Go With The Wind, Yaquil Valley

Biking Through the Swinging Roads of Yaquil Valley
Santa Cruz Town, MontGras & Maquis Winery

We will pick you up in the morning from your hotel and take you to the starting point at Hotel El Molino. Once there, you will receive a brief introduction to the tour protocols before grabbing your bike and beginning the ride through the Yaquil area.

Our journey begins at “La Mina”, located 5 kilometers away. The history of the Rincón de Yaquil Mine dates back to its development as a major gold mine during the 18th century. According to local legend, the devil himself makes the mine disappear and reappear—taking people’s lives away in the process.

We will then pass by “Viña Casa Verdi”, located 9 kilometers away. This family-owned winery with Italian roots produces boutique wines of exceptional quality. Known for its distinctive terroir, it is ideal for cultivating some of the region’s finest red grape varieties, including Cabernet Franc, Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Syrah, used to craft their renowned wines.

Around 14 kilometers into the route, we’ll reach the main square of Yaquil. This region was struck by the massive 8.8 MW earthquake in 2010, which completely destroyed the Sagrado Corazón de Yaquil Church. The local community dedicated ten years to rebuilding it to its original form.

After this cultural visit, and on our way to the first winery, we will stop by a local family home. There, you will meet a family who raises a unique breed of chicken that produces blue eggs — the Collonca, an endemic species native to South America. This visit offers a special opportunity to share in their daily life and traditions.

Next, about 19 kilometers into the journey, we’ll arrive at our first winery: MontGras. This prestigious vineyard is celebrated for its professional craftsmanship and refined local gastronomy. Here, we’ll enjoy a personalized lunch in the colonial-style interior courtyard, followed by time to relax and take in the beautiful landscape.

Our second winery visit will be at Maquis Winery, renowned for its impressive sustainability project. The winery focuses on the eco-conscious production of fine wines, particularly Cabernet Franc and Carménère. The visit concludes with a private premium tasting led by an expert sommelier.

Before finishing our adventure, we’ll make one last stop to enjoy a traditional Chilean tortilla — a large bread baked in adobe ovens — and discover how it differs from the Mexican version.

Afterwards, you can choose to return to Apalta Valley by bike, enjoying an additional 24 km of scenic landscapes, or be driven back to your hotel.