Exclusive wineries in Casablanca Valley & Tanino Restaurant

Wine country starts close to Santiago. This full-day outing takes you from your hotel to three very different wineries in Casablanca Valley, then finishes with lunch at Tanino Restaurant at Casas del Bosque. I like the mix of organic wine production, unusual cellar methods, formal tastings, and a polished vineyard meal. I also like that the group is capped at 15, with many departures running much smaller.

The main consideration is the length. With roughly 10 hours on the road and at the wineries, this is a full day, and lunch is not included in the $79 price. The tasting option also needs attention: the day includes three winery stops, but you choose whether to prepay for one tasting or three.

The day in four useful facts

• Alpacas and organic wine come first: Emiliana gives the morning a friendly start, with animals, gardens, and three wines paired with small bites.
• Bodegas RE is the most unusual stop: Its underground cellars, oak barrels, clay jars, and distinctive blends make it more than a standard tasting room.
• Casas del Bosque combines wine and lunch: You taste four wines there, then have the option of eating at Tanino, a highly regarded vineyard restaurant.
• Hotel pickup removes the transport hassle: An air-conditioned minivan takes you from Santiago to the valley and back.
• Small groups make the day easier: The maximum is 15 people, and some groups have been as small as five.
• The value depends on your appetite: At $79, transport, guiding, winery entry, and tastings are covered, but lunch is extra.

Leaving Santiago for Casablanca Valley

Pickup is listed for around 8:00 a.m., though the tour description also refers to an 8:30 pickup. Confirm the exact time and location when you book, especially if your hotel is in central Santiago or outside the usual pickup area.

Once everyone is aboard, the journey to Casablanca Valley takes about 1.5 hours. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide and driver, passing gentle vine-covered hills and river valleys along the way. The transfer matters here. Casablanca is not a quick city excursion, and arranging several winery visits independently would mean dealing with driving, taxis, or a private car.

The guide helps set the scene during the ride. Past guides have included Samantha, Alvaro, Benjamin, Paula, Rodrigo, and others. Strong guiding is one of the most praised parts of the experience, especially when groups include English and Spanish speakers, or even three languages. Guides explain the wine styles and the towns along the route, rather than treating the drive as dead time.

You should expect a relaxed but scheduled day. Winery appointments control the pace, and the itinerary can change depending on availability. That is normal for a vineyard tour, but it means you should not book it expecting to choose every stop or linger as long as you wish.

Emiliana Organic Vineyards and the alpaca welcome

The first stop is Emiliana Organic Vineyards, with about 1 hour and 15 minutes set aside. This is a good opening stop because it presents wine production in a clear, approachable way, without making the visit feel like a lecture.

The visit includes three wines:

• Chardonnay with a pairing
• Carmenere with a pairing
• Premium blend with a pairing

The pairings help you notice how food changes the taste of a wine. That is useful if you are still learning the difference between Chilean varieties, and it gives the tasting a more social rhythm than a series of small glasses on their own.

The alpacas are an unexpected bonus. You can interact with them during the visit, which gives Emiliana a lighter, more memorable character. Families and people who enjoy the setting as much as the wine will likely appreciate this stop. It also makes the first hour feel less formal than a grand tasting room.

Several guides have been praised for explaining the winery before the tasting begins, and Emiliana is often singled out as a favorite. Coyam, a blend associated with Emiliana, has also received particular praise, although it is not among the three wines specifically listed for every departure. Wine selections can vary, so ask your host what is being poured that day.

The drawback is that the tour starts with only a short window. If you want a long walk through the grounds or a detailed lesson on organic certification, there may not be enough free time. This is a tasting visit, not a full agricultural tour.

Bodegas RE, clay jars, and a different way to make wine

Bodegas RE receives another 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is the most distinctive winery on the schedule because the visit goes below ground into the cellars, where you see oak barrels and clay jars used for wine.

