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The vendimia is a generic word for harvests, though it usually refers to the grape harvest festival in Chile and Argentina. The festival is called la fiesta de la vendimia in both countries and generally takes place in April each year.
Arguably, the centre of the Chile grape harvest festival is the Maipo Valley, which is conveniently close to the communication hub of the capital, Santiago, although there are several other wine valleys that celebrate the festival including Colchagua Valley. Of the 7,000 acres of vineyard in the Maipo Valley most is used to make Cabernet Sauvignon.
When Is the Grape Harvest Festival in Chile?
The Chile grape harvest festival is in April. Across the country, the wineries celebrate their harvest. Grapes are trodden, bands play, wine queens are crowned and other local specialities like liquors, chocolate and honey are for the sampling. Different towns will have celebrations at different times and these are advertised locally. Some harvesting takes place in late February through to early May.
Due to this, visits to the festival are often best organised at short notice.
A wine tasting event in a town will typically be one where you buy a glass and tickets then you choose which wines you wish to sample. At a winery, it may involve buying a ticket in advance, spending a day there and/or helping in the harvest.
Finding the Grape Harvest Festival Chile
There are tours that organise the whole holiday for you; however, if you want to do this yourself, for a winery, try De Martino. For towns, do key-word searches for the following and be ready with a translation programme.
Another popular area to try the wine is the Colchagua Valley which has several vineyards offering tours.
Things To Do in Chile
Santiago is nearby with its Plaza de Armas in the centre; La Chascona, home to the poet Pablo Neruda; the Pre-Colombian art museum, the view from San Cristobal or Santa Lucia Hills and city tours. To arrange tours of the region or elsewhere in Chile we suggest you contact Eco Chile Travel.
Alternatively, you can experience the Vendimia Argentina (fiesta de la vendimia), which is celebrated in Mendoza – so expect a lot of quality Malbec – in February and March.
Discover Chile off-the-beaten track in 10 adventures.
Flights to Santiago
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport is in the north-western outskirts of Santiago. From here there are direct international flights to Sao Paulo, Panama, Madrid, Auckland, Sydney, Montevideo, Caracas, Lima and Buenos Aires. Maipo province is to the immediate south of Santiago, so you might be able to negotiate a fare from the airport to the wine harvest.
More information on travel in Chile
If you need more information about Chile, click here. Photos courtesy of the Colchagua wine valley association.
