Colchagua Valley Wine Tour (Montes - Neyen)

The Colchagua Valley Wine Tour offers an unparalleled experience in one of the world's premier wine tourism destinations. Nestled in the southern half of the Rapel Valley, this region is renowned for its picturesque vineyard-covered hills, century-old vines, charming colonial estate houses, and state-of-the-art wineries. It's the perfect setting for a day trip from Santiago.

Over the past two decades, the Colchagua Valley has transformed from a tranquil agricultural area into one of the largest and most vibrant wine-producing regions in Chile. The valley's relatively low-lying coastal hills allow the Pacific breezes to mingle with Andean winds, cooling the region and extending the grape maturation period. This climate is ideal for preserving acidity in the grapes, resulting in red wines with excellent color, freshness, and longevity. The region predominantly produces red wines, with Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot being the standout varieties. Additionally, newer coastal plantations have shown great potential for producing high-quality cool-climate white wines.

Itinerary Highlights

10:00 Montes Winery Tour

Embark on a Premium Wine Tour at Montes Winery. Stroll through the stunning vineyards with breathtaking views of the valley and tour the mystical winery where the Premium and Ultra Premium wines, including Montes Alpha M, Montes Folly, Purple Angel, and Montes Alpha, are crafted. Visit the Barrel Room, where these exceptional wines mature to the sound of Gregorian chants. The wine tasting experience includes three Premium wines (Montes Alpha or Outer Limits) and one Icon wine (M, Folly, or Purple Angel).

Lunch at Fuegos de Apalta by Francis Mallmann (not included)

One of the highlights of the Colchagua Valley is lunch amidst the beautiful vines at the heart of Finca de Apalta. Renowned chef Francis Mallmann offers an unparalleled dining experience, with an extensive wine list featuring Montes wines and other local selections. The cuisine, including meat, fish, and vegetables, is prepared using various fire techniques in a specially designed dome, visible to diners. You can choose from the à la carte menu, and we'll take care of booking a table for you.

Neyen Winery Visit:

After lunch, visit the Neyen Winery, situated in the easternmost part of the appellation. The vineyard soils vary; the higher areas consist of granitic, volcanic, and stony material, while the valley floor features old alluvial terraces from the Tinguiririca River, with clay and sandy soils that offer natural drainage and rich organic content. The century-old vines have deep root systems, requiring minimal intervention and consistently producing exceptional grapes that reflect the unique terroir.

Begin your experience at the historic wine cellar, then tour the regenerative organic and biodynamic vineyards. Learn about Viña Neyen de Apalta, the unique character of the property, and its vines, some over 130 years old. Continue through the parronal of Cabernet Sauvignon, the backbone of Primus The Blend, and view the slopes where other blend varieties are grown.

On your return, delve deeper into regenerative organic and biodynamic agriculture. Visit the varieties garden to distinguish the different aromas present in the wines. The tour concludes in the cellar, the oldest in Apalta, with a wine tasting session, offering a deeper understanding of their philosophy of crafting genuine, minimal-intervention wines that embody a sense of place.

We are confident that your experience with us will be truly unique.