Wine Origins Program

Grand Route and program details

This Route and great history tells and teaches the very origins of viticulture in the Southern Cone that go back to 1545, when Pedro de Valdivia wrote to Emperor Carlos V from La Serena, requesting wine to celebrate mass. Later the vines would arrive by boat from Peru to Coquimbo Bay, already in 1549 when La Serena, the oldest city on the Chilean coast, was refounded by Francisco de Aguirre, the first vineyards in Chile were planted, obtaining early harvests and fermentations in 1551. This seasoned conqueror surprised by the natural and mineral wealth of his parcels in Coquimbo, La Serena, Atacama, Andacollo and Paihuano in the Elqui Valley, together with his important achievements, decides to cross the Andes to find an outlet to the Atlantic and connect with Europe for which he established in 1553 a place of settlement, rest and supply for future travelers who came from La Serena and the Pacific, thus founding the oldest city in Argentina: Santiago del Estero. After the creation of this pioneer bi-oceanic route that would allow the flow and the constant shipment of resources between both regions and captaincies, the clergyman Juan Cedron departed in 1556 from La Serena with the first stakes of vines to Santiago del Estero in order to officiate the mass giving rise to Argentine viticulture. Relive the Route started by Francisco de Aguirre and the clergyman Juan Cedrón with Turismo TEMBETA.

Day 1

• Conquistadors and Corsairs Route: Conquest Camps and tour of the city of La Serena and its monuments, Coquimbo, Guayacan, Totoralillo, Tongoy and Andacollo, where the oldest virgin in South America appears.
• Night in La Serena.

Day 2

• Route to the Great Elqui Valley: Brujas del Molle Cave, Viña Falernia wine tasting, El Tambo Inca, Cooperativa Pisquera Pisco Museum and lunch at Cocinas Solares de Villaseca.
• Free time in the city of Vicuña and visit the Gabriela Mistral Museum, Diaguitas town and Guayacan brewery.
• Landscapes commissioned by Francisco de Aguirre, visit to the Cavas del Valle winery and tour of the small town of Montegrandes.
• Arrival to Pisco Elqui and rest.
• Astronomical Tour and night in Pisco Elqui.

Day 3

• Horseback riding to the small town of Pisco Elqui and ascent to Valle del Alcohuaz, tasting of the Viñedos de Alcohuaz winery.
• Traditional lunch at Ranchito de Don Rene.
• Visit Gabriela Mistral School House Museum.
• Exploration Valle de Cochiguaz, visit Piedra del Guanaco and Lama Temple.

Day 4

• Departure from the Elqui Valley and travel to Argentina, ascent to Paso Aguas Negras.
• Views of La Laguna Reservoir and ancient glaciers on the Chile-Argentina border 4800 meters above sea level.
• Lunch en route.
• San Juan and tasting visit at the Viña Graffigna Museum (Optional: Valle Fertil and educational farm wine tasting).
• Night in San Juan or Finca in Valle Fertil.

Day 5

• Visit Chigualasto Provincial Park / Talampaya.
• Lunch en route.
• Arrival in Chilecito, tasting at Bodega La Riojana and visit the Mill Museum.
• Night at Hotel del Vino Chañarmuyo and tasting.

Day 6

• Visit Altos de Tinogasta Winery and tasting.
• Home Adobe Route: Virgen de Andacollo Chapel and Mayorazgo de Anillaco.
• Night in Fiambala.

Day 7

• Visit Tizac Wines Cabernet de los Andes Organic Winery and tasting.
• Adobe Route II: Visit the Ruins of Watungasta and the captaincy of arms and centuries-old churches.
• Arrival in San Fernando de Catamarca and visit the lost town of La Quebrada.

Day 8

• Departure from Catamarca and arrival in Santiago del Estero, rest in Termas de Rio Hondo.

Day 9

• Visit the Automobile Museum and subsequent tasting and show of the wine procession at Bodega Finca Maria del Pilar.
• End of the program.