Rapel Valley

Rapel Valley, to the south of Maipo Valley and to the north of Curico, covers just over a quarter of the Chilean vineyards. The region overall is hotter than Maule further south. Thanks to its warm climate, Rapel Valley is an oasis for wine production. Red grapes ripen easily, as the coastal range blocks the cool Pacific breezes. Rapel encompasses two distinctive, very contrasting sub-regions: Cachapoal in the north and Colchagua to the South. Both regions have earned a reputation for full flavoured red wine single varietals and blends from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere. The plantings of Syrah and Malbec are also on the rise.