The Colchagua Valley is one of many cross-sectional valleys of central Chile, whose lands are crossed by the waters of Tinguiririca and right where the cities of San Fernando and Santa Cruz, two of the largest in the region, and some places of great tourist attractions such as Chimbarongo, Lolol or Pichilemu.

Colchagua, a Mapuche word that means "place where Huala nests" has rich traditions and native culture very interesting to know. Historically it was part of the Inca empire and is then given as a prize and Commit to Ines de Suarez, the only women in the first expedition of Pedro de Valdivia Conqueror as a reward for his bravery. Later it became the place chosen by the families of the oligarchy of Chile to build large mansions, some of which still stand.

These families in the late nineteenth century thanks to the wealth of mining in Chile introduced fine varieties of French origin, the main Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot and Malbec, which replaced the Spanish varieties, which produce quality wines .

Chile is the only country in the world wine has not submitted the plague called phylloxera, which devastated European vineyards. That is why in the Colchagua Valley plantations can be found more than a century old that produce world class Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Merlot and Malbec have given the prestige of this region, to the point that the year 2005 was awarded "Best Wine Region of the World" award for the first time in its history is given to a wine region in South America.

How to get there

Santa Cruz is the main point of the valley (191 km southwest of Santiago). From Rancagua must follow Route 5 south to San Fernando on the north entrance, cross O'Higgins Avenue and take the route I-50 (Wine Road) to the entrance to Santa Cruz for Paniahue. Buses leave from the terminal from the terminal Santiago and Rancagua.

Activities

In this valley the main landmark is the famous Colchagua Wine Route, which includes seventeen wineries producing red and white wines are internationally recognized for its excellent quality. There are several tours to visit the vineyards and taste wines. There are also hotels, restaurants, grocery stores typical, horseback riding and the Wine Train.

However, traditional Creole culture tourism plays a role equally important. Chimbarongo, for example, is a small town noted for its wicker handicrafts, which you can see from the road even small stands that are located next to it. Lolol, meanwhile, has the typical title or scenic area, one of the categories of the National Monument Council, through its efforts to maintain the colonial architecture of past centuries.

And if you know one of the best beaches for surfing, you can not miss Pichilemu, located on the coast of the region 40 km from Santa Cruz.

In Santa Cruz is the Museum of Colchagua was planned with the idea of ​​traveling the past history of the planet and the universal man, from our American reality thanks to the variety of collections that account.

Lircunlauta Manor House Museum is an old manor house built in the eighteenth century on land belonging to the estate Lircunlauta which is strongly linked to the history of San Fernando.

Finally there is the Astronomical Observatory "Cerro Shaman" which is installed in Lolol, Region VI, in the Vineyard Santa Cruz and 104 meters above sea level. It has excellent weather, low humidity and total lack of annoying lights, allowing you to provide observers see objects with great precision and sharpness of images.