When people think of South America, wine is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, South American has been making wine since the 1500s when the Spanish first arrived in the area (albeit it was not the best wine back then). However, in the 1800 the popularity of wine in South America began to grow and it now produces some pretty good wines. Argentina is the 5th largest wine producer in the world with Chile following close behind as number 9. However, many other South American countries are expanding the wine region to create some of the best wine regions in South America.
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Best Wine Regions in Argentina
Argentina is known for its Malbec but more recently, they have grown a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon and Torrontes. Popular regions include Salta, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, and Patagonia. Argentina contains some of the best wine regions in South America.
Cafayate, Argentina
By Audrey of The Backpacker
While most people think of Mendoza when they think of Argentine wine, the northern part of the country has an equally impressive wine scene that is not to be missed! It is one of the best wine regions in South America.
Situated in the province of Salta, the town of Cafayate and the surrounding Calchaqui Valley produce a myriad of wines, however, they are best known for their Torrontés. This white grape is made up of several varieties and in Argentina that includes the Torrontés Triplets: Torrontés Sanjuanino, Torrontés Mendocino and Torrontés Riojano – the latter of which is most popular. These grapes thrive in high-altitude vineyards, and they produce a sweet but somewhat dry wine with fruity and floral notes.
Meanwhile, in the red wine department, you can expect to find Malbec. This is a black-skinned grape originally from France, but it is also Argentina’s most popular grape. Everyone drinks Malbec here!
Some vineyards to consider visiting in Cafayate include Bodega El Esteco, which is within walking distance from the centre of town and also has a boutique hotel on site; and Bodega Piatelli, which has a beautiful restaurant where you can enjoy asado and empanadas before your wine tasting. I would recommend dedicating a leisurely day to each winery you visit since each one offers such a unique experience, however, you can join a vineyard-hopping tour if you are pressed for time.
Another reason to visit this region are all the fun day trips from Salta. Just outside Cafayate, you’ll find Quebrada de las Conchas where the red landscapes will make you feel like you’ve landed on Mars. Then you have the town of Cachi and Los Cardones National Park, where the land is dotted with giant cacti. Lastly, if you’re up for a bit of a drive, you can cross into the province of Jujuy to see the rainbow coloured hills of Purmamarca and Salinas Grandes where the salt flats look like a mirage.
Mendoza, Argentina
By Cecily of Groovy Mashed Potatoes
Mendoza sits in the foothills of the Andean mountains and is Argentina’s largest wine region. It is one of the best wine regions in South America. The New World wine region is famous for its Malbec grapes which produce a dark and fruity full-bodied wine. Malbec grapes are one of the six grape varieties allowed in Bordeaux wine, a prominent wine produced in the Southwest of France. By itself, Malbec wine is a great alternative to Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Mendoza is the perfect place to add to your Argentina itinerary to relax and learn about wine. It can be easily reached by a two hour flight from Buenos Aires. You will find over 1,500 wineries, quaint vineyard hotels and mouth-watering Argentine restaurants. What makes it so special is that you have the stunning Andean mountain range as your backdrop. Hire a private driver and organize two winery tours a day and a winery lunch.
Must visit wineries:
- Chandon Winery: the first Moët & Chandon winery established outside of France.
- O. Fournier: a winery with an incredible architecture that looks like it came out of a James Bond movie.
- Corazón Del Sol: a small winery that offers an intimate and educational experience.
- Bodega Azul: the best winery to have a fabulous Argentine lunch.
The Best Wine Regions in Chile
Chile began making wine in the 1600s. This cool climate region produces a lot of Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere (similar to a Cabernet Franc). Popular regions in Chile include the Colchagua Valley, the Maipo Valley, the Limari Valley, and the Aconcagua Valley, thus making up some of the best wine regions in South America.
Colchagua Valley, Chile
By Coni from Experiencing the Globe
Situated in the central part of the country, Colchagua valley is quite easy to reach, even as a day trip, from the capital city of Santiago. I would recommend staying over to explore at least a few of the incredible wineries that are ready to show their treasures with their visitors and showcases why it is one of the best wine regions in South America.
