Casablanca world class wines, 4 vineyards & Tanino lunch stop

Three wineries, one excellent lunch stop. This full-day trip from Santiago gives you a well-paced look at Chile’s Casablanca Valley, with tastings at Emiliana Organic Vineyards, Viñamar, and Bodegas RE, followed by an a la carte meal at Tanino inside Casas del Bosque. I especially like the mix of organic, sparkling, boutique, and classic wines, and I like that the small group format, capped at 15 people, leaves room for conversation. The main catch is simple: the fourth vineyard is a lunch stop, not another tasting, and lunch is not included in the $149 price.

The tour begins with hotel pickup around 8:00 a.m. and lasts about nine hours, including drives, winery visits, free time, and lunch. Guides such as Cristián, Julio, Daniel, Marcelo, Ignacio, and Joao have been praised for friendly service and local insight, but your actual guide will depend on the departure date.

Key points at a glance

• Three tasting stops: Emiliana, Viñamar, and Bodegas RE each offer a different view of Chilean winemaking.
• A fourth vineyard for lunch: Tanino at Casas del Bosque provides the setting and meal stop, but no included wine tasting.
• Strong value for a full day: The price covers transport, hotel pickup, guide service, and three tastings.
• A relaxed pace: Each winery visit lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, with 1 hour and 30 minutes set aside for lunch.
• Small-group travel: The maximum group size is 15, useful for questions and a less crowded feel.
• Monday change: Emiliana is closed on Mondays, so the tour visits Veramonte Organic Vineyard instead.

Why Casablanca Valley makes a good day from Santiago

Casablanca Valley sits roughly 90 minutes south of Santiago, depending on traffic. The drive takes you through the Curacaví Valley, where fields cultivated by local farmers provide a change from the city and a useful introduction to the agricultural character of central Chile.

I like this tour because it treats the wineries as more than tasting rooms. You get a look at vineyards, winemaking methods, and the different personalities of four properties. The stops are not all built around the same sales pitch. One focuses on organic and biodynamic farming, another is known for sparkling wine, and another takes a more experimental boutique approach.

The nine-hour length is also worth understanding. You are not spending nine hours at winery tables. The day includes pickup, road time between Santiago and Casablanca, visits, tastings, lunch, and the return drive. That makes it a substantial outing, but the schedule is broken into manageable pieces rather than one long block.

8:00 a.m. pickup and the road south

Pickup begins at about 8:00 a.m. from your hotel. The air-conditioned vehicle is a practical advantage, particularly after several tastings when nobody wants to think about driving back to Santiago.

The group can include up to 15 people. That is small enough for a more personal outing, though the exact feel depends on the day’s attendance. Several guide accounts describe prompt hotel pickup, clear communication, and comfortable driving. One guide, Nacho, created a WhatsApp group the day before to coordinate pickup times, while Joao was praised for keeping the group informed during the day.

Traffic around Santiago can be heavy. The driver matters here, and Fernando received specific praise for handling the city roads safely. You should expect the road portion to be part of the day, not just a quick transfer.

Emiliana Organic Vineyards: a thoughtful first tasting

The first scheduled winery is Emiliana, described as Chile’s largest organic winery. The visit lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes and includes a tour of the vineyard plus a tasting of three wines.

This is a strong opening stop because it gives you a clear theme right away. Emiliana works with organic and biodynamic methods, so the visit is not only about which grape is in your glass. You also get context for how the vineyard is managed and how sustainable practices affect the work.

The first tasting can set the tone for the rest of the day. You will sample three award-winning wines, and the setting includes more than rows of vines. A particularly useful tip from the day is to allow time for the alpacas at Emiliana. Feeding them is an optional small moment, but it adds a bit of charm to what could otherwise be a formal wine stop.

The drawback is that the first stop may feel more structured than Bodegas RE later in the day. If you want a very informal, owner-led boutique visit from the start, Emiliana may feel more polished. If you care about organic agriculture, it is likely one of the most worthwhile stops.

On Mondays, Emiliana is closed. The tour then visits Veramonte Organic Vineyard instead, so Monday departures follow a slightly different first stop.

Viñamar: sparkling wine and a change of pace

Casa Valle Viñamar is in the heart of the Casablanca Valley. Founded in 2002, it produces both sparkling and still wines and combines traditional methods with newer winemaking ideas.

The visit lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. You receive a vineyard tour and taste three emblematic wines. This stop gives the day useful variety, since sparkling wines create a different tasting experience from the organic wines at Emiliana.

I like the order of these stops because you are not asked to compare four similar wineries. Each property brings a different focus, and Viñamar helps keep the day from becoming a string of nearly identical tastings. The setting is described as impressive, but the important point for you is the range: reds, whites, sparkling wines, and Pinot Noir may all appear across the day’s tastings.

The schedule also gives you enough time to ask questions, look around, and consider purchases without rushing straight back into the vehicle. If you plan to buy bottles, bring a way to keep track of which winery produced each favorite. After several tastings, every label can begin to look like a brilliant idea.

Bodegas RE: the boutique stop

Bodegas RE brings the most experimental personality to the day. It is a boutique winery known for unusual blends and creative techniques. You receive a vineyard tour and taste two wines during a visit of about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The number of wines is smaller here than at Emiliana or Viñamar, but that does not make the stop less important. The point is contrast. Bodegas RE gives you another way to think about Chilean wine, especially if you are interested in blends and smaller-scale production rather than only established labels.