The tasting features two blend wines:

• Chardonnoir
• Cabergnan

These names point to Bodegas RE’s playful approach to blending. The visit is less about ticking off familiar grape varieties and more about seeing how a small producer experiments with wine, vessels, and presentation.

A table with bread, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and olives accompanies the tasting. That is a modest detail, but it matters. You have something to eat between pours, and the simple flavors give you a way to compare the wines without turning lunch into the focus.

Bodegas RE is a strong choice for anyone who has already seen conventional vineyards and wants something more unusual. The clay jars and underground setting give the stop a sense of place that a polished tasting room cannot provide. Guides and winery staff explain the story behind the blends, which makes the unfamiliar names easier to remember.

The practical point is pacing. You are tasting only two wines here, so the value comes from the cellar visit and the production story as much as from the number of pours. If your priority is sampling the largest possible range of wine, another winery with more bottles might suit you better. If you enjoy process, design, and character, this may be the most rewarding stop.

Casas del Bosque brings four wines to the table

The third tasting is at Vina Casas del Bosque, with about 45 minutes scheduled. This is a shorter, more focused session than the first two.

The selection includes:

• Collection Sauvignon Blanc
• Gran Reserva Chardonnay
• Gran Reserva Carmenere
• Pequeñas Syrah

The guided tasting concentrates on aromas and attributes. That makes it a useful comparison with Emiliana and Bodegas RE. Instead of focusing on alpacas or clay vessels, Casas del Bosque brings the attention back to the glass.

The winery is also the setting for lunch, so you have a chance to see more of the property around the tasting and restaurant stop. The grounds, gardens, and vineyard views are part of the appeal. Many people find that the three wineries feel genuinely different, which keeps the day from becoming a blur of identical tasting rooms.

The 45-minute tasting is efficient, but it can feel brief if you want time to browse, take photographs, and ask detailed questions about all four wines. Still, after two earlier visits, the shorter session helps keep the long day moving.

Tanino Restaurant, the reason to budget extra

Tanino is located at Casas del Bosque and allows about two hours for lunch. The meal is at your own expense, so the $79 tour price is not the final cost of the day.

The restaurant works with the winery’s winemaking team to match its menu with the wines. The food is described as modern cuisine built around fresh ingredients and local products, with fish and seafood, meats, pasta, and different textures on the plate. The setting includes gardens and vineyard views, giving lunch a proper pause rather than a quick stop at a roadside café.

Tanino has been recognized among the world’s top vineyard restaurants, and the meal is frequently praised as one of the strongest parts of the day. Some diners have especially enjoyed the wine pairings and the quality of the food. The restaurant also offers an Atrévete concept, meaning dare, for people interested in less traditional combinations.

Service is not always as smooth as the food. One meal had a delayed main course, and another account described the wait staff as slow and inconsistent despite a very good meal. That is worth keeping in mind if you have a strict evening plan in Santiago. Two hours is a sensible allowance, but restaurant timing can vary.

You should also check the menu and prices before ordering if you are watching your budget. Lunch is not included, and Tanino is positioned as an upscale restaurant rather than a casual winery café. For many people, that meal is part of the point of the excursion. For others, it may make the total cost feel higher than expected.

Is $79 good value?

For a 10-hour outing, $79 is a fair price if you want a simple, organized day. It covers hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, a professional local guide, entry to the three tasting visits, and the services of a driver. You also avoid the cost and risk of hiring transport between wineries.

The price is less compelling if you choose only one tasting and do not plan to spend much at Tanino. The trip is built around wine, so the three-tasting option usually makes more sense for people who want the full experience. Remember that the exact tasting arrangement can depend on what you select at booking.

The small-group format adds value. A maximum of 15 people is manageable, and some departures have had only five or seven people. That gives you more room to hear the guide, ask questions, and move between the vehicle and tasting rooms without the slow shuffle of a large coach.

There is one poor fit to consider. If you prefer Maipo Valley because it is closer to Santiago, Casablanca may feel like too much time in transit. Casablanca is the better choice when you want a cooler valley associated with the coast and a full day away from the city. It is not the best choice for a short half-day wine outing.