Even though Colchagua produces superb Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, the star of the valley is Carménère. This variety was thought lost after it disappear from France in the 1867 phylloxera plague. It was not until the 1990’s that it was found in Chile, hidden among Merlot vines. Now the Bordeaux classic is one of the most iconic wines of the country.
The valley is dotted by wineries, my personal favorites being Lapostolle, Montes and Neyén. If you want to learn about the winemaking process hands-on, I recommend Montgras, where you can make your own blend. If you just want to enjoy sipping, any of the three mentioned will surprise you with their own distinctive flavors and traditions. If you’re concerned about sustainable travel, don’t miss a visit to Lapostolle, the first winery in the valley to be certified as 100% organic.
No matter which winery you choose to visit, you’ll be in for a treat. The panorama is stunning from any of them, having their tasting rooms either on top of a hill overlooking the valley, or in the middle of the vines, surrounded by green slopes. The scenery is my favorite thing about Colchagua, after the wine, of course.Although the main varieties from the valley are Bordeaux classics, which makes it visitors reminisce of Médoc, the production of Carménère makes it special, like no other place in the world.
Maipo Valley, Chile
By Devin of Deventure Time
Maipo Valley is an incredible wine region in Chile that is known for its red wines. It is often referred to as the “Bordeaux of South America”. As it is the closest wine region to the city of Santiago, it is a popular place to visit on a day trip from Santiago. On a visit to the valley, you’ll discover many wineries and vineyards that boast picturesque views of mountains in the near distance. The area truly looks straight out of a postcard!
The best wines in this region are Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere, but many varieties of grapes are planted including Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, and more. The wines taste unique and are incredibly affordable to try during a tasting or to buy bottles. A lot of the wineries also have olive oil sampling, which is just as good!
While there are many wineries to choose from in Maipo Valley, my favorite would be Santa Rita Winery. Founded in 1880, it is one of the biggest producers of wine in Chile. The vineyards stand at the base of mountains and the grounds are home to a stunning garden for visitors to walk through. The tours are very detailed and teach you a lot about the wine and the history of the winery, showcasing one of the best wine regions in South America.
Other Best Wine Regions in South American
Tarija, Bolivia
By Kelli of The Vanabond Tales
Bolivia is often overshadowed as a wine-producing region by its neighbors to the south. And while it’s true that Bolivia doesn’t produce the same quantity of wine as Chile or Argentina, when it comes to quality, the region of Tarija, Bolivia, is starting to turn heads and is one of the best wine regions in South America.
While you can find white varieties like sauvignon blanc or chardonnay here, the stars of the show are the bold red varietals. Expect Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons, Cabernet Francs and Tannats.
The Tannat (often recognized as Uruguay’s favorite grape) in particular has made itself at home here and is the perfect accompaniment to steak, for which the Tarija region is also renowned.
Although wine has been grown here for a long time, the tourism market around it is only just emerging. Those hoping to drop into wineries on the day may be disappointed by lackluster communication and odd opening and closing hours of the wineries here. Nevertheless, with some forward planning (and a little persistence), you can visit many of the major wineries in the area.
We visited the vineyard and winery of Bodega Aranjuez. A tour of their vineyards, winery, and a sample of their collection with some small snacks were almost $20 USD per person. While that is expensive compared to some of the other wineries in South America, the tour and the facilities were first-class.
The appeal of Tarija is not only its delicious wine but the opportunity to explore an unsung wine region off the beaten path.
Villa de Leyva, Colombia
By Daniel and Ilona from Top Travel Sights
Everyone knows about Argentinian and Chilean wine, but have you ever heard of Colombian wine?
A few hours north of Bogota, you can find Villa de Leyva. It is a great day trip from Bogota and one of the best wine regions in South America. The city is famous for its historical white-washed buildings and cobblestone streets, but it’s also a great place to visit if you want to try Colombian wine. The climate here is colder than in the tropical zones. At the same time, the temperatures don’t drop as much at night as they would high up in the Andes. This makes the region perfect for growing grapes.
Vinedo Ain Karim is one of the most famous vineyards in the area. Here, visitors can tour the grape fields, visit the wine cellars and also taste various wines.
The vineyard mainly produces Cabernet Sauvignon, branded as Marques de Villa de Leyva, but you can also find Merlot here. Since bottling the first wine in 1992, the owners have won multiple awards for the quality of their wines.
