Chile is one of the world's major wine producers, and a good number of its wine valleys are less than two hours from Santiago, making it possible to visit them on a day trip or combine them with a weekend getaway.
Colchagua Valley
About two hours south of Santiago, Colchagua is best known for its red wines, especially Carménère and Cabernet Sauvignon. Several wineries offer vintage-train tours between cellars, and the town of Santa Cruz has the largest concentration of hotels and restaurants in the area.
Casablanca Valley and Maipo Valley
Casablanca, roughly halfway between Santiago and Valparaíso, is ideal if your plan includes the coast: its cooler climate makes it the go-to region for Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The Maipo Valley, on the other hand, sits practically within Santiago's metropolitan area -some wineries are less than 40 minutes from downtown- and is the historic birthplace of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.
Most of the larger wineries offer tastings that need to be booked in advance, especially on weekends. For travelers without a car, organized day tours from Santiago that include transport and visits to two or three wineries are widely available.