What the best guides add

The guide can shape the whole day. Alvaro has been praised for humor, organization, and handling a trilingual group. Samantha has been praised for explaining Chilean history, culture, local traditions, and each wine before the group enters a winery. Benjamin has also been singled out for clear explanations in both English and Spanish.

Those details matter because the tastings themselves are led by winery staff, while the guide connects the stops. A good guide tells you what makes Emiliana different from Bodegas RE, explains why the next tasting is worth your attention, and keeps the schedule from feeling rushed.

The driver matters, too. Juan, Angelo, Alejandro, Gregorio, and other drivers have received praise for punctuality, comfort, and safe driving. The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is important on a full day in the valley.

The tour can operate with a multilingual guide, but you should be ready for explanations in more than one language. That may lengthen some introductions, though it also makes the experience usable for mixed-language groups.

Practical advice before you book

Book ahead if your dates are fixed. The experience is commonly reserved about a month in advance, with an average booking lead time of 31 days.

Wear comfortable shoes. You will move through vineyard grounds and underground cellars, and you may want to walk around the properties between scheduled activities. Bring a camera, but keep the day’s pace in mind.

Eat a light breakfast before pickup. You have wine and pairings at the first two stops, but lunch comes later, and the schedule is not designed around a large morning meal.

Bring a card or cash for lunch, though the available payment method is not specified. Because the restaurant is a major part of the afternoon, check the menu price if you need to control spending.

The legal drinking age for the tour is 18. Most people can participate, but the provided information does not give a detailed accessibility assessment, so ask the operator about mobility needs before booking.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can also lead to a new date, an alternative experience, or a full refund.

Who should choose this Casablanca Valley day?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Santiago and want several winery styles without arranging transport. It suits couples, small groups, and families with adults who can legally taste wine. It is also a good first introduction to Casablanca Valley because the stops are not carbon copies of one another.

Wine enthusiasts will enjoy the contrast between Emiliana’s organic focus, Bodegas RE’s clay jars and blends, and Casas del Bosque’s guided aroma tasting. Food lovers have a strong reason to come too, provided they budget separately for Tanino.

I would hesitate if you dislike long day trips, want a cheap lunch, or prefer a single winery visit with lots of free time. I would also compare it with a Maipo Valley tour if staying close to Santiago is more important than visiting Casablanca.

Final decision: should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a well-organized, small-group day with three varied tastings and a vineyard restaurant lunch. The standout strengths are the hotel transport, strong guides, comfortable pacing, and the contrast between the wineries. Bodegas RE is the most unusual visit, Emiliana is the friendliest opening, and Tanino gives the day a fitting finish.

Before paying, confirm the pickup time, select one or three tastings carefully, and allow extra money for lunch. If you accept the long schedule and restaurant cost, this is a solid-value way to see Casablanca Valley without driving after drinking.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours, including transportation from Santiago, winery visits, lunch, and the return to your hotel.

What time does pickup begin?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. The tour description also refers to an 8:30 a.m. hotel pickup, so confirm your exact pickup time when booking.

How many wineries does the tour visit?

You visit three wineries for tastings: Emiliana Organic Vineyards, Bodegas RE, and Vina Casas del Bosque. Lunch takes place at Tanino Restaurant, which is also at Casas del Bosque, making four named winery stops or venues in the day.

Are the wine tastings included?

Entry and tasting visits at Emiliana, Bodegas RE, and Casas del Bosque are included. You can choose to prepay for one tasting or three tastings, depending on your interests.

Is lunch included in the $79 price?

No. Lunch at Tanino Restaurant is not included, so you pay for your meal separately.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

Yes. Transportation includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Santiago, using an air-conditioned vehicle.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people. Some departures may be smaller, and groups of five or seven have been reported.

Can people under 18 join the tastings?

The minimum drinking age is 18. The tour can operate with an English or Spanish guide, or a multilingual guide.