I can’t differentiate one wine from another and I have no idea which snack goes best with a Cabernet Sauvignon. More: I don’t know exactly what a Cabernet Sauvignon is. And I think it’s absurd to say that any food is capable of reducing the effect of a drink – the only thing that does this is to stop drinking. In other words: when it comes to wine, I am a denial in the eyes of even an apprentice winemaker. That’s exactly why I couldn’t help but take a tour of one of the wineries on the outskirts of Santiago. After all, I may not understand the subject, but I know very well that this is one of the most popular tourist tours in the capital of Chile.
We chose Concha Y Toro, the largest winery in Chile, which exports the product to more than 100 countries. Concha Y Toro is just over an hour from the center of Santiago, which makes it possible to tour the winery during a morning or afternoon.
There are two types of visit. The basic tour, called “traditional” by the company, costs R$34 and lasts approximately one hour. The second type is the “Marques de Casa Concha Tour” which includes everything that is basic plus a tasting of other wines and some cheeses. This option costs R$72. Tours are conducted in English or Spanish, but you must schedule the visit and choose your preferred language at least 24 hours in advance. We did this through the reception at our hostel, but you can also book here.
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What is the visit to the wineries like?
The visit began in the winery’s gardens. The guide, speaking in English, told us the history of Concha Y Toro, which was founded in 1883 by a guy called Don Melchor de Concha y Toro. We walked through the garden in front of Don Melchor’s old mansion, a mansion that now houses the winery’s administration.
From there, our guide took us to vineyards that produce different types of grapes. Theoretically, at this point it would be possible to know 26 different types of grapes, understand the usefulness of each of them and even taste one or the other. However, because of the time of year we were in – it was July – all we saw was what is in the photo below: vines without a single grape.
After that, we had our first wine tasting and headed to the bodegas. After an explanation about the production and storage of wines, the guide took us to the Casillero Del Diablo bodega. According to legend, after realizing that part of his wine was being stolen, Don Melchor spread a rumor among his employees that a devil lived there. This way he scared off the thieves and ended the series of thefts. This part of the tour includes a video showing. A kind of cinema room was created inside the bodega, and an animation that tells the legend was projected on the walls of the place.
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The guide took us to the second wine tasting. All participants received a cup with the Concha Y Toro brand. It was the end of the traditional tour, and those who opted for it were taken to the winery store. Those who chose the Marques de Casa Concha Tour went to another room, where a sommelier talked a little about four wines and some cheeses, explaining which ones went best together.
See too: Where to stay in Santiago
How to get to Concha y Toro
The most convenient (and expensive) option is to buy a package with a local tourism agency, which provides transportation between the hotel and winery. The price is high: expect to spend around R$120 for the service, including entry to the winery. Frankly, I don’t think it’s worth it, since going it alone can mean savings of almost 100%.
It is possible to easily go to the Concha Y Toro winery using public transport in Santiago. That was our option. We took the blue metro line and went to Las Mercedes station. From there, another 10 minutes by taxi and we were at the winery (the ride cost around R$10). It is also possible to do this final stretch by bus. Lines 73, 80 and 81 stop close to the winery.
Another option is to rent a car and drive. That’s what Diego did. He tells how the experience was (and even provides a map to help drivers) on the blog Meus Roteiros de Viagem. There is also detailed information on the subject on the winery’s website.
I’m with my family. Can I take children to the winery?
He can. Children under 18 do not pay entry and can follow the entire tour, but obviously they will not be able to try the wines.
Is it legal or is it a tourist prank?
It’s cool, especially if you’ve never visited a winery before or really like wine. But I confess that I expected more. This was the second tour of this type that I took – the first was to wineries that are on the outskirts of Cape Town. And in South Africa the tour was more complete and cheaper.
Are there other wineries in Santiago?
Yes. It is also possible to taste Chilean wines at the Cousiño Macul and Undurraga wineries. We didn’t go, but you can find information in this Viaje na Viagem post.
