Chile, a slender country bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the majestic Andes mountains to the east, has a winemaking tradition that dates back to the 16th century. In 1551, the first vines were planted by Spanish missionaries introducing European grape varieties to this fertile land. Initially, these vineyards were mainly intended for producing sacramental wine. Over the centuries, Chilean viticulture evolved and expanded, particularly in the 19th century with the arrival of french grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere. The geographical isolation of Chile and the absence of this devastating disease allowed vineyards to thrive uninterrupted. In the 1980-1990s, Chile experienced a viticultural revolution with the introduction of modern winemaking techniques. Today, Chilean wine enjoys international recognition, blending tradition and innovation to offer a wide variety of wine of exceptional quality.  

Chile stretches over 4300 kilometers (2700 miles) from north to south but is only about 150 kilometers (100 miles) wide from east to west. This unique geography with the Pacific Ocean and Andes mountains creates a multitude of microclimates favorable for viticulture. The northernmost wine region benefits from a desert climate with hot days and cool nights, the central region offers varied climatic conditions from warm temperatures to refreshing maritime influences. The more southerly regions have a cooler and rainier climate perfect for white grape varieties. 

In a country like Chile, with such a fantastic range of terroirs and climates each region and subregion has its particularity to produce wines. The Atacama region, located in the northernmost part of Chile is home to the driest desert in the world. South of Atacama, the Coquimbo region benefits from a more temperate climate influenced by the nearby Pacific Ocean. This region is gaining a reputation for high-quality wines particularly from its three subregions : Elqui Valley, Limari Valley and Choapa Valley. The Aconcagua region encompasses diverse climates and topographies contributing to a wide range of wine styles and is known for robust red wines especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Central Valley is the heart of Chilean wine production stretching from Santiago to the Maule Valley. This extensive region is divided into several notable subregions: Maipo Valley, Rapel Valley, Curico Valley and Maule Valley.  The southern region encompassing the Bio-Bio and Itata Valley is known for its cooler and wetter climate ideal for white grape varieties. The Austral region, the southernmost wine-producing area in Chile is an emerging region with unique challenges and opportunities due to its extreme latitude. 

Chile is a true paradise for a variety of grape varieties benefiting from its diverse climates and soils. The main grape varieties cultivated are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah, Listan Prieto, Malbec, Pais, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling for the white wines. 

Many estates are recognized as Seña, Viva Almaviva, Clos Apalta, Los Vascos and Santa Rita.