Sometimes It’s Good to Be Wrong

We usually seek out smaller, lesser-known wineries when we travel. So imagine our surprise when one of our favorite experiences in Chile came from one of the country’s biggest producers.

We went into Concha y Toro expecting something large and commercial. And, well, it is large. But it also knows how to put on a tour and a show. Thanks in large part to our guide, Gonzalo, we had a genuinely fun day exploring the expansive grounds, learning more about the winery, and enjoying an experience that felt polished without taking itself too seriously.

We were very happy to be wrong.

Concha y Toro

Just outside Santiago, Concha y Toro is easy to reach by rideshare, taxi, or pre-arranged car. The gardens and property alone make the trip worthwhile, and the scale of the operation offers an interesting contrast to the smaller wineries we visited elsewhere in Chile.

Concha y Toro produces a huge range of wines, from familiar everyday bottles to much more serious, limited-production wines. Current labels include:

• Casillero del Diablo

• Diablo

• Marques de Casa Concha

• Marques de Casa Concha Heritage

• Terrunyo

• Carmín de Peumo

• Amelia

• The Master

• Concha y Toro The Wine

• Frontera

• Reservado

• Casillero del Diablo Devil’s Brut

Across those ranges, you’ll find grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Grigio, Moscato, and Pedro Jiménez, along with blends and sparkling wines.

Would we normally choose a winery this big? Probably not. Are we glad we did? Absolutely. We even left with commemorative wine glasses, which now remind us that sometimes the places you almost dismiss can end up being some of the most fun.