Stroll around the picturesque grounds of the Concha y Toro Winery and discover over a century of Chilean winemaking history. Smell the grapes on the vines and enjoy views of the Maipo Valley. Visit a historical cellar and sample award-winning wines. Local entrepreneur Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro established the winery in 1883 when he brought grapevines from France’s Bordeaux region.
Join a knowledgeable guide and walk through the winery’s pretty French-style garden. See the elegant house that was home to the winery’s founder during the late 19th century. Admire the views of the Maipo Valley, which has green fields and snow-peaked mountains. Learn about the 26 varieties of grapes grown by the winery, including cabernet sauvignon, merlot and sémillon. Taste grapes fresh from the vines.
Visit cellars to see endless rows of wine barrels. Step inside the century-old Casillero del Diablo (Devil’s Cellar) and hear the legend of the winery’s devil. In the late 1800s, founder Don Melchor noticed an unexplained disappearance of his finest wines. To combat the thefts, he created the rumour that living in the cellar was a devil, whose job was to protect the wines. Today, Casillero del Diablo is an award-winning brand.
Sample a selection of wines and receive an engraved souvenir glass as part of a tour. Round out your visit in the Wine Bar, where you can try more wines, accompanied by cheese boards, tapas and Chilean cuisine. Visit the on-site store that sells the winery’s brands.
Located in the suburb of Pirque, the Concha y Toro Winery is a 45-minute drive from Santiago’s city centre. Free parking is available on-site. The winery is easily accessible via public transportation. Take the metro to the Las Mercedes Station and then catch a public bus or take a taxi to the winery.
The winery is open daily and tours run at various intervals throughout the day for a fee. Three different tours and guides are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Check the winery’s official website for full details. Advanced bookings are advisable.
