Chile Wine Regions
Chile’s appellation system, known as its Denomination of Origin (Denominación de Origen) or D.O. is divided as follows, from north to south:
Region: Coquimbo
Sub-Region: Elqui
Sub-Region: Limarí
Sub-Region: Choapa
Region: Aconcagua
Sub-Region: Aconcagua
Sub-Region: Casablanca
Sub-Region: San Antonio
Zones: Leyda, Lo Abarca
Region: Central Valley
Sub-Region: Maipo
Sub-Region: Rapel
Zone: Cachapoal
Zone: Colchagua
Sub-Region: Curicó
Sub-Region: Maule
Region: Southern Regions
Sub-Region: Itata
Sub-Region: Bío Bío
Sub-Region: Malleco
From north to south, here’s a summary of Chile’s wine regions today, both old and new:
Limari Valley
A small region northwest of Santiago, near the Pacific Ocean. Although the climate is hot and dry — it’s nearer to the equator than any of Chile’s other important regions and close to the Atacama Desert — its unique microclimate, caused by its proximity to the Pacific, features cooling morning fog and ocean breezes that blow through the Valley during the day. Chile’s three largest wineries, Concha y Toro, San Pedro, and Santa Rita, all have bought land in Limari. Promising wines so far are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Syrah.
Aconcagua Valley
North of Santiago, Aconcagua Valley is named for the country’s highest mountain, the magnificent Mount Aconcagua and is one of the warmest areas for fine grapes. But Aconcagua also includes many cooler high-altitude sections. Cabernet Sauvignon grows especially well here, and more recently, Syrah.
Casablanca Valley
The first-established of the newer Chilean wine regions, it’s still one of the best. Some of Chile’s finest Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs grow in one part of Casablanca, while good Merlots and Pinot Noirs come from a more mountainous part.
San Antonio Valley
This tiny valley, south of Casablanca Valley and next to the ocean, is arguably Chile’s most exciting new region. Pinot Noir and Syrah are growing especially well on its cool, steep slopes. Now making one of the world’s best Pinot Noirs outside of Burgundy and a fine Syrah.
Maipo Valley
Chile’s most-established wine region, just south of Santiago, Maipo Valley is home to most of the country’s wineries. Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, and Almaviva are a few of Maipo’s premium producers. Cabernet Sauvignon is king in this region, and Merlot also does very well.
Cachapoal Valley
The large Rapel Valley, south of Maipo Valley, has two main wine regions, Cachapoal Valley and Colchagua Valley. Cachapoal Valley, nearer the Andes, is a red wine region, and is strong in Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Colchagua Valley
Ocean breezes have transformed the formerly quiet Colchagua Valley into one of Chile’s most important new red wine regions. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah grow especially well here.
Curicó Valley
One of Chile’s oldest and largest wine regions, the Curicó Valley is directly south of Rapel Valley. Because of its diverse microclimates, both red and white varieties grow well here.
Maule
Maule Valley is Chile’s largest wine region in area, and also the southernmost of its important wine regions. Because it’s so huge, it has many diverse microclimates, and both red and white varieties grow well, especially Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Main Wine Varieties
| Red | White |
| Pais | Sauvignon vert |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Chardonnay |
| Syrah | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Pinot Noir | Semillion |
| Malbec | Riesling |
| Carmenre | Torontel |
| Merlot | Pedro Ximenez |
| Petit Syrah | Gewurtztraminer |
| Sangiovese | Muscat of Alexandria |
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