Casablanca world class wines, 4 vineyards & Tanino lunch stop

Casablanca Valley gives you a full day of wine without the polished, factory feel of a large commercial estate. This trip visits three wineries for tastings, plus a fourth vineyard where you stop for lunch, giving you organic wines, sparkling wine, inventive blends, and a long meal in one outing.

I like the variety here: Emiliana’s organic and biodynamic focus feels very different from Viñamar’s sparkling wine tradition, while Bodegas RE brings a smaller, more experimental style. I also like the small vehicle, hotel pickup, and guides such as Cristian, Julio, Daniel, Marcelo, Ignacio, Joao, Mauricio, and Nacho, who have led departures with local stories along the way.

The catch is simple: this is a long day, and lunch at Tanino is not included. You pay for your own meal, and the restaurant can feel expensive if you are used to modest Chilean dining. Also, you taste wine at only three of the four vineyard stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Three tastings, four vineyard stops: Emiliana, Viñamar, and Bodegas RE include wine tastings. Casas del Bosque is the lunch stop.
• A good range of wine styles: Try organic wines, sparkling wine, white and red varieties, and unusual blends across the day.
• Small-group transport: The vehicle holds a maximum of 15 people, with air conditioning and hotel pickup and drop-off.
• Tanino is a real meal stop: Lunch is à la carte and paid separately, with fresh local ingredients and a vineyard setting.
• Plan for a full nine hours: The day includes transfers from Santiago, vineyard visits, free time, and lunch.
• Monday changes the first stop: Emiliana is closed on Mondays, so the tour visits Veramonte organic vineyard instead.

Why Casablanca Valley makes a good day trip from Santiago

Casablanca Valley lies about 90 minutes south of Santiago, depending on traffic. The drive takes you through the Curacaví Valley, where fields cultivated by local farmers provide a useful transition from city streets to vineyard country.

That transfer time matters. This is not a quick tasting squeezed into a half-day. You spend roughly nine hours on the road and at the vineyards, so you can see several producers without rushing from one glass to the next.

Hotel pickup begins at 8:00 am. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the group is capped at 15 people. That is a practical middle ground: small enough for a more personal day, but not a private tour. The drive back toward Santiago can be affected by traffic, so keep your evening plans flexible.

The guides add much of the trip’s character. Cristian, who grew up in the area, has shared local culture and regional background during the drive. Other departures have included Joao, also called John, as well as Julio, Daniel, Marcelo, Ignacio, Mauricio, and Nacho. Your guide will vary, but the format calls for a professional local guide rather than a driver who simply drops you at the gates.

Emiliana: organic wine and a gentler first stop

The first scheduled winery is Emiliana Organic Vineyards, Chile’s largest organic winery. The visit lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes and includes admission, a vineyard visit, and a tasting of three award-winning wines.

Emiliana is a useful opening stop because it gives you a clear theme right away: organic and biodynamic viticulture. The tour explains the winery’s sustainable practices, so you get more than a quick pour and a shop visit. If you care about farming methods, this is likely the most educational stop of the day.

The setting also has a lighter side. You may have the chance to feed the alpacas, a small detail that several people found memorable. It is worth asking your guide about this when you arrive, since animal access and timing can vary.

The three wines give you a first sense of Chilean variety, but remember that the exact labels can change. Emiliana is a working winery with a strong environmental identity, not simply a scenic backdrop for photographs. If that is what you want, it is a solid start. If you prefer a tiny family cellar, this stop may feel larger than the later boutique wineries.

On Mondays, Emiliana is closed. The tour substitutes Veramonte organic vineyard, so the day still includes an organic wine experience, but the first stop will not be identical to the regular schedule.

Viñamar: sparkling wine in the Casablanca countryside

Casa Valle Viñamar is the second stop, with about 1 hour and 15 minutes for a vineyard tour and a tasting of three emblematic wines. Founded in 2002, Viñamar combines sparkling and still wine production.

This is where the day broadens beyond the usual red-wine image of Chile. The sparkling wines make Viñamar distinct from the other stops, and you can also taste still wines in the same visit. If you enjoy bubbles, this is an important part of the route. If you mainly drink reds, it still gives you a useful comparison.

The order of the tastings can vary, but the overall point is contrast. Emiliana focuses on organic and biodynamic methods. Viñamar brings sparkling wine and a more established winery experience. That difference keeps the day from feeling like four versions of the same tour.

You have time for the vineyard visit, the tasting, and some browsing rather than being rushed through the door. Still, 75 minutes is not enough for a long private tour of every part of the property. Think of it as a focused introduction, not a full winemaking course.

Bodegas RE: the most inventive tasting

Bodegas RE is the third tasting stop, also planned for around 1 hour and 15 minutes. This boutique winery is known for unusual blends and innovative techniques, and the visit includes a vineyard tour plus two wine tastings.

The smaller scale changes the mood. Bodegas RE is a good fit if you like wines with a story behind them, especially blends that do not follow the most familiar formulas. You get fewer pours here than at Emiliana or Viñamar, but the point is not quantity. It is a chance to see a different winemaking approach.

