Wine and cheese tasting in Chile: where to pair them in Casablanca Valley
Where to do a wine and cheese tasting in Chile's Casablanca Valley: which wineries and tours serve cheese, what each costs in 2026, Chilean pairings to try and how to book.
For a wine and cheese tasting near Santiago, go to Emiliana in the Casablanca Valley, about 80 km west of the city on Route 68. Its Gê Organic Tasting Tour (CLP 47,990 per person in October 2026) is the one tasting in the valley where the winery itself offers a cheese pairing, or organic chocolate if you prefer. Bodegas RE serves boards of bread, cheese and olives with some of its tastings, and Casas del Bosque turns the visit into a full lunch at Tanino. Not every tasting comes with cheese, so ask before you pay.
Without a car, the easiest cheese day is the Private Casablanca Tour: Emiliana, William Cole & Casa del Bosque: an 8-hour private day from Santiago, from $150 per person and rated 4.9/5 from 118 Viator reviews. At Emiliana you taste four wines with a board of cheese and chocolate for each person, then visit William Cole and stop for lunch at Casas del Bosque, which you pay for yourself.
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Private Casablanca Tour: Emiliana, William Cole & Casa del Bosque
- 4.9/5 (118 reviews)
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Operated by THE EMPIRE VASQUE TOUR
Includes Private round-trip transfer from Santiago Centro, Las Condes, Vitacura or Providencia · Tour and four-wine tasting at …
You'll choose your date and complete the booking on Viator. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Casablanca is a valley where the food gets as much attention as the wine. An hour or so west of Santiago, the highway gives way to rolling hills, vineyards and country restaurants. Cool air from the Pacific gives the wines lively acidity and fresh fruit, especially Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and those three styles are easy to match with cheese.
A tangy goat cheese makes a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc taste brighter. A creamy Brie-style cheese brings out the roundness of Chardonnay. A lightly chilled Pinot Noir goes well with mild, nutty cheeses. A good tasting lets you find these differences for yourself.
When you book, keep one thing in mind: many Casablanca wine tours include no cheese, and a winery lunch is not a guided pairing. Some wineries run food-and-wine tastings, others put out a small board with the wines, and many full-day tours pair several tastings with a restaurant stop you pay for separately. This guide covers which experiences serve cheese, what to check when booking and the Chilean pairings to try. For how tastings work in general and what each winery charges, see our Casablanca Valley wine tasting guide.
Where to find wine and cheese in Casablanca Valley
Emiliana is the clearest choice: its premium Gê tasting comes with a cheese or organic-chocolate pairing option, and the winery advertises it on its own visitor page. For a longer food-and-wine day, Bodegas RE and Casas del Bosque are the alternatives, though what you eat depends on the tasting or tour you book.
| Winery or tour | Best for | Food on offer | Booking advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emiliana | A guided wine and cheese pairing | Cheese or organic-chocolate pairing on the Gê tasting | Confirm the pairing when you book |
| Bodegas RE | Unusual wines with local flavors | Bread, cheese, olives and olive oil with selected tastings and tours | Check what your package includes |
| Casas del Bosque | A vineyard lunch | Restaurant meals at Tanino, Botánico and Casa Mirador | Reserve the restaurant separately |
| Viñamar | Sparkling wine | A cheese, charcuterie and dried-fruit board on the private sparkling tour ($210, 5.0/5 from 21 reviews) | Confirm food on other packages |
| Multi-winery day from Santiago | A full day with transport | Several tastings, a lunch stop usually at your own expense | Check which meals are extra |
Decide first which kind of food you want, a pairing, a premium tasting or a winery lunch, then compare tours. A four-winery itinerary is not automatically a better food day than one well-chosen tasting.
Wineries with wine and cheese tastings
1. Emiliana Organic Vineyards: a dedicated cheese pairing
If you want wine with cheese, and not just a tasting followed by lunch, put Emiliana first on your list. The winery sits beside Route 68 and farms organically and biodynamically; a visit covers the vineyard’s soils, climate, farming methods and the animals that help its biodiversity. Our Emiliana winery guide covers the whole visit.
Emiliana runs two main tours:
Organic Tasting Tour
- About 1 hour 15 minutes.
