Note: A list of the valleys and wineries is shown to the right and listed below.
Lets begin with the wineries of Chile.
Montes Vineyard Courtesy of Howard Pinsker
Brief Introduction:
Nature and geography have blessed Chile with the ability to grow fine grapes that are eaten as table grapes, raisins and used to produce the fine wines and liquors of the region. In the middle 1800s French grape stocks were introduced and the famous vineyards began.
Chile at first may have been know for its mineral resources like copper but her fine grapes are now exported around the world along with the award winning wine that the many vineyards produce. If someone were to mention Chile, people would now respond by saying grapes, fruits and wine.
The following list of of vineyards and the products they produce is only a selection and far from being complete. It is not the purpose of this site to be a dissertation on wine or wineries. It is my humble desire to show the variety that exists with the hope that I will do some justice to Chilean vineyards and their owners. I will continue to up-date, correct and expand the entries as time permits. So let’s begin.
Brief History:
The first grape stocks were probably introduced to the country by the early Spanish conquistadores from the late 1500s to the early 1600s. In the varied soils of the Central Valley the grapes flourished and great traditions began. The traditional Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes were probably two of the first to be grown. For many years traditional varieties and production methods were used to meet the needs of the country. Later this would change as new varieties and production methods would be used powered by the export demand.
Maybe one of the most important historical facts is that Chile was saved from the devastating Phylloxera plague which destroyed most of the European vineyards in the 1860s. The Phylloxera insect attacks the roots sucking the nutrients and thus damaging the plants. To solve this problem, European growers introduced more resistant North American root stocks and grafted the original vitis vinifera plant to the American root stocks. Fortunately Chile was saved from this problem and uses the original vitis vinifera plants.
For a brief description of each valley and a list of the wineries please click on the links below.
Valle de Elqui
Valle de Aconcagua
Valle de Casablanca
Valle de San Antonio
Valle de Maipo
Valle de Cachapoal
Valle de Rapel
Valle de Colchagua
Valle de Curico
Valle de Maule
Argentina - The other side of the Andes
Valle de Uco
Lujan de Cuyo
Maipu
We hope you will find this information interesting and valuable. Enjoy!
Why Chile & Argentina?