A famous name, plus a very theatrical cellar story. This Concha y Toro tour from Santiago mixes easy transport with a walk through the winery grounds, vineyard views toward Pirque, and the infamous Cassillero del Diablo experience. I really like how the day is set up to feel relaxed, not stressful, thanks to the round-trip hotel transfer and a structured route through the wine center and cellars. One thing to keep in mind: the timing can be sensitive to Santiago traffic, and that can affect how much of the experience you get in your preferred language.

What I like most is the sense of place. You cruise into the Maipo Valley area in an air-conditioned minivan, then step into Concha y Toro’s 22-hectare centennial park feel—gardens, views, and history all in one flow. The cellar stops are also a big win for non-wine people: the story is built to be understandable, even if you’re not a wine nerd yet.

My only caution is about expectations on wine depth and food. Depending on the option you choose, you’ll taste a small set of wines (and the cheese pairing is an add-on), so if you’re craving a long, heavy pour-fest or a full meal, you’ll want to plan for that.

Quick hits before you go

• Maipo Valley views on the drive, plus vineyard walking time at Pirque
• Cassillero del Diablo sensory-style experience before you head underground
• Cellar of the Devil with a real focus on the cellar legend
• Guided tasting that can be two or up to four wines if you add cheese
• Small van group (max 8), then you join a bigger group at the winery
• Gift wine glass included, so you leave with a souvenir that actually gets used

The Santiago to Concha y Toro drive: smooth, scenic, and time-critical

The day starts with 8:00 am pickup from your Santiago hotel (as long as your hotel is within the pickup/drop-off zone). You head south in an air-conditioned minivan for about a 30-minute drive out to the Concha y Toro area. The bonus here is that you don’t just sit in a bus seat: you get a steady view of the countryside and the Maipo Valley as you roll in.

This is a practical setup if you’re staying in the city and don’t want to deal with logistics or parking. It also keeps the day from turning into a jigsaw puzzle of taxis, timing, and trying to find the right entrance.

The real consideration: Santiago traffic can be unpredictable. Some schedules are tight, and if you arrive later than planned, you may end up with a shorter or different-format winery visit, and language options can change. If you’re picky about getting the experience in English, prioritize an early pickup and give yourself a little buffer in your mindset.

Walking the Concha y Toro grounds and centennial park

Once you arrive, you enter through the winery’s grand entrance and start with the feel of the place. The tour route includes the 22-hectare centennial park, with standout sights like the historic Don Melchor House. Even if you’ve never toured a winery before, this section helps you get your bearings fast: you’re not thrown directly into a production lecture. You’re placed in the setting first.

From there, you move into garden areas (often called the Casona gardens in the tour description) and get time to take in the grounds. One theme keeps repeating: this winery is not only about wine. It’s about atmosphere, architecture, and a guided storyline that makes the history easy to follow.

If the weather is rough, pay attention. The tour is described as requiring good weather, and the grounds involve walking through areas that may get wet. Bring a light rain layer or poncho if your trip has a chance of drizzle—especially if you don’t love walking around in cold damp clothes. The winery grounds are beautiful, but rain conditions can make the outdoor parts less comfortable.

The Devil story: Cassillero del Diablo and why it works

Concha y Toro’s famous attraction is the Cassillero del Diablo Sensory Experience. The key word in how this tour is built is sensory: you’re guided through the concept of terroir and winemaking process, and then the story shifts into something more theatrical and memorable than a typical cellar lecture.

This is where the tour earns its “legendary winery” status. The Devil theme isn’t just a marketing label. It’s a way to help you remember what matters about the wines: the environment, the cultivation, and the cellar role in aging. If you’re new to wine, this section gives you a fast education without making you feel like you’re taking a class.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes a good story, this is also where the guides can really land. In prior visits, guides like Paulo, Bruno, and Marco were praised for being funny and engaging while still teaching. You shouldn’t expect the exact same personality every day, but the overall format is designed for people who want both information and entertainment.

Underground stops: the Cellar of the Devil and aging cellars

After Cassillero del Diablo, the tour heads into the underground world. You descend into the Cellar of the Devil, where the legend centers on an eccentric former owner who hid and protected wine there from intruders. This part is usually darker, quieter, and more dramatic than the garden section above. That contrast helps the day feel complete.

Then you continue into aging and history-focused areas. The modern tour description includes an Alto Aging Cellar for premium wines, plus a gallery that highlights moments from Concha y Toro’s history. These stops are important because they shift you from the story (Devil legend) to the craft (aging and production). Even if the first half made you curious, this is the portion that turns curiosity into understanding.

One more practical note: cellar visits can mean cool temperatures and low light. If you’re sensitive to cold, bring a layer you can tolerate for a bit underground.

Viewpoints, Pirque vineyards, and the Varietal Garden

The tour includes time at viewpoints and vineyard areas connected to Pirque. You admire views from the Viewpoint, then explore sections like the Varietal Garden. This is where you get a sense of how the winery’s plantings relate to the wines you’re about to taste.

I like this segment because it keeps things grounded. You’re not tasting wine in a vacuum. You’ve walked through areas that connect the grapes to the place, and that makes the tasting feel more meaningful.

If you want photos, this is your best bet. The garden and viewpoint portions give you angles that don’t look like a standard indoor tour. If you’re traveling with someone who prefers scenery over tasting, this part is also a good compromise.