The three tasting rooms also offer a useful progression. Emiliana gives you sustainability, Viñamar gives you sparkling and still wines, and Bodegas RE gives you experimentation. By the third stop, you should have a better sense of which styles appeal to you.

This is also the point when pacing matters. You have already tasted at two wineries, and lunch is still ahead. Drink slowly, use any water offered, and do not feel obliged to finish every pour. The tour is designed as a full day, not a contest.

Casas del Bosque and Tanino lunch

The fourth vineyard is Viña Casas del Bosque, home to Tanino Restaurant. This stop lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes and is used for lunch rather than another included tasting.

Tanino follows a farm-to-table approach, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and gourmet dishes. The restaurant sits among the vines, and the setting is intended to complement the wines you have already sampled. You order from an à la carte menu, so you can choose how much or how little to spend.

Lunch is not included in the tour price. That distinction is important because the headline cost covers transportation, the guide, admission, and three tastings, but not your meal. The restaurant can be costly by Chilean standards, especially if you choose several courses or add wine. On the other hand, the long lunch is part of the appeal: after three vineyard visits, you get time to sit down rather than rush straight into another tasting.

You might consider ordering a pisco sour instead of more wine, particularly if you want a change after the tastings. Some people choose a multi-course menu with wine, while others prefer a single dish. The à la carte setup lets you control the bill, though you should budget extra before booking.

The fourth stop does not include a formal tasting. You may see and buy wine at the vineyard, but do not book this tour expecting four separate wine tastings. It is three tastings and one restaurant stop.

What the $149 price really covers

At $149 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Casablanca Valley. The value comes from combining four vineyard properties, three tastings, round-trip hotel transport, and a professional guide in one day.

You avoid arranging a rental car, finding designated driving, and coordinating separate reservations. That matters in a wine region, where the wineries are spread out and the return drive to Santiago can be tiring. Admission at Emiliana, Viñamar, and Bodegas RE is included, as are the wine tastings at those three stops.

The price looks better if you want a broad introduction rather than a single in-depth winery visit. You see organic production, sparkling wine, boutique blends, and a respected restaurant setting in one outing. It looks less attractive if you want a private guide, extensive cellar access, or a long meal included in the fare.

Set aside money for lunch. The tour does not list a fixed meal price, and Tanino’s menu lets you choose what to order. The exact amount will depend on your meal and drinks.

The pace, group size, and practical details

The day starts at 8:00 am and lasts about nine hours, including all driving. That makes it a serious day trip, not a brief excursion before an afternoon in Santiago.

The maximum group size is 15 people. Actual group size can vary, but the cap keeps the vehicle smaller than a large coach tour. A small group also makes it easier to ask questions, hear the guide, and spend free time browsing wines without feeling lost in a crowd.

Most people can take part, and no health restriction is listed. Service animals are allowed. The legal drinking age in Chile is 18, so bring that in mind if someone in your party is younger.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of people is also required, and a cancellation for that reason comes with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since the tour is often booked well ahead, reserving in advance is sensible, but keep the 24-hour cutoff in mind.

Who will enjoy this wine day most

I would choose this tour if you want a broad, well-organized introduction to Casablanca Valley and do not want to drive after drinking. It suits couples, solo visitors, and friends who enjoy comparing wineries rather than spending an entire day at one estate.

It also works well for people who like variety. You can taste white, red, and sparkling wines, along with organic wines and distinctive blends. The changes in style and setting give the day a clear rhythm.

You may want a different format if you dislike long drives, prefer a private experience, or want lunch included in the advertised price. The nine-hour schedule is full, and the 90-minute transfer each way can feel long if wine is only a minor interest.

This is not the right choice if your main goal is four tastings. Only three wineries include tastings, while the fourth is reserved for lunch. Read that detail carefully before paying.

Should you book this Casablanca Valley tour?

Book it if you want a convenient, varied day from Santiago with a small group, three included tastings, and a proper restaurant stop. The strongest part is the contrast between Emiliana, Viñamar, and Bodegas RE. You are not simply repeating the same vineyard visit four times.

I especially like the balance between organic farming, sparkling wine, boutique blends, and a relaxed lunch at Casas del Bosque. The guides and drivers also matter, since the day includes substantial time on the road.

Skip it if you need an all-inclusive price or a private, highly specialized wine tour. Otherwise, budget for Tanino, pace yourself at the tastings, and keep your evening open. At $149, this is a fair value for a full-service day that removes the transport and planning burden.

FAQ

How many wineries does the tour visit?

The tour visits four vineyard properties: Emiliana Organic Vineyards, Casa Valle Viñamar, Bodegas RE, and Casas del Bosque. Wine tastings are included at the first three. Casas del Bosque is the lunch stop.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

No. Lunch at Tanino Restaurant is paid separately. The restaurant uses an à la carte menu, so you choose what to order and pay according to your selections.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am. The full experience lasts about nine hours, including transportation, vineyard visits, free time, and lunch.

What happens if I book for a Monday?

Emiliana is closed on Mondays. On that day, the tour visits Veramonte organic vineyard instead.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a professional local guide. The vehicle can carry a maximum of 15 people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded or accepted. If bad weather or an insufficient number of bookings cancels the tour, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.