- A vineyard walk covering organic and biodynamic farming.
- A visit to the organic garden and the biodynamic preparation area.
- A tasting of four wines, two whites and two reds.
- CLP 42,990 per person in Emiliana’s online shop.
Gê Organic Tasting Tour
- About 1 hour 20 minutes.
- An introduction to the vineyard’s biodynamic practices.
- A premium tasting of four wines, finishing with Gê, the winery’s flagship biodynamic blend.
- The option to pair the wines with a selection of cheeses or organic chocolates.
- CLP 47,990 per person in Emiliana’s online shop.
Ask for the cheese option when you book. The winery’s visitor page names it but lists no fixed selection of cheeses and no separate price, so check whether it is included in your ticket or charged on top.
Emiliana suits visitors who want to see how wine is grown as well as how it tastes, and the walk through the organic vineyard before a premium tasting makes the visit feel complete. It also suits couples and small groups who prefer an unhurried hour at one vineyard to five wineries squeezed into a day.
Practical details
- Location: Route 68, km 60.7, Casablanca Valley.
- Tour days: Tuesday to Saturday.
- Tour times: 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
- Advance booking: recommended, especially if you want the cheese pairing.
Official information: Emiliana tours and tastings.
Book the Gê tour if cheese is your priority. The four-wine Organic Tasting Tour does not come with cheese unless the winery confirms it.
2. Bodegas RE: unusual wines with bread, cheese and olives
Bodegas RE feels different from the manicured lawns and polished tasting rooms of the larger estates. The winery experiments with old and new methods, blends and cellar techniques, and its wines don’t always fit familiar categories. Our Bodegas RE winery guide lists its full menu of tastings.
The food matters here too. Depending on the package, the tasting board can include bread, cheese, olives, dried fruit and the winery’s own olive oil and balsamic. Two tours on Viator include it:
- The Private Casablanca Valley Wine Tour: Bodegas RE and Emiliana includes a four-wine tasting at Bodegas RE with a board of bread, olives, cheese, RE olive oil and wine balm. It costs from $275 per person and has 4.8/5 from 16 reviews, a small sample, so read the recent ones.
- The Casas del Bosque, Emiliana & Bodegas RE: 10 Wines from the Coast tour pours three wines with a cheese and olive board at Bodegas RE, plus tastings at the other two wineries. It costs from $250 per person, with 4.9/5 from only 15 reviews.
The board belongs to those packages, not to every Bodegas RE visit. For a full meal at the winery, the Pairing RE costs CLP 95,000 per person (Monday to Friday, 48 hours’ notice), and from September to April the Picnic RE costs CLP 60,000 for two, wine not included.
Come to Bodegas RE if you are curious. Its wines prompt questions about blending, ageing, texture and traditional methods, and the bread, cheese and olives give you something to eat with them.
What to check before booking: whether your tasting includes food, how many wines are poured, whether the underground cellar is part of the visit and whether the host speaks English.
Pair Bodegas RE with Emiliana for a contrast between organic vineyard work and experimental winemaking.
3. Casas del Bosque: wine with a proper vineyard lunch
Some visitors want a tasting board. Others want to settle into a vineyard restaurant for a long lunch with Chilean wine. For the second group, Casas del Bosque is one of the valley’s strongest choices, with gardens, vineyard views and three restaurants. Our Casas del Bosque winery guide covers its tours and tastings.
Tanino, the main restaurant, cooks dishes to go with the estate’s wines, using Chilean ingredients with northern Italian influences. Botánico and Casa Mirador offer two other styles of meal.
| Restaurant | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tanino | Contemporary vineyard cooking matched to the estate’s wines | Couples and long lunches |
| Botánico | Garden-style food, including Italian-influenced dishes | A relaxed seasonal lunch |
| Casa Mirador | A long tasting menu with matched wines | Celebrations |
Tanino serves lunch daily from noon to 4:30 p.m. and asks for reservations 48 hours ahead. Botánico opens Thursday to Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m., with 24 hours’ notice. Casa Mirador serves lunch on weekends only and also asks for 48 hours’ notice; the winery’s reservation page describes nine courses, while its English restaurants page still mentions seven, so confirm the menu for your date. The Casa Mirador tour with lunch costs CLP 165,000 per person, for adults aged 18 and over.
