Central Valley Region

The influence of the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean

The geography of the Central Valley resembles a giant natural corridor, framed by the snow-capped Andes Mountains to the east and protected by the Coastal Cordillera to the west. This ideal location creates a perfect Mediterranean climate with long, dry, and sunny summers. During the day, the grapes receive an abundance of sunlight, ensuring complete phenolic ripeness, while at night, the cool air descending from the Andes Mountains drastically drops the temperature, allowing the berries to retain vibrant acidity and aromatic concentration. For vineyard irrigation, pure, mineral-rich meltwater from Andean glaciers, flowing through the region's rapid rivers, is traditionally used.

Four legendary subregions

The region is incredibly vast and geographically diverse, and is therefore officially divided into four main valleys, each possessing its own distinct specialization

• Maipo Valley is the historic cradle of winemaking and the undisputed capital of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon. The red wines originating from here are characterized by elegance, trademark notes of mint or eucalyptus, and exceptional longevity.
• Rapel Valley encompasses the famous Cachapoal and Colchagua zones. This is the epicenter of powerful, concentrated red wines, where dark, spicy Carmenere and Syrah wines earn the highest international accolades.
• Curicó Valley features the greatest diversity of microclimates and soils. It is a highly versatile region, producing not only excellent reds but also crisp, exceptionally refreshing white Sauvignon Blanc wines.
• Maule Valley is the largest and one of the oldest regions, currently experiencing a true renaissance. It is globally renowned for its old, often century-old, bush-trained Carignan and Pais vines, growing without any artificial irrigation (dry-farmed).

The grape stars of the region

Although a multitude of different varieties are cultivated in the Central Valley, the region's identity is best reflected by its dark grapes

• Cabernet Sauvignon makes up the absolute majority of the region's vineyards, yielding firmly structured, tannic wines scented with ripe blackcurrants.
• Carmenere has found its second home here. Almost extinct in France, this variety reveals incredible smoothness, along with aromas of plum jam, dark chocolate, and green bell pepper in Chile.
• Merlot and Syrah are frequently used in prestigious Bordeaux or Rhône-style blends, providing the wines with roundness, juiciness, and even more complexity.