Colchagua Full Day Wine Tour: Casa Silva & L’Apostolle Wineries

Two wineries, one long day. This private outing takes you 99 miles south of Santiago into the Colchagua Valley, pairing Casa Silva’s old-world charm with the modern style of L’Apostolle, also known as Clos Apalta. I like the contrast between the two estates, and I like that your hotel pickup and private vehicle remove much of the day’s transport hassle.

The three-wine tasting at Casa Silva, the mountain views, and the chance to stop for a traditional Chilean lunch are strong reasons to book. The drawback is the distance and the fixed schedule: a delayed pickup can cut into winery time, and one reported late start led to a rushed visit at L’Apostolle and a missed restaurant lunch.

Key things to know before booking

• Casa Silva offers three tastings: You sample two red wines and one white after a one-hour winery visit.
• The wineries feel very different: Casa Silva brings old-world charm, while L’Apostolle is known for modern design and elevated valley views.
• The drive is part of the experience: Expect about 160 kilometers each way from Santiago, with agriculture, vineyards, and mountain scenery along the route.
• Lunch is part of the middle of the day: You can choose a restaurant or vineyard setting, with traditional Chilean foods available.
• This is a private tour: Only your group participates, with pickup from selected Santiago neighborhoods.
• Build in schedule patience: The tour is listed at nine to ten hours, and any pickup delay may reduce time at the wineries.

Why the Colchagua Valley makes a worthwhile day trip

Chile’s wine country begins well beyond Santiago’s central streets. This tour sends you south toward Colchagua, about 160 kilometers from the capital, so you get a broad look at the countryside before the tastings even begin.

I like this setup because the road journey gives the day a sense of place. You are not simply being dropped at a tasting room. You watch the city give way to agricultural land, vineyards, and mountain views. The drive takes time, but that distance is also why the Colchagua Valley feels like a separate wine region rather than just another Santiago neighborhood.

The tour begins with pickup at 8:00 a.m. from hotels in Santiago Centro, Providencia, Vitacura, and Las Condes. Since the tour is private, you avoid joining a large mixed group and can expect the day to be limited to your own party.

Still, I would treat the morning meeting time seriously. One account describes a pickup delay of about an hour because the driver did not have the correct names. That created a chain reaction: the winery order changed, lunch options narrowed, and the L’Apostolle visit felt rushed. Confirming your hotel name and pickup details in advance is a sensible step.

Casa Silva: three wines and a more traditional feel

Casa Silva is the first winery stop, with an hour set aside for the tour and tasting. You learn about the estate while walking through its vineyards and then taste three wines: two reds and one white.

That mix gives you a useful introduction to the winery’s range. If you mainly drink red wine, the two red pours let you compare styles, while the white keeps the tasting from feeling one-note. The supplied details do not name the exact labels, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed grape variety or vintage.

Casa Silva is described as having old-world charm and a broad selection of appealing wines. That makes it a good first stop. The setting and presentation offer a more established, traditional wine-country mood before the day shifts to the newer architectural style at L’Apostolle.

There is also a pleasant bonus if you arrive early. One party was offered bicycles and enjoyed riding around the property before the main visit. This is not listed as a guaranteed part of the tour, so I would regard it as a possible extra, not a promised activity. If it is available, it can be a fine way to use spare time and take in the vineyards at a slower pace.

The one-hour slot is enough for a focused introduction, but it is not a leisurely wine-school session. You will get a tour, an explanation of the winemaking setting, and three samples. If you want a long cellar visit, extensive food pairing, or a large tasting flight, this outing may feel brisk.

Lunch in the vineyards, with Chilean flavors

After Casa Silva, you stop for lunch at a restaurant or vineyard setting of your choice. The meal is an important part of the day because the wineries are separated by another 30-kilometer drive, and wine tasting on an empty stomach is never a clever plan.

The food can include traditional Chilean dishes. One particularly praised detail was the availability of live clams, described as a dish not to miss. That gives the meal a local character rather than making it a generic stop between attractions.

Your choice of restaurant or vineyard setting sounds flexible, but the day’s timing may affect what is possible. A delayed start reportedly caused the order of the wineries to change and eliminated the planned restaurant lunch. That is the main practical weakness of the itinerary.

I would clarify the lunch plan early in the morning. Ask where you are likely to eat, how much time is available, and whether your preferred restaurant is confirmed. The tour description allows for a restaurant or vineyard, but it does not specify that lunch is included in the $258.14 price. Check the booking terms carefully so you know which costs are covered.

For me, this meal is one of the tour’s best chances to slow down. The drive is long, the tastings are scheduled, and lunch gives you room to enjoy the mountain views and talk with your guide. If you are hoping for a relaxed day rather than a rapid succession of appointments, protecting this stop matters.

L’Apostolle and Clos Apalta’s modern side

After lunch, the route continues about 30 kilometers to L’Apostolle, identified in the tour information as Clos Apalta. This winery is presented as one of the most striking properties in the Colchagua Valley, with a viewpoint from above the valley.

The mood changes here. Casa Silva offers history and old-world character, while L’Apostolle is modern and elegant, with a newly designed architectural centerpiece. I like that the tour does not send you to two nearly identical estates. You get a useful comparison between traditional and contemporary winemaking spaces.

