Escape to the Wine Country of South America

Set against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains, the coastal region of Chili is a great place to start any journey through the wine making country of Chili and Argentina. The Casablanca Valley receives cool coastal breezes that make this area ideal for white wine production. Many start their trip in Santiago, one of the most bustling and modern cities in South America. From there it is not far to some of the best local wineries. Heading west towards the ocean and into the Valley, many choose to stop at Viñedos Organicos. This winery is dedicated to organic and biodynamic winemaking. It offers some of the most interesting flavors in the region, using all natural production methods. Another popular winery in the area is the Morandé winery, famous for using ‘smell boxes’ in their tours, with the goal of helping visitors to recognize the importance of aromas when it comes to high quality winemaking. Also situated along the coast, and a popular destination for tourists, is the city of Valparaiso. Although it is not famous for its wine, it is one of the first established cities in South America, and rich in culture and history. Central Chile has much to offer in the way of fantastic wine. Maipo Valley, located southwest of Santiago, is recognized as producing the traditional flavors of Chilean wine. In addition to some of the oldest wineries in the country, this region also boasts a decent number of new boutique wineries that are bringing new flavors to the mix. South of Maipo Valley is Cachapoal Valley, which boasts a number of great wineries and some of the most fantastic views of the central valley region. Perhaps the most famous wine making region in Chili is the Colchagua Valley. It is in this area that the majority of the country’s red wines are produced. Here we find Vina Bisquertt, not only one of the oldest wineries in the country, but also one of the first in the way of boutique wine making. These are only a few of the hundreds of amazing wineries in the region. Heading over the Andes Mountains it is only little over an hour by plane to Mendoza, Argentina. In the closest region to Mendoza city, Lujan de Cuyo, visitors can find the best wineries of Argentina in one of its most traditional and developed wine making regions. An hour south of the city brings you to Valle de Uco. Because of its higher altitude and greater variance in temperature, this region offers adds a more complex flavor to its wine. In the Maipu region visitors are invited to tour wineries on bicycle; a fun alternative to the standard tour and tasting. Deep in the heart of South America, these two countries have much to offer in the way of culture, fine wine and dining, and an enjoyable vacation.