Private Maipo Valley Bike & Wine Tour from Santiago

Summary

Maipo Valley Cycling and Wine Tasting Day Trip

If you want to explore Chilean wine country by bike without crowds or stress, this private Maipo Valley tour is for you. Cycle easy routes through Isla de Maipo, visit top wineries like Undurraga, try your hand at aroma challenges, and enjoy homemade food in a riverside villa—all with local guides who know every shortcut and story.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Isla de Maipo feels cool and fresh, with a hint of eucalyptus as we start pedaling past sleepy houses and rows of vines. Our guide, Felipe, points out the old irrigation ditches—he says they’ve been here since colonial times. The bike route’s easy, mostly flat, so you don’t need to be an athlete to keep up. We pass by small fruit stands and hear the distant hum of tractors working the fields. Every so often, we stop to snap photos or just watch the river glinting through the poplars.

We roll into De Martino’s vineyard—Santa Inés—with its neat rows of grapes stretching toward the Andes. Felipe explains how each grape variety is planted for sun and wind; I’d never noticed how different the leaves look until he showed us up close. Inside their shop, there’s a faint smell of oak barrels and fresh bread from a nearby bakery drifting in. After tasting a few sips (the carménère stands out), we head back on our bikes, legs feeling just right—not tired yet.

Midday brings us to Santa Ema’s sensory room—a quirky stop where you actually try to guess wine aromas from little jars. I got “green pepper” wrong (it was blackcurrant), but it’s fun to laugh about it with the group. By now, the sun’s warm but not too hot; perfect for riding under the shade of old walnut trees lining the road.

Lunch is served at a villa tucked beside the Maipo River. There’s homemade pebre on crusty bread, grilled chicken with avocado salad, and if it’s chilly outside, they light a fire inside. You can wander through their gardens or just sit by the pond watching ducks paddle around—honestly feels like visiting someone’s country home rather than a restaurant.

The last stop is Undurraga Winery—a real highlight if you’re into history or just love good wine. Their cellars are cool and echoey; you can smell damp earth mixed with fermenting grapes. Our host shares stories about Chilean winemaking that you won’t find in guidebooks (ask about their Mapuche roots). Tasting three reserva wines here feels special—especially when they hand you a glass as a keepsake before heading back to Santiago.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Maipo Valley Bike Tour and Wine Tasting

• Bike tour through Isla de Maipo vineyards
• Visit De Martino winery and vineyard
• Stop at Santa Ema wine shop sensory room
• Visit Santa Ema wine shop
• Tour and tasting at Undurraga winery

Top questions

Is this bike tour suitable for beginners?

Yes! The route is mostly flat and relaxed—you don’t need to be super fit or have cycling experience. Just bring comfy clothes and an open mind.

What kind of food is served for lunch?

You’ll get traditional Chilean dishes—think grilled meats or chicken, salads (lots of avocado), homemade bread with pebre salsa. Vegetarian options are available if you let us know ahead of time.

Can children join this tour?

Kids can come along as long as they're accompanied by an adult. Just note: only those 18+ can take part in wine tastings.

Will someone guide us during the winery visits?

Absolutely! Local guides lead both the cycling part and each winery visit—they share stories about winemaking history and answer any questions along the way.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup/drop-off in Santiago, all bikes/helmets, bottled water and snacks for your ride, guided visits at each winery (including tastings), plus a full lunch at a riverside villa. All tours are led by friendly local guides who speak several languages—and yes, you'll get a souvenir wine glass at Undurraga!