If you want cheese with your wine outdoors, the winery’s Guided Bike Experience (CLP 45,000) takes you round the estate by bike and finishes with three wines, cheese and prosciutto. You book it with the winery.
At Casas del Bosque the meal is the main part of the visit, not a snack between tastings.
One catch: a tour that stops at Casas del Bosque for lunch does not always include a tasting there. Many guided days book a Tanino lunch stop and leave the bill to you.
Official information: Casas del Bosque restaurants. For every winery restaurant in the valley, see our guide to Casablanca Valley winery restaurants.
4. Viñamar: sparkling wine and cheese
If your ideal pairing has bubbles, look at Viñamar. Casablanca’s cool climate suits sparkling wine, and Viñamar is the valley’s sparkling specialist.
Sparkling wine goes well with creamy, salty cheeses, because its acidity and bubbles refresh your palate between bites. Think of a dry sparkling wine with a soft cow’s-milk cheese, or bubbles with a few savory appetizers.
The Sparkling Wine Tour and Premium Tasting with Private Transport includes a guided visit to Viñamar with five sparkling wines and a board of local cheeses, charcuterie and dried fruit, after a four-wine tasting at a local wine market. It is a private 4- to 5-hour trip from Santiago, from $210 per person, rated 5.0/5 from 21 reviews; with that few reviews, read the recent ones before you book.
A sparkling tasting booked another way is not automatically a cheese pairing, so check whether your Viñamar package includes food. If you want to try sparkling wine alongside Casablanca’s still whites and reds, add Viñamar to a longer wine day.
Other Experiences
Other experiences you might enjoy
More Casablanca Valley wine tours, each with its own page and booking link.
The best Chilean wines to pair with cheese
You don’t need to learn sommelier rules to enjoy wine and cheese. A few reliable combinations get you started.
| Chilean wine | Cheese to try | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Sauvignon Blanc | Fresh goat cheese | Bright acidity balances creamy, tangy flavors |
| Chardonnay, unoaked | Mild fresh cow’s-milk cheese | Fresh fruit and acidity suit delicate flavors |
| Chardonnay, lightly oaked | Brie or Camembert | A rounder texture matches rich, creamy cheese |
| Pinot Noir | Gruyère or a mild semi-hard cheese | Gentle tannins and red fruit suit nutty flavors |
| Dry sparkling wine | Brie, Camembert or another creamy cheese | Bubbles and acidity refresh the palate |
| Syrah | Aged cheddar or a mature hard cheese | Stronger flavors stand up to a richer red |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Aged Gouda or mature cheddar | Firm, salty cheese works with a structured red |
| Late-harvest sweet wine | Blue cheese | Sweetness balances salt and pungency |
These are pairings to try, not a list of what the wineries serve. Wine educators such as WSET explain pairing through acidity, fat, sweetness, salt and tannin: a good match can make a wine taste softer, fruitier or more balanced. For more on the grapes themselves, see our Chilean wine guide.
Sauvignon Blanc and goat cheese: the Casablanca classic
If you try only one combination, make it Sauvignon Blanc with fresh goat cheese. Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc often tastes of citrus and green fruit, sometimes with a herbal edge, and fresh goat cheese is tangy and creamy. The wine’s acidity stops the cheese feeling heavy, and the cheese makes the fruit in the wine taste different. It is a good pairing for a sunny afternoon before a bigger lunch.
Try this: taste the Sauvignon Blanc on its own, eat a small piece of goat cheese, then taste the wine again and notice whether the citrus seems different.
Chardonnay and creamy cheese: rich without being heavy
Chardonnay is more flexible than its reputation. A fresh, unoaked Chardonnay works well with young cheeses and mild, creamy textures. A lightly oaked one can be better with Brie-style cheeses, as long as the wine has enough acidity to balance them.
Many cool-climate Chardonnays taste of fresh fruit and minerals more than butter or oak. Ask your host whether the Chardonnay was aged in oak; the answer tells you a lot about its style.
