I already have experience cycling after having a few glasses of wine, but to this day I haven’t gotten used to the beauty of the scenery I encounter when I decide to do it. Just like in Mendoza, Argentina, bike tours combine with tastings at the Santa Rita winery, which is 50 kilometers from Santiago, Chile.
In addition to the natural greenery of the winery, the Andes Mountains complete the postcard. I took this trip in March, during a five-day visit to the country. Before telling you what it was like cycling inside a Chilean winery, how about we learn a little about the history of Santa Rita?
See too: Where to stay in Santiago, Chile
Viña Santa Rita
Founded in 1880, Santa Rita’s most popular product is perhaps its old acquaintance: 120 wine, present on shelves in Brazil. What many people don’t know – I, at least, had no idea – is that this name is linked to Chile’s Independence.
But what do you mean, since Chile gained its independence in 1818, well before the winery was founded? The thing is, decades before producing wines, the Santa Rita mansion and land were already functioning as a farm, at the time managed by a certain Dona Paula. And it was this woman, somewhat by accident, who named Santa Rita’s best-known wine.
Recreation of the history of the Farm, current Santa Rita winery
In 1814, 120 men from the army fighting for independence sought shelter on the farm. Among them was General Bernardo O’Higgins, who later became the first president of post-independence Chile. The owner of the farm would have protected these men and prevented them from being found by the soldiers of the Spanish Crown.
When the mansion became a winery, it was easy to see that the story of the 120 heroes who took refuge there could be a good name for the house’s best-known wine. And this is told in a creative way in the mansion where the soldiers took refuge, in a scheme similar to that used by the Concha y Toro winery to present the story of Casillero del Diablo wine. The colonial house was restored in 1993, and today it also serves as the viña’s restaurant, “La Casa de Doña Paula”.
See too: Visit to the Concha y Toro winery, in Santiago
Winery gardens
The winery tour
Santa Rita offers seven types of tours to visitors. The classic tour is, as the name suggests, similar to what exists in any winery in the world. You’ll see the grapes (if it’s the right time of year, of course), learn about wine production and visit the winery’s facilities, including the famous bodega of the 120 independence heroes. Finally, you will do the tasting.
Groups of up to four people can take the private classic tour, while the premium tour includes a walk through the winery’s gardens, including a cute little church and other outbuildings that were part of Dona Paula’s old farm. This tour – which I also did – also includes a wine and cheese tasting, which is a difference from the classic tour.
interior of the old farm church
Premium tour tasting
If you enjoy relaxing in green areas, another option is to have a picnic, also offered by the winery and which includes a selection of wines and gourmet snacks. The Winemaker Experience also looks interesting: it allows you to produce wine for a day. The Pedal Bar is a kind of mobile bar – you pedal while drinking wine, on a tour lasting approximately 1h30.
But what about the bike ride?
You remember that I mentioned a bike ride in the title of the text, right? Well, I did this tour, in addition to the premium one. Both on the same day. We took the tour with Turistik, a Chilean agency that organizes various tours and even manages the operation of some tourist attractions, such as Cerro San Cristobal.
The day started early, still at the hotel, when the company van picked us up. Around 50 kilometers separate the Chilean capital from the winery, so you can still get a little sleep before starting to cycle. As soon as we arrived, we took the bikes and followed through the vineyards. The route is about 10 kilometers long, but I didn’t find it tiring, because there aren’t many climbs. From time to time our group stopped to take photos, observe the winery and the Andes Mountains.
It was at one of these stops that the guide explained to us that the roses, planted in the winery, warn if any pest is attacking the plants. In this case, the roses are affected first, which gives experts time to act, avoiding a bigger problem and the loss of the grapes.
According to the guide, it was in this region that the Carmenere grape, considered extinct for decades due to a plague, was rediscovered. That was in 1994 – until then they had been confused with strains of Merlot. Today Chile is the most important producer of Carmenere in the world and uses the wine produced by this type of grape to promote the country.
After the explanations were finished, we got on the bikes again. After an hour of cycling, we arrived at the tasting location. It was a kind of cabin, protected from the sun and in the middle of the winery. I’ve done many tastings, but none in such a creative setting.
With the wine duly appreciated, we took the bikes and continued on our way. The tour still had more beauty in store – and lots of photos. We finished the tour late in the morning, still in time to take the premium tour. Afterwards, we went to the winery’s own restaurant. It is possible to combine the three programs, staying there for a whole day.
If you have less time and don’t give in to a sedentary lifestyle, my suggestion is that you opt for the bike tour, by far the most different of the options, even compared to tours I’ve already taken at other wineries. You can hire a travel agency or try to schedule it when you arrive in Santa Rita.
How to get to Santa Rita winery
If you are driving, the route is via Autopista 5 Sul. It is also possible to go by public transport, combining metro and bus. The route is covered in just over an hour.
If you choose to do this, see detailed information on how to get there on Santa Rita’s official website. There you will also find a map with directions for those who want to go by car. And the most comfortable option, of course, is to hire a transfer.
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*The blogger traveled to Chile at the invitation of Valle Nevado.