Wine tasting: what you’ll likely sample (and how add-ons change it)

Wine tasting is one of the main reasons to do this tour, but the exact “how many wines” depends on the package you pick. The tour description highlights varietals such as Carmenère and Sauvignon Blanc, and tastings can include a base set (often two flagship wines) with the option to increase to four when you add the wine-and-cheese pairing.

The newer experience route (available from May 15, 2025) also describes a guided tasting of four wines as part of the experience. In plain terms: if you’re choosing an add-on, you can expect more samples, and the day is built to turn tasting into a longer finish rather than a quick sip-and-go.

A smart way to think about value: you’re paying for convenience (pickup/transport), a guided storyline through the most famous winery features, and a guided tasting that helps you connect what you taste to where those grapes come from. If you only want one or two sips, you might feel this tour is priced more for the full experience than for the wine alone.

Also, food is where you should read carefully before you go. The tour description says food and drinks are not included unless specified. If you add the cheese pairing option, you’ll get a gourmet cheese plate, which can make the tasting more satisfying and help you pace your pours.

The pacing: small-van comfort, bigger-group flow inside

Here’s the structure that many people end up liking: your transport is small and comfortable, but once you arrive, the winery experience can become a bigger-group event.

You start with a minivan that has a maximum of 8 people. At the winery, you join a larger group of around 20–30 people. That means the ride can feel personal, but the in-winery pacing is closer to a classic group tour.

Some visitors have noted that parts of the day can feel shorter than expected, especially if timing slips due to traffic. That’s another reason to show up on time for pickup and try not to plan another tight activity immediately before or after.

In terms of length, the full tour is listed as about 5 to 6 hours. Within that, the winery experience includes multiple stops and tastings, plus time at the wine center and store area.

What to do at the end: Plaza Concha y Toro and optional meals

The experience wraps around Plaza Concha y Toro, where you can explore the Wine Center Store. There are also options mentioned for dining or further tastings, such as eating at Restaurant Bodega 1883 or choosing a tasting at La Gran Barra.

This matters because it gives you control over how you want to finish. If you added cheese to your tasting, you might prefer to keep it light at the end. If you skipped the food pairing, the plaza options can help you turn the day into a more complete outing instead of just wine and walking.

Then you head back to your hotel for drop-off. The return ride is part of why this is a good “no-stress” day: you don’t need to navigate back through Santiago traffic yourself.

Price and value: is $128 a good deal?

At $128 per person, this tour sits in the middle of the winery-tour spectrum—similar pricing to other guided day trips from Santiago that bundle transport plus a guided visit.

Here’s how I’d judge the value:

• If you want hotel pickup/drop-off, a guided storyline, and a tasting that actually teaches you what you’re drinking, you’ll likely feel you got your money’s worth.
• If you’re thinking of this as mostly a ride to a winery, you may feel underwhelmed. Transport is convenient, but the winery portion can vary in length depending on how the day runs.

A useful way to avoid disappointment is to match the package to your taste goals:

• If you’re excited by the Devil story and want a guided tasting plus some scenery, the base tour can work.
• If you enjoy pairing flavors and want more wine samples without starting from scratch, the wine-and-cheese option tends to be the better “I’m here, let’s do this” move.

Also, the tour includes a gift wine glass, which is a small touch but a real souvenir value in the same category as a tote or tasting card you’d otherwise buy.

Weather and comfort: pack for gardens, cellars, and possible rain

This tour depends on decent weather. If weather turns poor, the experience may be canceled and you’ll either be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s a fair setup because the grounds involve walking and outdoor time.

Comfort tips that matter here:

• Wear shoes you don’t mind getting damp if it rains.
• Bring a light layer for cellar temperatures.
• If you’re sensitive to cold, pack something you can put on and take off fast.

If it’s cold and wet, the experience can still be enjoyable, but you’ll want to be ready for less-than-ideal outdoor conditions.

Should you book Concha y Toro from Santiago?

I’d book this tour if:

• You want a guided, story-driven winery visit instead of a self-guided wander.
• You like the idea of tasting Carmenère and Sauvignon Blanc (plus other featured wines) with context.
• You prefer hotel pickup and don’t want to manage transport after a wine day.
• You’re okay joining a larger group inside the winery once you arrive.

I might skip or rethink it if:

• You need a long, food-heavy meal included as part of the price.
• You’re aiming for a slow, custom-paced private tour where you can linger in each spot.
• Your schedule is tight and you can’t absorb delays from Santiago traffic.

If you do book, here’s the smart move: go early and arrive ready to walk. Choose the cheese option if you want more than a basic tasting finish. And bring a layer—Concha y Toro’s cellars and the Pirque-area weather can catch you off guard.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the Concha y Toro winery experience?

It’s listed as 5 to 6 hours total, with the winery portion taking around 2 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Included are hotel pickup and drop-off, a local guide, wine tasting, and a gift wine glass.

How many wines will I taste?

The tour includes wine tasting, and the tasting format can vary by option. The description notes an extended session where you may taste two flagship wines, and you can increase the tasting to four with the wine-and-cheese pairing option. The newer experience route also describes a guided tasting of four wines.

Is food included?

Food is not included unless specified. The cheese plate is part of the wine-and-cheese pairing option.

What’s the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18 years.

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