Casablanca Valley Chile: Wine Guide for First-Time Visitors

Casablanca Valley is Chile’s best-known cool-climate wine region, and one of the easiest wine day trips from Santiago. It sits between the city and the Pacific coast, about 1 hour 15 minutes west of Santiago and 40 minutes from Valparaíso. If you enjoy crisp Sauvignon Blanc, elegant Chardonnay or silky Pinot Noir, this is your valley. Here is what to know before you go.

Key takeaways

Cool and coastal: morning fog and Pacific breezes make fresh white wines and Pinot Noir.
Close to Santiago: an easy day trip, and on the way to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar.
On the road to the cruise ports: Casablanca sits between Santiago and the ports of Valparaíso and San Antonio, so during cruise season (roughly October to April) wineries get busy with cruise passengers. Book your visits well ahead.
Two or three wineries a day: plus a long vineyard lunch is the best pace.
You need transport: buses reach the town, not the wineries.

What makes Casablanca wine different

Cold air from the Pacific Ocean flows into the valley every day. Mornings are often foggy and afternoons are breezy, so the grapes ripen slowly and keep their freshness. That is why Casablanca became famous for white wines when vineyards were first planted here in the 1980s. Today the main grapes are:

Sauvignon Blanc: citrus, herbs and a bright, mineral finish.
Chardonnay: fresh and elegant, often with only light oak.
Pinot Noir: light, red-fruited and perfect with lunch.
Syrah: a cool-climate style with pepper and spice.

Wineries worth visiting

These are some of the valley’s best wineries for visitors:

Veramonte: a large organic estate with sweeping vineyard views and a classic tour and tasting.
Casas del Bosque: excellent Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and home to Tanino restaurant.
Bodegas RE: a small family winery with clay amphorae and creative blends. Very different from a standard visit.
Villard: a boutique winery founded by a French winemaking family, with a relaxed, personal tasting.
Kingston: a family estate in the western hills, known for Pinot Noir and Syrah.

For lunch, Tanino at Casas del Bosque is a favorite: seasonal food and tables among the vines.

How to get from Santiago to Casablanca

Private tour or driver: the easiest option. You are picked up at your hotel, everyone can taste, and you go straight from winery to winery. Our Casablanca wine tours include a private vehicle and pickup at your hotel in Santiago, Viña del Mar or Valparaíso, or at the cruise port in Valparaíso or San Antonio (San Antonio has an extra charge). If you only need the ride, we also offer private transport from Santiago to Casablanca.

Rental car: Route 68 takes you there in about 1 hour 15 minutes, but someone in the group has to stay sober. Chile has a zero tolerance law on drinking and driving: from 0.3 grams of alcohol per liter of blood you can be fined and lose your license, and above 0.8 it is a crime that can mean jail. For many people, even one glass of wine is enough to go over the limit.

Bus and taxi: buses to Valparaíso stop in Casablanca town, and from there you can take a taxi or a ride app. The wineries are spread out on rural roads, though, so plan your rides between wineries and back to town in advance, as cars can be hard to find at the wineries.

When to visit

March to April: harvest season, with the town’s harvest festival and busy, lively wineries.
October to November: spring, green vineyards and mild weather. Great for vineyard walks.
December to February: warm, sunny and the busiest time.
Cruise season (roughly October to April): many cruise passengers visit Casablanca on their way between the ports and Santiago, so wineries and Tanino fill up fast. Book a few weeks ahead.
June to August: winter, quieter and cool. Good for cellar tastings and long lunches.

What a day in Casablanca looks like

Pickup at your hotel in the morning. A first winery mid-morning, with a vineyard walk and tasting. A second winery before lunch. A long lunch at a winery restaurant. On some tours, a third winery in the afternoon. Back at your hotel in the early evening. See our Casablanca wine tours for current itineraries.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Casablanca Valley from Santiago?

About 1 hour 15 minutes by car, west of Santiago on Route 68. Valparaíso is another 40 minutes to the coast.

How many wineries can we visit in one day?

Two or three is ideal. Each visit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, and lunch is a highlight of the day.

Can we visit the wineries without a car?

Yes, but it takes planning. Buses reach Casablanca town, and taxis or ride apps can take you to the wineries, but rides between wineries can be hard to find. A private tour or driver is the easiest option.