With the Andes Mountains as a backdrop, one of South America’s undeniable attractions is its spectacular landscape, which produces some of the world’s best wines. Pedal at your own pace down country back roads, past farms and rolling hills and even take a spin through rows of vines. You will also experience the highlights of Chile’s capital, Santiago, and the breathtaking Pacific coast.
A portion of Santiago’s skyline as seen from the metropolitan park
Day 1: The Maipo Valley
After a short ride from Santiago you will begin your biking adventure in the Maipo Valley. The Alto Maipo region is renowned for its production of red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. You will arrive to Haras de Pirque Winery, which is part of a larger property that combines the owners’ two passions: viticulture and thoroughbred horse breeding. Notable labels include Equus, Haras, Elegance, and Albis. You’ll enjoy a tour and tasting of two wines as well as a bottle of Elegance.
For lunch, you will have typical Chilean dishes at the Fundación Origen restaurant in Pirque, just outside of Santiago. Then you will be dropped off at El Magnolio for the evening.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Total Pedaling Distance: 25 miles / 40 km
Overlooking the vineyards in Casablanca
Day 2: The Casablanca Valley
After a pick up from El Magnolio, you will head toward Emiliana, a true leader in biodynamic and organic agriculture. Emiliana aims to create the highest quality wines while promoting sustainability and social responsibility. With a wine portfolio backed by major national and international awards and recognition, and wineries certified as Fair Trade and Carbon Neutral, it can be called a definitive success. Here you will enjoy a tour and tasting.
Then, you’ll hop on your bikes and head to Loma Larga Vineyards. Named “Winery of the Year 2011” by Wine & Spirits magazine, Loma Larga continues to represent the best of the Casablanca Valley. Loma Larga sets the bar for quality cold-climate red wines with several award winners and consistent 90+ point ratings by such prestigious publications as Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Here, you’ll enjoy a tour through the winery and a tasting followed by a lovely picnic lunch.
Next, you’ll pedal through the back roads of the San Geronimo Hacienda and arrive to Matetic Winery in the San Antonio Valley, where you will spend the next two nights in their beautiful historic hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total Pedaling Distance: 38 miles / 59 km
Day 3: Hidden Back Roads of the San Antonio Valley
Bike through Matetic vineyard
Today you’ll enjoy a tour and tasting at the Matetic Winery, a state-of-the-art winemaking facility designed to complement its beautiful natural surroundings. Grapes are handpicked and carefully examined to ensure only those of highest quality are used in the winemaking process.
After a delicious lunch at Matetic, you’ll ride a loop around part of the breathtaking San Antonio Valley – some of the best cycling in Chile’s Central Valley. You’ll access the private farmlands of the Rosario Valley which belong to the Matetic. This is a fun route with a stretches of dirt roads and the chance to explore the property’s antique winery, Coralillo.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total Pedaling Distance: 19 miles / 30.5 km
Day 4: The Fruit Highway – Destination Colchagua Valley
We will pack up the van and depart from the hotel this morning along what is commonly known as the “Ruta de Fruta” (Fruit Highway) for its bountiful crops. After a short while, we will unload and you will bike along this gorgeous route. After a picnic lunch, you will continue your ride over the rolling countryside of the coastal plains until you reach Matanzas and the beachside Surazo hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total Pedaling Distance: 60 miles / 96.5km
Day 5: Marchihue
After a pick-up at Surazo hotel, you will bike on route to Residencia Historica, stopping for lunch at Donde Yoli. This local restaurant specializes in traditional Chilean food and has a very authentic atmosphere. After this gastronomic experience you will be dropped off at Residencia Historica.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total Pedaling Distance: 62 miles / 100 km
Day 6: Exploring the Colchagua Valley from Santa Cruz to Marchihue
Heading out of Santa Cruz this morning, we will ride west along mostly flat roads. We will make a stop for tastings at one of the region’s top wineries, Mont Gras. Founded in the mid-1990s, Mont Gras focuses almost exclusively on the production of reserve wines for export. Next, we’ll continue to Los Vascos Winery, whose special microclimate created by rich soil, proximity to the ocean, and intense sun exposure combine to nurture wines with concentration and finesse. We’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch at La Taberna in the town of Peralillo before arriving to the town of Santa Cruz, where you will spend the night at Terraviña.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Total Pedaling Distance: 33 + opt 15 miles / 53 + optional 24 km
Traditional-style adobe houses in the Colchagua Valley
Day 7: Exploring the Colchagua Valley from Marchihue to Santa Cruz
Today is the last day of your bike and wine journey, and you will leave Terraviña, heading toward Montes in the Colchagua valley for a tour and tasting of their award-winning wines. Viña Montes was formally born in 1988 and over the past two decades has made Chilean wine internationally acclaimed in 75 countries worldwide. Afterwards you will bike along the same route to Viu Manent, where you will have another tour and tasting, followed by a delicious lunch.
Viu Manet was founded in 1935 by the Viu family. Their core philosophy is centered in attention to detail, respect for the environment, and honoring the history and tradition that provide knowledge and experience while embracing innovation and modernity to support continued excellence. Viu Manent wines have won several awards, including Gold Medal distinction at the 2011 Catador W Santiago Wine Awards for their Gran Reserva Malbec (2010), Secreto de Viu Manent Sauvignon Blanc (2011), and Secreto de Viu Manent Syrah (2010).
In the late afternoon you will be transferred back to Santiago.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Total Pedaling Distance: 32 miles / 51.5 km
Recommended trip combinations:
Loma Larga Vineyards
This program is available to begin Sunday thru Thursday during the months of November thru April.
Price per Person (US$): $4,142
*based on 2 travelers
*Prices valid through December 14th, 2014.
Biking in Chile’s Coastal Wine Region
Price Includes:
El Magnolio: Nestled the heart of this amazing wine Valley with extraordinary views to the Andes Mountain, this is an intime, small, off the beaten track and tranquil boutique property. It’s not about luxury, but about warm, welcoming and good service in a typical Chilean country house.
Casona Matetic: Built in the early 1900s, the beautiful casona at Matetic is characteristic of the typical Chilean countryside of colonial times. The casona offers severn spacious and elegantly decorated rooms. Be sure to take time to relax poolside in the lovely outdoor gardens, surrounded by the thriving vineyards.
Matetic Vineyards
Residencia Historica: A comfortable colonial retreat in the town of Marchigue. With 20 tastefully decorated rooms, open air patios, restaurant, and the tranquility of the countryside all around, Residencia Historica is a great place to enjoy all that the Colchagua Valley has to offer.
Hotel Residencia Historica
Surazo: Noted as one of 2013’s best new hotels (and best new hotels under $300) by Condé Nast Traveler, Surazo is an excellent beachfront hotel with a truly privileged view of the sea. The hotel was entirely reconstructed in 2010 after Chile’s major earthquake and is back in full force. The beaches are known for their black sand and for excellent surfing conditions (surfing classes and trips are available along with kayak, windsurfing, and stand-up paddle rentals). The rooms are very comfortable, and the hotel is home to a restaurant staffed by professional chefs trained in the French school of cooking. The flavors are always fresh. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the best of the Chilean coast.
