Plan a trip
A route through the vines
Pick a country and a style, and we'll sketch a few days through it — real sub-regions in a sensible order, with what to expect at each stop and when to go, drawn from everything already on the site.
Where to
Style preference
Your route
A focused 3-stop route through Chile
The character of this trip
A long country, seen in short hops
Chile is a narrow ribbon between the Andes and the Pacific, and its wine valleys run across it, from the cool coast to the sunny foothills. A route from Casablanca to the Maipo and Colchagua valleys shows how much the wine changes with distance from the sea, from crisp coastal whites to deep Cabernet and Carménère. Everything is within reach of Santiago, so short hops and long views suit it best.
A focused route through what's currently documented
Chile has 3 places mapped on Ampelos so far. The route below draws on the ones within reach of each other — enough for a short, honest route rather than a full itinerary — and will grow as more of the country is documented.
Stops
3
Total driving
~263 km
Behind the wheel
4h 47min
Worth setting aside
5–7 days
What to expect
Notable producers
- Montes — A pioneer of quality in the valley, with the Alpha M and Purple Angel Carménère.
- Lapostolle — Makes Clos Apalta, a leading red blend from Apalta.
- Viu Manent — A family estate with old-vine Malbec and Carménère.
Best time to visit
Come for harvest, in mid-autumn (April), when the cellars are busiest — or earlier, in early summer (December), for a quieter, greener look at the vines.
~163 km · 2h 58min to the next stop
Moving from a Carménère-led stop to a Cabernet Sauvignon-led one, the route changes grape as well as place: Colchagua Valley, then Maipo Valley.
What to expect
Notable producers
- Concha y Toro — Chile's largest producer, with the Don Melchor Cabernet from Puente Alto.
- Almaviva — A joint venture of Concha y Toro and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, for a Bordeaux-style blend.
- Santa Rita — A historic estate with a long record in Maipo Cabernet.
Best time to visit
Come for harvest, in mid-autumn (April), when the cellars are busiest — or earlier, in early summer (December), for a quieter, greener look at the vines.
~100 km · 1h 49min to the next stop
Casablanca Valley feels different from Maipo Valley, in the glass and in the air: mediterranean, then cool maritime.
What to expect
Notable producers
- Viña Morandé — Founded by Pablo Morandé, the pioneer who planted the first Casablanca vineyards.
- Veramonte — A large estate with organic vineyards in the valley.
- Casas del Bosque — Known for Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah from the cooler parts of the valley.
Best time to visit
Come for harvest, in early autumn (March), when the cellars are busiest — or earlier, in spring (October–November), for a quieter, greener look at the vines.