Tours don’t just include tasting two different wines, you can also choose to enjoy them with a selection of cheese, ham and fresh fruit from the region. Or you could opt for a picnic in the middle of the vineyard, where you enjoy fresh food and a whole bottle of wine of your choosing.
If you’re travelling with someone who doesn’t enjoy wine as much as you do, don’t worry. The vineyard also serves wine cocktails, mixtures of wine, lemonade and mint.
You can find Vinedo Ain Karim ten kilometres outside Villa de Leyva, just a short taxi ride away from town.
Ica, Peru
By Camila of Travel Cami
The region of Ica in Peru is famous for two main reasons: First, it is where the amazing Oasis of Huacachina is located and second, it is home to some of the best wine regions in South America!
There is a great variety of wines that can be found in the region, but the specialty is the pisco. Make sure to try Quebrada de Ihaunco (made from the pisco grape), Inquebrantable 1 (one of their finest pisco), and lastly, the traditional Don Jorge and Don Manuel.
Regarding wineries, there are two you should visit: Hacienda Bodega Tacama and El Catador. Hacienda Bodega Tacama is the oldest winery in Peru and it is quite large and industrial (although beautiful!) and El Catador is smaller and family-owned.
What is most amazing about the wine in Ica is how old it is. Peru was the first country in South America to start producing wine and every person I met at the wineries was extremely passionate and knowledgeable about wine. Another great thing is that the wineries are a big part of tourism in the area and they all can be visited almost for free (wine tasting included!).
Because of its location, the wines that are produced in Ica are quite similar to the ones from Chile, so if you enjoy Chilean wines I am sure you will fall in love with the ones from Peru as well.
Best Wine Regions in Mexico
Looking for a wine region outside of South America? Central American and Mexico are starting to produce some pretty delicious wines as well. Make sure to check out the Valle de Guadalupe and Parras Valley in Mexico.
Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
By Shelley of Travel Mexico Solo
Located less than two hours by car from San Diego, California, you’ll be in Valle de Guadalupe, or the Valley of Guadalupe. “Valle,” as it’s known by locals, is fast becoming one of the best destinations in Baja California state — especially for wine lovers and foodies.
Nicknamed the “Napa Valley of Mexico,” Valle similarly produces many different grapes, wines and blends at its 100 or so wineries. The mild, dry, desert-like climate is similar to that of California, so Valle is an ideal place for growing grapes and a variety of crops.
Given it’s ideal growing climate, and that it’s much less expensive than California, Valle attracts winemakers and big-name wine labels from all over the world. Of all the available options, here are some of the best vineyards in Valle de Guadalupe:
- Adobe Guadalupe: Try the well-known Gabriel wine, a Bordeaux-style red, in their Spanish Mission-style tasting room.
- AlXimia: Mathematician Alvaro Alvarez-Parrilla’s flying saucer-shaped vineyard looks otherworldly, and is known for its Carignan/Grenache blend, Magma.
- Villa Montefiori: Producing all Italian grapes under the watchful eye of winemaker Paolo Paoloni, their standout Nebbiolo de Guadalupe is made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes.
Though Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, is the largest wine region in the country, there are actually six other states in Mexico producing wine — Zacatecas, Sonora, Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Durango and Queretaro.
Queretaro state is home to the second largest wine-producing region in Mexico. It is best known for the Finca Sala Vivé by Freixenet Mexico vineyard, which produces cava-style wines.
This pretty vineyard is a popular stop on the Mexico Wine & Cheese Route, with several vineyards and cheese caves in and around the cities of Bernal and Tequisquiapan, in Queretaro state.
Visitors can spend a lot of time exploring the best wine regions in South America. Other popular regions include Canelones in Uruguay, and Campanha, Serra do Sudeste, and Serra Gaucha in Brazil. Be sure to keep an eye on this growing wine scene!
Although these are some of the best wine regions in South America, other countries around the world have some awesome wine tasting areas. Interested in reading about more wine regions around the world? Make sure to check out these posts for the best areas to wine taste around the world.
Best Wine Regions in Australia
Best Wine Regions in New Zealand
Best Wine Regions in the United States
