Half day Santa Rita and Undurraga Winery Tasting Tour in Santiago

Two Maipo Valley wineries, one full day. This Santiago wine tour pairs the polished Viña Santa Rita with historic Viña Undurraga, giving you two different views of Chilean wine without arranging cars, routes, or tastings yourself. I especially like the contrast between Santa Rita’s cellar stories and museum option, and Undurraga’s compact visit through vineyards, grape gardens, and underground cellars. The tastings also include Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, not just basic pours.

The main thing to consider is the eight-hour schedule. This is sold as a half-day-style winery experience, but the full outing takes most of your day once transport and both estates are included. Lunch is not provided, and the published timing for the two stops is not perfectly clear, so you should book it for the wineries rather than for a quick morning activity.

Key points at a glance

• Two Maipo Valley estates in one outing: Visit Santa Rita in the morning, then continue to Viña Undurraga in Talagante.
• Three wines at Santa Rita: The tasting includes two Reserva wines and one Gran Reserva wine.
• A different tasting at Undurraga: Sample white and red varieties, then receive another vineyard glass as a keepsake.
• Hotel pickup is included: Pickup and return are offered from most hotels in Providencia, Las Condes, Vitacura, and central Santiago.
• Small enough to stay manageable: The group limit is 25 people, with an expert wine guide leading the visits.
• Plan around lunch: Food is not included, and the tour does not list other unspecified activities as part of the price.

Why visit two wineries near Santiago?

Santiago makes a practical base for exploring Chile’s wine country. The Maipo Valley is close enough for a day trip, and this tour removes the need to navigate between estates or decide who will drive after a tasting. For a first wine outing in Chile, that convenience has real value.

The two stops are not interchangeable. Santa Rita offers a more story-focused visit, with its varietal garden, vineyards, winemaking areas, storage spaces, and the option to see the Andean Museum of the Claro Vial Foundation. Undurraga puts more emphasis on the vineyard setting, grape varieties, and underground cellars.

That pairing gives you useful comparison. You can pay attention to how each winery presents its wines, buildings, cellars, and traditions. The day is not simply three tastings in a row. It is two guided introductions to Chilean wine production, each with its own tone.

At $135 per person, the cost is not low for a Santiago excursion. Still, transportation, a guide, visits at two wineries, tastings, and vineyard gifts are included. If you would otherwise need a private driver or separate transfers, the price becomes easier to justify. If you mainly want to taste a few wines and return quickly to Santiago, a single winery visit may offer better value.

Morning at Santa Rita and the story of the 120 Patriots

The day begins with hotel pickup at around 9:00 a.m. The exact pickup applies to most hotels in the central districts and the main hotel zones of Santiago. If your accommodation falls outside the stated urban area, the operator will provide a nearby meeting point instead.

Santa Rita is introduced through its Classic Tour. The visit starts in the varietal garden and continues into the vineyards, giving you a basic picture of the grapes before the guide explains how wine is made and stored. That order works well because you see the source first, then follow the process into the winery.

A central part of the tour is the story of the Winery of the 120 Patriots. The supplied information does not give every detail of that account, so you should expect the guide to provide the local narrative during the visit rather than treat it as a self-guided museum stop. This is one reason the guide matters here. You are not just walking past barrels and buildings without context.

The visit also covers wine storage and the different barrels used for aging. That detail is worth listening for. The tasting experience becomes more useful when you understand why wines are labeled Reserva or Gran Reserva and how storage affects what reaches your glass.

The tasting at Santa Rita includes three wines: two Reserva selections and one Gran Reserva. The specific labels are not listed, so the exact lineup can change. You should expect a guided introduction to the wines rather than a free-form tasting menu.

Your Santa Rita visit ends with a carved wine glass as a gift. That is a more distinctive keepsake than a generic souvenir, and it gives the first stop a pleasant finishing touch. You can also add a visit to the Andean Museum of the Claro Vial Foundation. The museum is described as something you can complement the winery visit with, so confirm the available time and whether it fits the day’s schedule before counting on it as a full part of the tour.

What makes Santa Rita worth your time?

Santa Rita is the stronger stop if you enjoy stories, cellar details, and a more structured presentation. The guide’s explanation of younger wines, older wines, Reserve and Gran Reserve categories, and barrels has been singled out as a highlight of the experience.

I would pay close attention during this section if you are new to Chilean wine. The terms on the label can seem vague until someone explains how the winery uses them. A clear tasting guide can help you notice differences in age, style, and storage instead of simply deciding which glass tastes sweetest or strongest.

The possible drawback is time. The Santa Rita portion is described as a four-hour stop in the supplied schedule, while the full tour is also listed at about eight hours and Undurraga’s guided tour is separately described as lasting one hour and fifteen minutes. The published timing appears broad rather than exact. Ask your provider how much time is set aside for the guided visit, tasting, museum option, and transfer before booking other plans that evening.

Viña Undurraga: vineyards, grape gardens, and cellars

The second winery is Viña Undurraga, located in Talagante in the Maipo Valley, about 34 kilometers from Santiago. It is presented as one of Chile’s oldest vineyards and gives you a different setting from Santa Rita.

The guided visit lasts about one hour and fifteen minutes. It begins with a walk through the vineyards, followed by an explanation of Undurraga’s history and plantings. You then visit a garden showing different grape types, which is useful if you want to connect the names of grape varieties with the actual vines.