Pinot Noir and semi-hard cheese: the underrated pairing
Pinot Noir is often easier to match with cheese than bigger, more tannic reds. Its light body, red fruit and moderate tannins complement many cheeses without overpowering them. Try it with a mild Gruyère, a young Gouda or another nutty semi-hard cheese, and drink Casablanca Pinot Noir slightly cool.
Sparkling wine and soft cheese: an easy match
Sparkling wine isn’t only for celebrations. Dry sparkling wines have the acidity and freshness to balance rich food, and a soft, creamy cheese goes well with a glass of Brut. If the board also has olives, crackers or savory bites, sparkling wine handles all of them.
Syrah and aged cheese: for red-wine lovers
Casablanca is best known for whites and Pinot Noir, but look out for Syrah too. Cool-climate Syrah tends to show pepper, flowers and savory notes alongside dark fruit, more than warmer-region versions, and it works with aged cheeses that have developed stronger flavors. A mature cheddar or aged Gouda is a good start.
Don’t pair your most powerful red with the mildest fresh cheese on the board: the wine will flatten it.
What makes wine and cheese pairing work?
Pairing sounds mysterious, but most of it comes down to balance.
Acidity keeps rich cheese from feeling heavy
Acidity gives wine its freshness. After a bite of creamy cheese, a wine with bright acidity cuts through the richness and leaves your palate ready for the next bite. That is part of why Sauvignon Blanc and sparkling wine work so well with soft cheeses.
Salt can soften a wine’s rough edges
A salty cheese changes how you notice tannin and acidity. A red that seems a little firm on its own can taste smoother after a bite of well-aged cheese.
Intensity matters more than color
The old advice, white wine with soft cheese and red with hard, is too simple. A powerful red overwhelms a delicate cheese whatever the color rule says, and a strong blue cheese can drown a subtle white. Match light wines with mild cheeses and intense wines with stronger ones.
Texture is as important as flavor
A creamy cheese can suit a rounded Chardonnay, while a dry sparkling wine gives you a pleasant contrast. Some pairings work because the wine and cheese are alike, others because their differences balance. In the end, your own taste matters more than any rule.
What else to try on a Chilean tasting board
Cheese is the focus, but local extras make a tasting more interesting. Look out for these on winery boards and restaurant menus:
- Queso de cabra: goat cheese, from fresh and tangy to firmer styles.
- Queso mantecoso: a popular Chilean semi-soft, buttery cow’s-milk cheese.
- Manjar: Chile’s caramelized milk spread, for sweet and dessert pairings.
- Aceitunas: olives, often served with bread or savory bites.
- Aceite de oliva: olive oil, especially interesting when the winery makes its own.
- Pan amasado: traditional Chilean homemade-style bread.
- Frutos secos: nuts and dried fruit, for comparing salty, sweet and earthy flavors.
- Mermeladas: fruit preserves, sometimes served with cheese.
Not all of these come from the Casablanca Valley or appear in winery packages; they are foods you will meet on Chilean menus. For a very Chilean combination, try goat cheese with pan amasado and a glass of cool-climate white.
What happens during a wine and cheese tasting?
A guided pairing usually follows a relaxed pattern, though each winery runs it its own way.
1. Introduction to the wines
Your host explains the wines: the grapes, how they were made and what makes the region distinctive. In Casablanca you will hear about the Pacific’s cooling effect, the morning fog and the differences between vineyards.
2. First taste without food
You usually taste each wine on its own first. Look at the color, smell it and take a small sip. You don’t need elaborate descriptions: if it reminds you of lemon, green apple or red berries, that is a useful observation.
3. Taste the cheese
Try a small piece and notice its texture, saltiness and strength. Fresh goat cheese feels very different from a mature hard cheese.
4. Taste the wine again
This is the interesting part. The wine may taste softer, sharper, fruitier or less bitter. Sometimes the pairing feels perfect and sometimes it doesn’t work at all; you learn from both.
5. Compare other combinations
A good tasting encourages you to experiment: try a different cheese with the same wine, or two wines with one cheese. You may find that your favorite wine on its own is not your favorite with food.
Wine and cheese tasting vs winery lunch: which should you book?
The two overlap, but they do different jobs.
| Guided wine and cheese tasting | Winery restaurant lunch | |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Understanding flavors and pairings | Enjoying a full meal |
| Typical length | About 45 to 90 minutes | About 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Food | Small pairing portions | Full dishes or courses |
| Wine | Set tasting pours | Glasses, bottles or paired wines you order |
| Learning | Usually central | Depends on the restaurant |
| Best for | Wine enthusiasts and first-timers | Couples, food lovers and slow afternoons |
| Booking | A winery tasting reservation | A restaurant table reservation |
Book a tasting if you want to learn how cheese changes the taste of wine. Book a vineyard lunch if the food matters as much as the wine. With a full day, do both without rushing: for many visitors, a winery tour in the morning followed by a long vineyard lunch is the best combination.
Wine and cheese tours from Santiago
Casablanca is an easy day trip from Santiago once transport is arranged, and a guided day tour takes care of the driving between wineries. Here are three real tours to compare.
Option 1: Emiliana, William Cole and Casa del Bosque (private, with cheese)
The Emiliana, William Cole & Casa del Bosque private tour is the closest match to a wine and cheese day. It runs about 8 hours with private transfers from Santiago. At Emiliana you taste four wines, reds and whites, with a board of cheese and chocolate for each person. A tour and tasting at William Cole follow, and the day ends with lunch at Casas del Bosque, which you pay for separately. It costs from $150 per person and is rated 4.9/5 from 118 Viator reviews. Read our breakdown of the private Emiliana and William Cole day.
Best for: visitors who want the cheese included in the price.
Check before booking: the tasting inclusions on your date and the lunch arrangements at Casas del Bosque.
Option 2: Four Casablanca wineries and Tanino (the full day)
The Four Casablanca Wineries: Emiliana, Bodegas RE, Casa del Molle, Tanino tour runs about 10 hours from Santiago, with tastings at Emiliana, Bodegas RE and Casa del Molle and a lunch stop at Tanino. It covers organic winemaking, boutique cellars and a restaurant stop, from $139 per person with 4.8/5 from 671 Viator reviews. Lunch at Tanino is extra, not part of the tour price, and the listing does not promise a cheese board. Read our breakdown of the four-winery tour.
Best for: a varied wine day more than one dedicated pairing.
Option 3: Emiliana, Bodegas RE, Viñamar and Tanino (the most variety)
The Casablanca Valley 4 Vineyards: Emiliana, Bodegas RE, Viñamar & Tanino tour runs about 9 hours: tastings at three wineries, then lunch at Tanino. Each winery shows a different side of Chilean wine: organic farming at Emiliana, experiments at Bodegas RE and sparkling wine at Viñamar. The Tanino lunch is à la carte and each person pays for their own. It costs from $149 per person, rated 4.9/5 from 148 Viator reviews.
Best for: comparing whites, reds and sparkling wine in one day. See the four-vineyard itinerary and booking details.
Which tour would we choose?
For wine and cheese, choose the private Emiliana and William Cole day, the only one of the three with cheese written into the inclusions, at $150 per person. If you want a broader first look at the valley and don’t mind that cheese plays a small part, the four-winery day costs $139 and has far more reviews. For a private day built around your own choice of wineries, see our guide to private wine tours from Santiago.
How much does wine and cheese tasting cost in Casablanca Valley?
Prices depend on whether you book a tasting directly with a winery or join a full-day tour from Santiago. A winery’s tasting price covers only the visit on site. A day-tour price usually covers transport, a guide and several tastings, but often not lunch.
| Experience | Price per person (2026) |
|---|---|
| Entry-level winery tasting | CLP 23,500 at Veramonte to about CLP 35,000 |
| Emiliana tastings | CLP 42,990 (Organic) and CLP 47,990 (Gê, with the cheese option) |
| Premium tastings in the valley | Commonly CLP 45,000 to 75,000 |
| Casas del Bosque guided bike ride with wine, cheese and prosciutto | CLP 45,000 |
| Bodegas RE Pairing RE meal | CLP 95,000 |
| Lunch at Tanino | About USD 90 for the four-course menu, as quoted on one tour listing |
| Casa Mirador tour and lunch | CLP 165,000 |
| Shared full-day tour from Santiago | $139 to $149, lunch extra |
| Private full-day tour from Santiago | From $150; most private days we list cost $240 to $275 |
Prices change, so check the winery’s own page or the live listing before you book. Before paying, confirm what your booking includes: the tasting fee, the cheese, the vineyard tour, transport, lunch and taxes. A tour sold as “wine tasting with lunch” may simply stop at a restaurant where you order and pay yourself.
