Between Pichilemu and Santiago, I decided to do a break and taste wines in the amazing region of Colchagua. In this article, I explain the smart way for doing it without any car. Also, you will save money and time. And of course, I add my recommendations of what to visit.

Colchagua Valley

This is the first wine region I have done in Chile and also the furthest one from Santiago. The reason is that I spent a few days before in Pichilemu. In this area, the weather is hot and dry. Thus, the region is good for red wines: Cabernet, Carménère, Syrah and Malbec.

For the transport

You can either come directly from Santiago but the journey is quite long (3h20) or you can do it on the way from Pichilemu to Santiago. I chose the second solution as it avoided me too many hours of bus and to pay a rather expensive accommodation in Santa Cruz. I took a first bus (Nilahue company) in the morning from Pichilemu to Santa Cruz. It costed 3,000C$ and lasted 1h30. Next, at the end of the day, I took another bus from Santa Cruz terminal station to Santiago for 5,000C$. Prices on internet were surprisingly more expensive.

In between wineries, I walked when it was close or I took the public bus. It was a hot day and staying under the sun was not in my goal. For that reasons, I chose especially wineries close to each other and the way between my first stop and the terminal of Santa Cruz.

There is also possible to rent a bike. The place is called Hostel del Centro. It is another possibility to enjoy the place and to move freer around. Be careful, summer here are really hot. Thus, don’t forget to prepare yourself well with water, sun cream and determination!

Wineries

Mont Gras

Mont Gras is the first winery I visited in Chile. I dropped off the bus to Santa Cruz before reaching the city. Just asked the bus driver where to stop. From the main road, I walked 10 mins before reaching the winery.

I booked the visit and tasting by mailing the winery. It is better to do so to avoid waiting. During the visit, you walk in the vineyard, in the maceration room and finally the barrels room. After the visit, you taste 3 wines, one white and two red.

The visit was interesting for getting the basic knowledge and see the hidden face of a huge modern wine production. The wines were good but not my favorite one. It was too much of the fruit. Also, I arrived early for the tasting, and the winery provides good sofa and WiFi for waiting.

Chileans are not big drinker of wine, actually 10 times less than Frenches. As the production is huge and the Chilean don’t drink it, 80% of it is for exportation. Mainly in countries where they love fruity wines. Thus, wines in Chile are mostly done to be drunk young and with this fruity flavor.

Estampa

If at the beginning I planned to walk from the previous winery to Estampa, I changed my mind. The reason, a couple in the last tasting took me with their car to the winery.

The winery offers a tour for 15,000C$/each and you need to be at least. I was alone and didn’t want to spend too much money. Thus, I preferred taking wine by the glass. You don’t need to book, just come during the opening hours.

I was accompanied with a water during all my tasting. Glasses have different prices depending on the quality ( 1,500 – 2,500 – 3,500 C$ ). I tried 2 wines, one white and one red. The white one contained Viognier, a grape variety I wanted to try. It was my preference as the red one was too weak at the smell and too acid in the mouth.

From this winery to the next one, the distance was rather big. Instead of walking, I tried hitchhiking as it was too hot. Finally, a bus stopped after 5 minutes. For 500C$ I haven’t complained.

Laura Hartwig

I finished the last winery, Laura Hartwig. Here as well you can do a visit for 12,000C$, it is a horse ride but you taste only 2 wines. So, I chose to just buy wine by the glass ( 1,000C$ to 3,000C$). I tasted 2 red wines, a Malbec and a Petit Verdot. It is rare to have only Petit Verdot as it is usually strong, However, it was surprisingly good as it is smoothed with the fruity side.

I wanted to try the premium one as well but I declined as I was not able to enjoy it any more. Reasons are multiple, heat, end of the day but also the way to taste. Here in Chile, often you have the tasting only with the visit or no tasting at all. Thus, you buy glasses of wine that are too filled for just tasting. Although don’t hesitate to ask for a spittoon. I guarantee that I did it for all the next time.

The last step of the day is to reach the Terminal. It was a 15 mins walk.  Then, I went into the terminal, bought a ticket, took the bus and left the terminal after the ridiculous time of 4 mins. Fastest ever!

Other winery I have heard about the nice visit. However I was not able to do it as I missed time or it was too far.

• Viña Montes
• Casa Lapostolle
• Viu Manet
• Viña Santa Cruz

As always, if you want to do a visit in this region. Always book before with an email or a call.

Links

Complete maps of Chilean wine regions

General information about wine regions close to Santiago

An article about visiting wineries

Another blogger experience but more expensive

The last article about winery experience while staying in the city and biking