The visit covers the full wine process, from cultivation and harvest through preparation and the final tasting. That broad outline is valuable because it connects the finished wine in your glass with the work that comes before it. You also get a view over the valley, which helps you understand the physical setting behind the vineyards.

The planned visit lasts about an hour. That should give you a clear introduction, but it leaves little spare time if your group arrives late. The earlier pickup problem had the greatest effect here, with the visit reportedly feeling rushed. L’Apostolle is the stop where schedule control matters most.

I would not assume the tour order will always remain fixed. The published plan places Casa Silva first and L’Apostolle after lunch, but operational changes can occur. If seeing the second winery at a relaxed pace is especially important to you, confirm the day’s schedule with the provider.

The guide can shape the whole day

The quality of a private wine trip depends heavily on the person driving and explaining the region. Andres received strong praise for being friendly, well informed, and entertaining throughout the day. His role went beyond steering the vehicle. He helped connect the wineries, food, wine, and Chilean setting into one coherent outing.

That matters on a long transfer day. You spend many hours in the vehicle, so a guide who can keep you engaged makes the distance easier. A good guide can also help you understand what differs between Casa Silva and L’Apostolle instead of treating the stops as interchangeable tasting rooms.

The tour is offered in English, which is helpful for visitors who want the wine process explained clearly. The information does not promise a particular guide, so Andres should be viewed as an example of the level of service possible, not a guaranteed assignment.

Because this is a private activity, you can speak up if you need clarification or want to adjust the pace within the available schedule. That does not remove the fixed winery appointments, but it is still more personal than a large group excursion.

Is $258.14 good value?

At $258.14 per person, this is not a budget wine outing. The price needs to be judged against what you receive: hotel pickup in several Santiago districts, private transportation, a full-day route into Colchagua, visits to two wineries, wine tastings, and an English-language experience.

For a private excursion, that package can be reasonable if you value convenience. Organizing a 160-kilometer trip, winery reservations, a driver, and a return journey on your own would take effort. You also avoid the problem of deciding who drives after tasting wine.

The value is weaker if you are mainly looking for a quick tasting or the lowest possible price. The day is long, and the winery visits are each about one hour. Lunch may not be included, and the exact food or wine selection is not specified. You are paying for access, transport, privacy, and a carefully shaped day, not just for the number of pours.

I would also take the non-refundable terms seriously. Once booked, the amount paid cannot be refunded or changed for any reason. That makes it especially important to verify your date, hotel location, group size, and pickup details before committing.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend the experience to you if you want a private introduction to Colchagua without arranging the transport yourself. It suits couples, families, and small groups who prefer their own vehicle and want to combine wine, food, scenery, and conversation in one full day.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy comparing places with different personalities. Casa Silva gives you traditional character and three wines, while L’Apostolle provides modern design, a high viewpoint, and a wider explanation of the production process.

You should think twice if you dislike long drives or tightly timed appointments. The total outing lasts about nine to ten hours, and the road distance is substantial. A late pickup can have real consequences because there is not much extra time built into the schedule.

This is not the best match for someone seeking a slow, unstructured day at one estate. It is better for someone who wants two contrasting wineries and accepts that the route requires a full day away from Santiago.

Practical details for a smoother day

Pickup is available from hotels in Santiago Centro, Providencia, Vitacura, and Las Condes. If your hotel sits outside those areas, do not assume pickup is included. The tour is near public transportation, but the provided details do not specify a particular meeting station or alternative pickup point.

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the activity cannot be refunded or amended, wait for confirmation before treating the reservation as final.

Most people can participate, according to the provided information. The tour is private, so only your group takes part. Mobile tickets are accepted, and the experience is offered in English.

I would keep the morning organized: have your phone available, be clear about your hotel name, and confirm the driver has the right pickup information. That small bit of preparation may protect the lunch stop and the final winery visit from unnecessary pressure.

Should you book the Casa Silva and L’Apostolle tour?

I would book it if you want a polished private day in Colchagua and value the convenience of hotel pickup, a dedicated vehicle, and two very different wineries. The strongest features are the Casa Silva tasting, the traditional Chilean lunch possibilities, the views from L’Apostolle, and the chance to compare old-world and modern wine styles.

I would skip it if $258.14 feels high for a day with only two one-hour winery visits, or if you need a very flexible schedule. Before paying, confirm the pickup, lunch arrangement, and winery order. With those details settled, this can be a memorable way to reach Chile’s wine country without managing the long drive yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

Pickup is offered from hotels in Santiago Centro, Providencia, Vitacura, and Las Condes.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately nine to ten hours.

How far is Colchagua Valley from Santiago?

The route to Colchagua is about 160 kilometers, or 99 miles, south of Santiago.

Which wineries are included?

The tour includes Viña Casa Silva and L’Apostolle, also identified in the information as Clos Apalta.

How many wines are tasted at Casa Silva?

The Casa Silva visit includes three wines: two reds and one white.

Is lunch included?

The itinerary includes a lunch stop at a restaurant or vineyard of your choice, but the provided details do not state whether the meal cost is included in the tour price.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking.