Maipo Valley Full-Day Wine-Tasting Tour from Santiago

After hotel pickup in Santiago, sit back and relax during the scenic drive to Santa Rita Winery. Boasting a dramatic backdrop of the Andes Mountains, the sculpted gardens and verdant splendor of the winery provide a spectacular sight. Greet your knowledgeable guide and begin your tour of the sprawling vineyards, learning about the 19th-century origin of the vineyard as you wander. Explore the fermentation cellars and bottling plant to enrich your knowledge of traditional production methods, and then stand before the historical structure of Bodega 1 for a glimpse of typical colonial construction. Venture to the legendary landmark of Don Paula Restaurant, an establishment declared a national monument due to its colorful past. Hear about the 120 battle weary rebel soldiers who sought refuge in the restaurant, and how the courageous owner accommodated the revolutionaries. Sample the three varieties of the signature 120 wine, dedicated to this historical legend. Spend your remaining time at Santa Rita strolling the gorgeous gardens or observing the intriguing artifacts in the on-site Andean Museum. Next, return to your minivan to begin the short journey to Concho y Toro, stopping at a local restaurant on the way for refreshments (own expense.) Admire the winery's picturesque position, enveloped by the Andean foothills, as you begin your tour of the Pirque Vineyards. Learn about cultivation and harvest methods as you walk amid sprawling vines, then descend into the atmospheric depths of the Cellar of the Devil to hear tales of the winery's eccentric former owner. Educate your palate by sampling a sublime selection of wines in the elegant bar, trying signature wines such as Casillero del Diablo. Before returning to the minivan, purchase special souvenirs from the wine shop then relax during the smooth journey back to Santiago.