Chile Reshapes Wine Tourism with Ancestral Vineyards
Written by Max Morales, Agronomist and CEO of AndesWines.com
Chile is redefining wine tourism, offering visitors a distinctive opportunity to explore thousands of hectares of pre-phylloxera ancestral vineyards spanning over 4,000 kilometres. From the arid landscapes of Arica in the north to the breathtaking fjords of Chile Chico in the Aysén region — and even Easter Island, now home to a vineyard producing exclusive small-batch wines — Chile’s wine story is one of heritage, innovation and resilience.
As Frankie Adkins writes in The Independent:
«Diverse as Chile’s landscapes are, from the salt-baked plains of the Atacama Desert to the snowcapped peaks of Patagonia, they are united by one problem: a major water crisis. Chile’s ‘megadrought’ is forcing the country to rethink its resources, and for the $6bn wine industry, the climate crisis is giving rise to ingenuity. More than 80 percent of Chile’s bottled wine now falls under the Sustainable Wines of Chile code, which calls for strict parameters around waste, recycling, energy, and, crucially, responsible water use.»
In response to these challenges, Chile is embracing sustainability while celebrating its winemaking legacy. At the forefront of this movement is the ‘Climate Change Wine Tour of Ancient Vineyards’ by AndesWines.com, a tailored experience designed to showcase the DNA of historic vine stocks brought to Chile by immigrants as far back as 1551.
Led by Agronomist Max Morales, the tour is attracting post-pandemic wine enthusiasts — both local and international — eager to discover old vineyards and taste authentic, natural and rural wines. Many of these remarkable wines are produced in small parcels and are unavailable for export, making the tour a rare opportunity to enjoy them at their source.
Visitors can customise their journey, selecting specific terroirs and wine valleys to explore for durations between 1 and 10 days. Whether close to Santiago or in remote regions, each destination offers a deep dive into Chile’s rich viticultural heritage, featuring vineyards with centuries-old vines and winemaking traditions.
Highlights of the tour:
- Arica & Parinacota Region: 150+ year-old Pintatani wine.
- Atacama Desert: Ancient vineyards in Toconao.
- Bío Bío Valley: 150+ year-old País, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc in San Rosendo.
- Cauquenes Valley: Historic Cabernet Sauvignon and País vines.
- Itata Valley: 150+ year-old País and Moscatel vines in Coelemu, Portezuelo, and Guarilihue.
- Marga Marga Valley (Valparaíso Region): 150+ year-old Torrontés vines and wines.
- Patagonia: 70+ year-old Bonarda vines preserved in a private park (vine only, no wine production).
For those arriving in Santiago, the tour offers the chance to explore unique terroirs with the legendaryk Max Morales, tasting wines crafted by both independent winemakers and small to medium-sized wineries.
Interested in Exploring Chile’s Ancient Vineyards?
Contact andes@andeswines.com today for more information and to book your tour.
Read Frankie Adkins’ full article on sustainable wine tourism in Chile in The Independent: Click here.
