Festival weekend planner
Fiesta de la Vendimia de Colchagua — a 3-day weekend in Colchagua Valley
Mid-March weekend. Santa Cruz, Chile. 170 min from the airport.
The weekend, day by day
- Day 1
Arrive in Santa Cruz
Land at Santiago International Airport (SCL), settle in and walk the old town in the afternoon. Light dinner near your accommodation — save your appetite for the festival day.
- Day 2
Fiesta de la Vendimia de Colchagua
Festival day — arrive early to avoid the lunchtime crowd. Insider tip: Book VIP tastings directly with Casa Lapostolle's sommelier team (not through general festival channels) for access to their Apalta Vineyard parcels; the open-air cueca dancing on nights two and three continues late into the evening when locals take over from tourists, offering authentic cultural immersion.
- Day 3
Wine country day in Colchagua Valley
Use the third day for a single winery visit (booked ahead) and a long lunch at one of the regional addresses below before heading home.
Where to stay
Three angles for the festival window. Festival hotels book out 6+ months in advance — apartments are the contingency when the main shortlist is sold out.
- Hotels in Santa Cruz
Live inventory around the festival window — 2 adults, all star ratings.
- 4–5 star options near Santa Cruz
Higher-end shortlist when you want the milestone weekend treatment.
- Apartments in Santa Cruz
Self-catering option — useful when festival hotels sell out 6+ months ahead.
Booking.com links — we may earn a commission. We never recommend hotels we wouldn't use ourselves.
One winery worth a detour
Viña Vik
Chile's most architecturally stunning winery in a valley most people have never heard of, with a luxury hotel overlooking a private vineyard amphitheatre.
- Address
- Millahue de Apalta, San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, Chile
- Appointment
- required
- Tasting price
- USD 50 · Architecture tour, vineyard visit, 4-wine premium tasting
- Website
- Visit
Practical
- Nearest airport
- Santiago International Airport (SCL)
- Mid-range daily budget
- ~€130/day for two
Insider tip
Book VIP tastings directly with Casa Lapostolle's sommelier team (not through general festival channels) for access to their Apalta Vineyard parcels; the open-air cueca dancing on nights two and three continues late into the evening when locals take over from tourists, offering authentic cultural immersion.
Want a longer trip than the festival weekend?
The milestone-trip planner builds a 3–10 day Colchagua Valley itinerary with accommodation, tours, and pacing options.
Plan a Colchagua Valley trip →