Saving money: if you only want the Emiliana cheese pairing, booking the Gê tasting directly and arranging your own transport can cost less than a multi-winery day. Add up the return trip before you decide; a driver for the day can cancel out the saving.
Planning your own wine and cheese day in Casablanca Valley
With one full day, this plan leaves time to enjoy each stop.
Suggested itinerary from Santiago
| Time | Stop | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. | Leave Santiago | Head west on Route 68 and allow extra time for traffic |
| 10:30 a.m. | Emiliana | Gê tasting with the cheese pairing confirmed in advance |
| 12:30 p.m. | Bodegas RE | Taste its unusual wines; reserve a tasting with a board |
| 2:30 p.m. | Casas del Bosque | Late lunch at Tanino, booked 48 hours ahead |
| 4:30 p.m. | Return to Santiago | Leave after lunch and allow for afternoon traffic |
The times are an example, not confirmed reservations. The plan works best with a driver and tasting slots booked in advance. Tanino serves lunch until 4:30 p.m., so a 2:30 p.m. table fits, but book it 48 hours ahead.
Getting around
Casablanca’s wineries are spread across the countryside, not grouped in a walkable town. A rental car is handy for sightseeing but awkward when everyone wants to taste. Chile’s Tolerancia Cero law treats a driver with 0.3 grams of alcohol per liter of blood or more as under the influence, so either one person stays sober or you book a tour. For most first-time visitors staying in Santiago, transport included in the booking is the simpler choice.
Best time for a wine and cheese tasting in Chile
You can visit the Casablanca Valley all year, but each season feels different.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | December to February | Warm afternoons, long days and busy vineyards |
| Harvest | March to April | Grape picking and a lively wine-country mood |
| Autumn | April to May | Turning vineyard colors and cooler days |
| Winter | June to August | Cooler, often wetter weather; indoor tastings appeal |
| Spring | September to November | Green vineyards, new growth and pleasant days |
For outdoor pairings and vineyard lunches, spring and early autumn balance scenery and comfortable weather. Summer is enjoyable too, but the midday sun is strong. During the harvest, wineries may add activities, and they may also be busy with production.
The 2026 Fiesta de la Vendimia, Casablanca’s harvest festival, took place on April 11 and 12. Check each year’s dates when they are announced. Our guide to the best time to visit Casablanca Valley covers the seasons month by month, and our guide to what to wear to a wine tasting in Chile covers clothes for each one.
Tips for booking a better wine and cheese tasting
Confirm that cheese is included
This matters most. “Wine tasting”, “gourmet tasting”, “premium tasting” and “wine pairing” mean different things. Some packages serve wine alone; others add cheese, chocolate, bread, olives or a full meal. Ask exactly what food comes with your tasting.
Tell the winery about dietary needs
Cheese boards can include cow’s and goat’s milk, nuts and bread. If you are vegetarian, ask whether any cheese uses animal rennet. If you are vegan or avoid dairy, ask for alternatives before you book; don’t assume they will be available on the day.
Don’t book too many tastings
Three wineries make a full day once you add driving, tours and lunch. One or two well-chosen wineries suit visitors who want time to learn about the wines and enjoy the views.
Reserve restaurant tables separately
A tasting booking does not hold you a restaurant table. This matters at Casas del Bosque, where wine tours and restaurant reservations are booked separately.
Leave time to enjoy the setting
The best moments often come between the formal parts: sitting on a terrace, walking in the gardens or talking to a host about a wine you didn’t expect to like. Skip itineraries that leave no room for that.
Ask about transport and pickup areas
A tour that departs from Santiago may not collect from every neighborhood or hotel. Check the pickup area, the tour language, the total length and the return arrangements.
