36 Best Sights in The Central Valley, Chile

Montes is one of most recognized wine brands in Chile today, but it started with humble roots in 1987 in the Curicó Valley with a group of young entrepreneurs. Today it is in the heart of Apalta, Colchagua, where the second generation of the Montes family helps run this feng shui--designed winery and restaurant. Deep, rich, and concentrated red wines and bright whites showcase a diverse portfolio of vineyards from around Chile. Enjoy the wines with food at Fuegos de Apalta with its showstopping fire-themed menu from star Argentine chef Francis Mallmann. The regular tour takes you through the winery processes and finishes with a wine tasting inside, or there is also a more active wine tour that involves a mountain hike followed by a picnic and wine tasting at the summit.

One of Chile's most important wine exporters with bottles in 80 countries, Viña San Pedro makes its range of five fine wines (Altair, Cabo de Hornos, Sideral, Kankana del Elqui, and Tierras Moradas) at this striking gravity-flow facility 30 km (19 miles) south of Rancagua. Expect sweeping Andes views as you tour the property by foot or on a cycle through the vines. Both picnic lunches and full-on Chilean feasts are available with advanced reservation.

In the lesser-visited Lolol region, this winery is owned by the same businessman who has the Santa Cruz Hotel and Museum. Something of a Disney World for wine lovers, it's one of the most kid-friendly options in the area with an antique car museum, wagon rides, bike rentals, and a cable car ride to a hilltop lookout. Adult tours finish, of course, with plenty of wine tasting.

Visit at night and you can stargaze from the observatory (open all year, depending on weather).

Jaw-dropping architecture and stunning views over the valley make this one of Chile's most extravagant wineries. Nestled in a private 11,000-acre estate, the VIK winery is pure luxury, and the Norwegian-American couple who owns it don't do anything by half measures. A visit includes a barrel tasting of the individual components before a taste of the final blend. Make a day of it with horseback riding in the stunning estate and lunch in the hotel restaurant, one of Chile's best.

What better way to visit the vineyards at Viu Manent than via a horse-drawn carriage ride? The stylish equestrian entrance is part of the tour package, which also includes a wine tasting in the beautiful colonial-style house. Focusing mainly on red wines from the Colchagua Valley, including Malbec, Viu Manet also pours a couple of coastal wines from Casablanca. Pick bottles to taste after the tour or over lunch at the excellent Rayuela restaurant, which keeps live oysters in freezing-cold Jacuzzis out back.

Off-the-beaten-path Viñedos Torreón de Paredes has the soul of a small winery with the ambition of its larger counterparts up and down the Central Valley. Named for the 300-year-old adobe tower at its heart, the winery’s tours take in the historic grounds and end with a tasting of either reserve or premium wines, most of which are made only for export.