a lot about Chilean history, politics, and geography. When we arrived in Valparaiso, our driver John (nickname: Juan y media) dropped us off up on top of the hills. We enjoyed a walk down through the beautifully painted streets of Valparaiso and stopped to admire the many murals. Daniel (our guide) was also a great photographer, in addition to his other talents. We love the pictures he took of us! We ended our walking tour at the funicular and met our driver at the bottom of the hill. From there, we drove to Viña Mar for more ocean views and a spectacular lunch before leaving for our third stop at the bodega where we had a wine tasting and learned more about Chilean wine making. By the end of the tour, we were exhausted. The tour was a great value and Daniel was the best!
Anjelica –
The tour was amazing! The day flew by because our guide and driver (and accompanying tour) were so much fun. The highlight was running into the water on the beach with our fellow tour guests & the winery. This is great day trip to take if you’re looking to explore the area of Santiago!