Several accounts describe the three tasting wineries as very different from one another. That variety is one of the tour’s best features. You are not visiting three copies of the same operation, and the guides at each property help explain those differences in clear English.

The exact tasting order may vary, but you should expect to sample a broad mix across the day. Reds, whites, sparkling wines, and a surprisingly good Pinot Noir have all been singled out as highlights. The tour is therefore a better fit for someone who wants range than for someone determined to focus on one grape or one winery style.

Casas del Bosque and Tanino: lunch among the vines

The fourth vineyard is Viña Casas del Bosque, but this stop is for lunch at Tanino Restaurant rather than a wine tasting. You have about 1 hour and 30 minutes here.

Tanino uses a farm-to-table approach with locally sourced ingredients and serves an a la carte menu. The restaurant is set among the vineyards, with a relaxed but polished atmosphere. A terrace overlooking the vines is especially appealing for a long lunch after three tastings.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day, but it requires realistic budgeting. Lunch is not included, and you choose and pay for your own dishes. A tasting menu with wine has been described as delicious, while another account found the restaurant expensive compared with usual expectations. The right approach is to check the menu and prices before ordering, then treat the meal as a separate restaurant visit rather than a bundled tour feature.

You may also want to pace yourself before lunch. Three tastings can add up, even when each pour is modest. The pisco sour suggestion is tempting, but after a full morning of wine, water and food may be the wiser first order.

What the $149 price really covers

At $149 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Casablanca Valley, but the cost includes several items that can make a full-day wine trip expensive to arrange independently.

You receive:

• Hotel pickup and return
• An air-conditioned vehicle
• A professional local guide
• Admission to Emiliana
• Admission to Viñamar
• Admission to Bodegas RE
• Wine tastings at three wineries
• The stop at Tanino for lunch

The price does not cover lunch, purchases, or any extra drinks ordered at Tanino. The inclusion of three winery admissions and tastings gives the package solid value, especially if you are staying in Santiago and do not want to organize transport or choose a sober driver.

The value improves for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction rather than a serious collector’s tour. You get three distinct winery experiences in one day and a proper meal stop. It may be less appealing if you already know the Casablanca producers you want to visit and prefer to spend several hours at just one estate.

Guides, drivers, and the feel of the day

The human side of this trip receives unusually strong praise. Cristián was described as friendly and well informed about the valley, Chilean culture, and local history. Julio, Daniel, Marcelo, Ignacio, Joao, and Nacho were also named positively for good communication, humor, and care with the group.

You should not assume a particular guide on your date, but the repeated pattern is useful. The guide is not simply there to count heads and point toward the next tasting room. The better version of this tour includes background during the drives, help with timing, and conversation that makes the long road sections pass quickly.

The driver is just as important. Santiago traffic can be demanding, and the tour keeps you out of the driver’s seat after drinking. That is a major practical benefit, not a minor convenience.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full Casablanca introduction in one day. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy trying different wines without needing specialist knowledge.

It is also a good choice if you care about the setting and the meal as much as the tasting itself. The vineyard visits provide structure, while Tanino gives the afternoon a slower finish.

You may want another option if you dislike long road days, want a tasting at all four wineries, or need a fully prepaid lunch. Families can participate, and most people can take part, but only adults aged 18 or older may legally drink alcohol in Chile.

Practical advice before you go

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for walking around vineyard grounds. The tour includes outdoor vineyard time, though the supplied details do not specify how much walking is involved at each property.

Eat a light breakfast, but do not arrive hungry. Three tasting stops come before a substantial lunch, and the timing makes it sensible to use the meal as a real break rather than a quick snack.

Keep your expectations clear about the fourth stop. You will visit four vineyard properties, but tastings are included at three. Casas del Bosque and Tanino are there for the meal and setting.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. A different date or a full refund is offered if poor weather causes cancellation, or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. Confirmation is provided when you book, and service animals are allowed.

Should you book the Casablanca Valley wine tour?

Book it if you want variety, convenience, and a full day outside Santiago without arranging a driver. The organic focus at Emiliana, sparkling wines at Viñamar, creative blends at Bodegas RE, and lunch at Tanino make a more interesting combination than four nearly identical tastings.

Skip it if your main goal is a fourth wine tasting, or if an a la carte lunch outside the tour price will strain your budget. For most first-time visitors who enjoy wine, scenic countryside, and a relaxed meal, the $149 cost is reasonable for the transport, three tastings, and guide service. Just budget separately for lunch, pace yourself between pours, and remember that Monday uses Veramonte instead of Emiliana.

FAQ

How long does the Casablanca Valley wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately nine hours, including transportation, winery visits, free time, and lunch.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup begins at approximately 8:00 a.m.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

The tour visits four vineyard properties: Emiliana, Viñamar, Bodegas RE, and Casas del Bosque.

Are wine tastings included at all four wineries?

No. Tastings are included at three wineries. Casas del Bosque is the lunch stop, and its Tanino restaurant visit does not include a wine tasting.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch at Tanino is a la carte, and each person pays for their own food and any drinks ordered.

What happens on Mondays?

Emiliana is closed on Mondays. The tour visits Veramonte Organic Vineyard instead.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants.

What is the legal drinking age in Chile?

The legal age to drink alcohol in Chile is 18.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.