Central Valley

Central Valley, a 1,000-km-long plateau, is the powerhouse of Chilean wine. Grapes grow well and ripen easily on this fertile flatland that benefits from natural irrigation (rivers carry melted snow from the Andes) and a generally Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers.  There are distinct climatic and soil variations between the individual regions in the valley and the result is a great diversity and some of the most exciting wines in Chile. The Central Valley regions are (from north to south) Rapel, with its sub-regions Cachapoal and Colchagua Valleys, Curico, and Maule. Central Valley blends combine fruit from different areas for well-rounded, silky smooth wine styles that consistently offer some of the best-value in the world. For those who favour ripe styles, look no further than the warm area of Colchagua. Up-and-coming areas like Maule are also starting to demonstrate real potential and complexity.