Casablanca Valley Wine Country

Chile'S Leading Cool Climate White Wine Valley, On The Highway Between Santiago And Valparaiso, Cooled By Pacific Fog · Casablanca, Valparaiso

The Casablanca Valley lies on the main highway between Santiago and Valparaiso, and its vineyards were planted only from the 1980s, when growers realised that the cool Pacific fog rolling in each morning made it ideal for white wine. It is now Chile's best-known source of crisp Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, and increasingly of Pinot Noir and cool-climate Syrah. Because it sits right on the road, it is the easiest wine valley in Chile to visit: many wineries are within a few minutes of the highway, some open for walk-in tastings, and several have excellent restaurants for long lunches among the vines. Most visitors stop here on the way to or from the coast, combining a morning of tastings with an afternoon in Valparaiso or Vina del Mar, but a night at one of the winery lodges makes a gentler trip. The valley is flat to rolling, with eucalyptus windbreaks and views of the coast range, and it lacks the old haciendas of Colchagua. Morning fog, the camanchaca, often hides it until noon.

Ruta 68, Casablanca, Valparaiso, Casablanca, Valparaiso, Chile

Wineries on and around Ruta 68 open from late morning to late afternoon; some take walk-ins, most prefer reservations, and many close on Sundays or public holidays. Winery restaurants serve lunch from about one. Morning fog often clears by midday.

Casablanca Valley Wine Country on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos