Vineyards in the Elqui Valley in Chile's Norte Chico region

First introduced by Catholic missionaries in the 1500s, wine-making has flourished in Chile for centuries, booming on the international market in the 19th century while phylloxera devastated Europe's vines.

Today the industry is experiencing a renaissance as it embraces new technology and techniques, and with this has come the growth of wine tourism.

Within easy reach of the capital, the country's fertile central basin is home to many of its vineyards, some maintaining original 19th century cellars, warehouses and gardens while others are housed in bold modern architectural surroundings. In addition to tasting the wine itself, vineyard tours often offer gourmet tasting menus in accompaniment.

Head to the Casablanca Valley for world-class whites or try Colchagua Valley for reds, where many of the wineries can be visited via the Tren del Vino, a restored steam train chugging its way between San Fernando and Santa Cruz.