The Valle de Colchagua wine-growing area is located 130 kilometres south of the Chilean capital Santiago de Chile in the Valle Central. Together with the Cachapoal area to the north, it forms the southern half of the Rapel region. The centre is the town of Rancagua, known for its hot thermal springs. The River Tinguiririca flows through Colchagua, making viticulture possible in the first place. The hot Mediterranean climate is tempered by cool air currents from the Pacific Ocean to the west. The first Chilean wine route "Ruta del vino de Colchagua" was created here in 1996. A wine tourism attraction is the "Tren del Vino" train, which is operated by a steam locomotive and travels through the vineyards.
The vineyards cover around 25,000 hectares near the river and at the foothills of the Andes at 600 to 1,000 metres above sea level on clayey-sandy, mineral-rich soils. They have to be supplied by artificial irrigation using river water. Mainly the red wine varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Carmenère and Malbec (Cot) are cultivated (80%) and the white wine varieties Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc (20%). Well-known producers in this area are Altaïr, Araucano (François Lurton), Bisquertt, Canepa, Carmen, Casa Silva, Cono Sur, Errázuriz, Estampa, Lapostolle and Laura Hartwig, Los Vascos(Château Lafite-Rothschild), Montes, MontGras, Santa Monica, Secret de Viu Manent, Terranoble, Torreon de Parredes, Viña Santa Cruz, Viu Manent, Undurraga and Vina Santa Andrea Ltda (COFCO, China).
Viña Santa Cruz: By Elemaki - Own Work, CC BY 3.0, Link
Valle de Cholchagua: By Elemaki - Own Work, CC BY 3.0, Link
Chile map: CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Chile wine growing areas: Trekkingchile