Useful Spanish phrases for wine and cheese tasting
A few phrases help when you book directly with a winery.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| Degustación de vinos | Wine tasting |
| Maridaje de vinos y quesos | Wine and cheese pairing |
| Tabla de quesos | Cheese board |
| Queso de cabra | Goat cheese |
| Vino blanco | White wine |
| Vino tinto | Red wine |
| Vino espumante | Sparkling wine |
| ¿Incluye quesos? | Does it include cheese? |
| ¿Es necesario reservar? | Do we need to book? |
| ¿Tienen opciones vegetarianas? | Do you have vegetarian options? |
| ¿El almuerzo está incluido? | Is lunch included? |
The most useful question of all:
¿La degustación incluye maridaje con quesos o tiene un costo adicional?
Does the tasting include a cheese pairing, or is there an extra charge?
Frequently asked questions
Where can I do a wine and cheese tasting near Santiago?
In the Casablanca Valley, about an hour west of Santiago in normal traffic. Emiliana’s Gê tasting (CLP 47,990) offers a cheese pairing, and the Emiliana, William Cole & Casa del Bosque private tour ($150 per person) includes a cheese and chocolate board at Emiliana.
Which Casablanca Valley winery is best for wine and cheese?
Emiliana, for the one cheese pairing a winery advertises itself. For a bigger food day, Casas del Bosque has three restaurants, and selected Bodegas RE tastings come with a board of bread, cheese and olives.
What cheese goes best with Chilean Sauvignon Blanc?
Fresh goat cheese. Its creamy texture and tang suit the citrusy acidity of Sauvignon Blanc.
Is red or white wine better with cheese?
Neither is better every time. Fresh, creamy cheeses often suit high-acid whites, while mature, stronger cheeses can suit structured reds. Pinot Noir goes with many semi-hard cheeses.
Are cheese boards included in Casablanca Valley wine tours?
Not always. Some tastings offer cheese as an option, some tours include a small board and many focus on wine alone. Check the individual package.
Can I visit Casablanca Valley wineries without a guided tour?
Yes. You can book tastings directly with the wineries and arrange your own transport. Public transport between estates is limited, so a private driver or a tour is easier if you plan to taste.
Can I combine a cheese tasting with a vineyard lunch?
Yes. A morning Gê tasting at Emiliana followed by lunch at Tanino is a good combination. Book both ahead (Tanino asks for 48 hours) and allow time for the transfer.
Is Casablanca Valley good for people who prefer white wine?
Yes. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are the valley’s signature grapes, so white-wine lovers have plenty to taste.
Is a wine and cheese tasting suitable for beginners?
Yes. A guided pairing is one of the easiest ways to understand how acidity, tannin, salt and fat interact, and you need no wine knowledge beforehand.
Can children come on winery visits?
Policies differ by winery and activity. Some vineyards welcome families on the grounds or on certain tours, while tastings and some meals have age limits: Casa Mirador, for example, is for adults aged 18 and over. Check with the winery before bringing children.
Is a wine and cheese tasting worth it?
If you like Chilean wine but don’t know where to start, a guided pairing is one of the easiest ways in. You need no expert vocabulary or expensive bottle: a few well-chosen wines, good cheese and a host who explains what you are tasting are enough.
Casablanca’s signature wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, come in styles that all go well with food. For the most focused cheese pairing, start with Emiliana’s Gê tasting. For a bigger food-and-wine day, add lunch at Casas del Bosque. And if you are staying in Santiago, book a tour with transport, such as the private Emiliana and William Cole day, so nobody has to drive; check the inclusions for your date, because tasting menus change.
Sources and further reading
- Emiliana: tours and tastings, for tasting formats, the cheese option and tour times.
- Casas del Bosque: restaurants, for Tanino, Botánico, Casa Mirador and reservations.
- Casas del Bosque: wine tourism, for tour, bike and Casa Mirador prices.
- Bodegas RE: wine tourism, for tastings, Pairing RE and Picnic RE.
- WSET: food and wine pairing principles, on acidity, salt, fat and tannin.
- Chile Travel: Casablanca Harvest Festival 2026, for the festival dates.
Prices and schedules checked October and November 2026. Tasting menus, prices and tour inclusions change, so confirm them before you book.
Spend the Day in the Vineyards
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Private Casablanca Tour: Emiliana, William Cole & Casa del Bosque from $150 per person.
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