Map The Wine

Map / Chile

Colchagua Valley

A large, sunny valley south of Santiago, a source of rich Carmenère and Cabernet.

TarapacáAntofagastaAtacamaCoquimboRegión Metropolitana de SantiagoValparaísoMauleLibertador General Bernardo O'HigginsÑubleLa AraucaníaBío-BíoLos RíosLos LagosAisén del General Carlos Ibáñez del CampoAconcagua ValleyCasablanca ValleyLimarí ValleyMaipo ValleyColchagua ValleySanta Cruz
The shaded area contains the region, and the rounded shape shows its rough extent; the gold dot marks its centre. Drag to pan, or use the buttons or Ctrl and scroll to zoom. Other regions of Chile are linked on the map.

Where it is

Colchagua is in the Rapel Valley, in the O'Higgins region about 150 km south of Santiago, with Santa Cruz as its town. The Apalta area has steep, terraced hillside vineyards.

Land and climate

Warm Mediterranean, with dry summers. The Tinguiririca river provides irrigation, and the coastal range cools the western end.

Grapes and wines

Red wines dominate, especially Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Carmenère, a Bordeaux grape rediscovered in Chile in the 1990s, is now associated with the country.