It began in 1982 when Pablo Morandé planted the region’s first vineyards — four acres of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Riesling. It made news in 1989 when Ignacio Recabarren captured the winegrowing potential of Chile’s Casablanca Valley with his Sauvignon Blanc, the region’s first commercial wine. Until then, no one thought of Casablanca Valley — north of Santiago and cooled by the Pacific Ocean, barely 20 miles away — as an ideal place to produce cooler-climate wines.
Today, Casablanca Valley has 9,000 acres of vineyards, primarily in Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; most were planted in the past seven years. While Chile’s other notable wine regions provide excellent conditions for Bordeaux-style wines, Casablanca is now acknowledged as the country’s premier cool-grape valley.
At a recent tasting, I concentrated on two of Casablanca’s most successful wines — Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. The Sauvignon Blancs are all an inviting pale lemony-yellow and have alcohol levels that balance nicely with the weight of each wine. Veramonte Reserva 2011 is a textbook young Sauvignon Blanc — citrusy, grassy aroma; fresh, clean taste; vibrant acidity. Casas del Bosque Pequeñas Producciones 2011 displays an interesting spiciness but is still an awkward, high-acid youth; it needs time to develop. Kingston Family Cariblanco 2010, a year older, is rounder, more evolved and well-balanced. And Cono Sur 20 Barricas 2009 is soft and silky with a mild spiciness.
Pinot Noir, the red grape of Burgundy, has not always adjusted easily to other regions. Casablanca Valley, however, may prove to be a home away from home in capturing the varietal’s elusive qualities.
The grapes of Emiliana Gran Reserva Novas Pinot Noir 2010 come from the world’s largest organic vineyards, and the wine nicely expresses the subtle personality of the varietal. While it is a dry wine, its aroma is so cherry-like it almost seems sweet — a lovely Pinot Noir. Quintay Q Pinot Noir 2010 is still young, still evolving but promising. It needs a year or two to mature. Morandé Edición Limitada Pinot Noir 2008, also of organic grapes, is a lovely, subdued version with good structure and attractive cherry-like tones.
Prices generally range from $15–25.
Read This Next
All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All

Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Dec 4, 2023Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills Offers a Bevy of Holiday Events
There may not be snow in Los Angeles this season, but Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is certainly full of the holiday spirit, with Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s events happening in the hotel’s gorgeous event spaces.
Sponsored Content
Briggs & Riley: Elevate Your Journey with Quality Luggage
Embracing a life well lived often means embracing a life well-traveled. Every journey becomes a canvas for experiences that shape our lives and at the heart of every adventure lies the indispensable companion: quality luggage.
Daily
Dec 4, 2023Stocking Stuffers for Your Favorite Vagabonds
Looking for fun things to stuff into the toe of a few holiday stockings? Here are some great choices:
Destinations / North America
Dec 4, 20236 U.S. Christmas Markets to See on Your Travels
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through these U.S. Christmas markets with us.
Sponsored Content
Why Buy Trip Cancellation Insurance?
Don’t risk losing all the money you’ve spent if you must cancel your trip at the last minute. Allianz Travel Insurance can give you:
Daily
Dec 4, 2023Hotels Around the World Unveil Incredible Designer Holiday Trees
Everyone loves a good Christmas tree, but these iconic hotels around the world take it one step further with designer-styled trees illuminating lobbies and public spaces, wowing all who enter. From Lela Rose to Louis Vuitton, don’t miss these ultra-luxury trees redefining tree decorating as we know it.
Daily
Dec 1, 2023Kokomo Restaurant Offers Modern Caribbean Cuisine, Music and Art in Transformed NYC Neighborhood
As first-time restaurateurs, but with plenty of hospitality-related experience, Ria and Kevol (Kev) Graham were not entirely comfortable opening their first restaurant in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg, where several upscale restaurants and 5-star hotel dining is just a block away. And to make matters worse, they opened in July 2020, when New York City was in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Daily
Dec 1, 2023The River Less Traveled: 3 Compelling River Cruise Itineraries Debuting in 2024
In addition to intimate settings, smaller staff-to-passenger ratios, and personalized food and beverage options, river cruises have the advantage of providing a deeper dive into a region’s culture, food and history. The Rhine, Rhône and Danube in Europe and the Mississippi River and St. Lawrence in North America have much to offer travelers with their itineraries, tying together beloved cities and lesser-known destinations along their routes.
ShareThis