Chilean wine region post-earthquake: how is Curicó faring?

[Andrea Spirov]

Hi everyone - we're planning our trip to Chile in March and are wondering how they are going in Curico and surrounds...we're keen to check out the wine route and would like to stay in Curico, but can't seem to get any information about the state of the region for tourism. Does anyone know?  Thanks in advance, Andrea and John

[Wink Lorch]

Hello Andrea and John

My feeling (but unconfirmed) is that even by next March it may still be difficult to travel easily and find good places to stay in the Curico and Maule vineyard areas as the town of Curico itself was 'flattened' according to a winemaker I spoke to in May.

However, I would suggest that if you've a choice, instead why not visit the wine routes further north, for example the beautiful Colchagua Valley (one of the most switched on for wine tourism) which did sustain some earthquake damage will be much better equipped than Maule and Curico to receive you and also you could link this with some wineries in nearby Cachopoal. Or you could choose Maipo or Casablanca valleys nearer Santiago though these are inevitably the most busy.

I hope this helps - as your trip is still more than 6 months away, please send me a message if you want to check out the situation for the Curico Valley more precisely. I have many contacts out there with whom I regularly in touch via Twitter/FB etc and can check for more details.

Wink
Wine Travel Guides

[Jose R. Garrigo]

Hi Andrea, I heard from Curicó and Talca, including friends in Bodegas Torres and other wineries. The town of Curicó was badly affected as the area was severely hit by the earthquake. I understand that some of the buildings in town were destroyed. Latest reports are that almost all regions are still affected and many roads are also damaged. Perhaps not a good year to go on a Chile wine tour. The people are busy rebuilding or repairing the damages. Check with the Chile Tourism office before you go.

[Andrea Spirov]

Thank you very much for the information, Wink and Jose. I thought this may very well be the case but wanted to confirm. Never mind us - I feel sad for the people in these towns losing such beautiful historical buildings and, of course, their homes and crops. We are in Chile for about six weeks total and have many other places to see - of course we wanted to visit this interesting region, but not if it isn't feasible.

Wink, thank you very much for your recommendations...will definitely look into the areas you mentioned =) Andrea

[Jose R. Garrigo]

Andrea Nicole said:

Thank you very much for the information, Wink and Jose. I thought this may very well be the case but wanted to confirm. Never mind us - I feel sad for the people in these towns losing such beautiful historical buildings and, of course, their homes and crops. We are in Chile for about six weeks total and have many other places to see - of course we wanted to visit this interesting region, but not if it isn't feasible.

Wink, thank you very much for your recommendations...will definitely look into the areas you mentioned =) Andrea

[Jose R. Garrigo]

Oh, since you are staying in Chile six weeks you willl be able to check there about conditions in the various valleys (some were less affected than others) and wineries. I know for sure that some were totally destroyed (as in Talca) and others were badly damaged in the structure or lost a number of wine barrels.

[Adventures Within Reach]

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Sample Wine Tour Day:
The morning half-day tour begins with a visit to one of the most renowned vineyards located in Pirque, Vina Concha y Toro. Located southeast from Santiago, you will stroll through the wine cellars and test the quality wines produced from this vineyard. After we return to Santiago for a leisurely afternoon.