Maipo Valley

Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.

Mediterranean with the Andes' cold night air pulling in; a long, warm, dry season.

The Maipo Valley is Chile's wine soul. Ringed Santiago, it's where Cabernet Sauvignon from the Andes' ancient gravel beds delivers Chile's most classic, structured reds - and where the country's pioneering grape, Carmenère, is finding its true voice.

Its historic estates - Viña Cousiño Macul, Concha y Toro, Santa Rita - span five centuries of Chilean viticulture.

For the buyer, Maipo offers steady, classic New World Cabernet at smart prices, perfect for everyday drinking and cellar-worthy too.

Terroir & Soil

Alluvial and rocky soils, with altitude (up to 800m) and river terraces giving complexity.

What to Expect from the Wines

· Maipo is Chile's Bordeaux home - its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the country's most classic.
· Carmenère, Chile's signature grape, reaches its faithful, plummy best in Maipo's warmer pockets.
· Modern Chile starts here, with a proud heritage of century-old producers.

Remarkable Bottles from Maipo Valley

Almaviva

Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Almaviva is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The Baron Philippe de Rothschild / Concha y Toro joint venture — Chile's most famous fine wine.

$180–$280 est. retail

Concha y Toro Don Melchor

Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Concha y Toro Don Melchor is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. The iconic Puente Alto Cabernet from Chile's largest winery — a benchmark of Andean red depth.

$120–$180 est. retail

Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. a house-style Maipo Valley cabernet sauvignon that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Maipo Valley Merlot

Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Maipo Valley Merlot is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Merlot. a house-style Maipo Valley merlot that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Maipo Valley Carmenère

Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Maipo Valley Carmenère is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Carmenère. a house-style Maipo Valley carmenère that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Maipo Valley Shiraz

Maipo Valley · 2024 (representative vintage)

Maipo Valley Shiraz is an red wine from Chile, in the Maipo Valley region (Central Chile, just southeast of Santiago, the historic heartland of Chilean wine at the foot of the Andes.), made principally from Shiraz. a house-style Maipo Valley shiraz that showcases the grape in this region.

$14–$34 est. retail

Food Pairing

· Maipo Cabernet pairs with grilled beef, empanadas and hard cheese.
· Carmenère suits barbecue and rich bean dishes.
· White and rosé versions complement seafood and salads.

Buying from Maipo Valley

› Look for Cabernet from the Andean foothills (Alto Maipo) for structure and elegance.
› Carmenère from warmer valleys is plummy and undeniably Chilean.
› The Santiago city wineries (Santa Rita, Cousiño Macul) offer iconic bottles among urban vines.