The route continues into the underground cellars. This part adds physical variety to the tour. Instead of spending the whole visit outdoors or around tasting tables, you move through the vineyard, grape garden, and cellar areas in sequence.

The tasting follows the tour and includes white and red wine varieties. The exact number and labels are not specified, so do not book this expecting a fixed list of bottles. The focus is on sampling a range of styles and learning how the wines differ.

Undurraga also provides a vineyard glass as a gift. Since Santa Rita includes a carved glass as well, you finish the day with two winery keepsakes. If you pack carefully, these are easy reminders of the outing, but you should still protect them during the return journey.

Comparing the two tastings

The Santa Rita tasting is more clearly defined: two Reserva wines and one Gran Reserva. Undurraga offers white and red varieties, but the information does not provide a set number. That makes Santa Rita the more predictable tasting, while Undurraga may offer broader color and variety comparisons.

I like the progression. Santa Rita gives you a firm introduction to wine categories and barrel storage. Undurraga then lets you compare white and red wines in a second winery setting. You can ask the guide how the wines differ and which grapes or storage methods shape the flavors.

Do not expect an advanced wine course. This is an introductory tour designed to combine sightseeing with tasting. The guides are praised for clear explanations and strong knowledge of the wines and barrels, so the day should suit curious beginners more than serious collectors seeking technical analysis.

Alcoholic drinks are provided only to people aged 18 or older. The minimum drinking age is also listed as 18. If someone in your group does not drink, the tour description does not state what alternative tasting arrangements are available, so ask before reserving.

Transport, group size, and the long day factor

Pickup and return transportation are included from most hotels in Providencia, Las Condes, Vitacura, and Santiago de Chile. That is a major advantage in a wine region where independent transport can be awkward. You can focus on the scenery and tastings without putting one person in charge of driving.

The group limit is 25 people. That is not a private tour, but it is smaller than a large coach group and should keep the guided walks reasonably organized. The guide leads both winery visits, so your experience may depend partly on how well the group keeps to the schedule.

The start time is 9:00 a.m., and the tour lasts approximately eight hours. The morning departure means you should keep the rest of the day light. I would not schedule a fixed evening show, restaurant reservation, or airport transfer immediately after the stated return time.

Because lunch is not included, plan for the gap between winery visits. The tour information does not specify a restaurant stop or meal break. You can ask the provider whether there is time to buy food during the day, but do not assume lunch is part of the package.

Is $135 a fair price?

The value depends on how you would arrange the day yourself. The fee covers hotel transportation, an expert wine guide, guided vineyard visits, tastings, and at least one vineyard gift. In practice, you are paying for coordination as much as wine.

The two-estate format is useful for couples or small groups who want variety but do not want to rent a car. It also helps first-time visitors avoid the hassle of comparing winery reservations and transport options. The two tastings and two glasses add tangible value, though the exact wine selection at Undurraga is not fixed in the details provided.

The price is harder to justify if you are mainly interested in one particular winery, want a long leisurely meal, or prefer to choose every bottle yourself. Lunch is extra, and other activities are not included. For a relaxed day with only one estate, a different tour may suit you better.

Argentinian visitors should pay special attention to the payment note. The price shown in pesos does not include taxes for Argentinians or Argentine payment methods, and the charge is processed through foreign websites that invoice in US dollars. Check the final amount before paying.

Who should book this winery tour?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Santiago and want a simple introduction to Maipo Valley wine. It fits couples, friends, and first-time wine visitors who value hotel pickup and a guide over complete independence.

It is also a good choice if you want to compare two established wineries in one day. Santa Rita brings the 120 Patriots story, storage areas, Reserva and Gran Reserva tasting, and museum option. Undurraga adds a vineyard walk, grape garden, underground cellars, and white and red tastings.

You may want another plan if you dislike group tours, need a guaranteed lunch, or have limited time in Santiago. The group can reach 25 people, the day runs about eight hours, and the exact timing of the two winery visits needs clarification.

The experience is offered in English, which makes it practical for English-speaking visitors. Confirmation is received at booking, and most people can participate according to the supplied information. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A late cancellation or late change is not refunded, and the operator may offer a new date or full refund if the minimum group size is not met.

Final verdict: a useful two-winery introduction

Book this tour if you want two respected Maipo Valley wineries, included transport, guided tastings, and a full day arranged for you. Santa Rita is likely to be the more memorable stop for its wine categories, barrel explanations, and 120 Patriots story, while Undurraga adds variety with its grape garden and underground cellars.

Before you pay, confirm the pickup point, the lunch plan, and the precise timing of each stop. If those details work for your schedule, $135 buys a convenient and varied wine day from Santiago. If you want a shorter visit or a meal-centered outing, choose a single winery instead.

FAQ

What is the start time?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Which wineries are visited?

You visit Viña Santa Rita and Viña Undurraga in the Maipo Valley area.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return are offered from most hotels in Providencia, Las Condes, Vitacura, and Santiago de Chile. If your accommodation is outside the service radius, you will be given a nearby meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How many wines are tasted?

At Santa Rita, the tasting includes two Reserva wines and one Gran Reserva wine. Undurraga includes tastings of white and red wine varieties, but the exact number is not specified.

What age must participants be to drink?

The minimum drinking age is 18. Alcoholic drinks are provided only to people aged 18 or older.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted or refunded. If the minimum number of participants is not reached and the tour is canceled, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.