Colchagua Valley
Colchagua is Chile's red-wine heartland and home of the Carmenère revival, producing the powerful, smoky Apalta wines that put Chilean Syrah and Carmenère on the world stage.
Fast facts
At a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Climate | Mediterranean, warm, dry |
| Geography | Dramatic central-Chile valley beneath the Andes |
| Key appellations | Colchagua Valley DO · Apalta · Marchigüe |
| Main grapes | Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Carménère |
| Famous for | Apalta, Carmenère, Viu Manent, Montes |
Grapes
Signature grapes of Colchagua Valley
The varieties that define this region's wines.
Carmenère
Carmenère is a Bordeaux grape that nearly vanished after phylloxera, only to be rediscovered thriving in Chile…
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world's most famous red grape, the backbone of Bordeaux's great blended wines and th…
Syrah / Shiraz
Syrah (known as Shiraz in Australia) is one of the world's great black grapes, capable of extraordinary power …
Merlot
Merlot is France's most planted red grape and the plush partner to Cabernet in Bordeaux blends, especially on …
Nearby
Related regions
Explore neighbouring wine areas.
Wine travel
Visiting Colchagua Valley
The Santa Cruz valley's wineries, the Hacienda Los Lingues and the majestic Apalta amphitheatre make a spectacular visit.
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