Private Full Day Tour of Viñas Tarapacá and Santa Ema Isla de Maipo

A private full day in Isla de Maipo feels way more relaxed than the usual wine-assembly-line day from Santiago. I like that you get private transportation with pickup, so you are not juggling schedules. One drawback to plan for, lunch is not included, even though the tour sets up your reservation.

At Viña Tarapacá, I love the way the day starts outdoors, with a guided park and a trail of native species. That sets you up to taste with context, including a tasting of four Gran Reserva Tarapacá wines.

Then Viña Santa Ema adds a classic winery workflow, you learn wine management and even see the stainless steel vat room from above. I also like that the tasting comes with a cheese board, not just pours and off you go.

Key highlights you will feel right away

• Private, personalized pacing for only your group, with transport handled door to door
• Viña Tarapacá park and native species trail before you taste, not after
• Two included tastings with four wines at Tarapacá and four at Santa Ema
• Winery tour at Santa Ema with a look over the stainless steel vat room
• Lunch reservation at Zinfandel (Terramater vineyard), while the meal cost is on you
• Private full day length (about 6-7 hours) that fits a real day, not a quick stop

Isla de Maipo, done in a smart order

Isla de Maipo is a great target if you want proper wine country time without leaving the Santiago area behind. This tour groups two well-known names in one day, so you can compare styles and winemaking approaches while the drive is still reasonable.

The best part is the flow. You start with Viña Tarapacá in a way that teaches you what to notice. Then you shift to Viña Santa Ema, where the tour focuses on how the winery works and how wines are managed, before you taste again.

Price and what you truly get for $180

The price is $180 per person for a private full day. That sounds like it could be just another wine day, but the included pieces matter.

Here is what is built into the cost:

• Private transportation for the full itinerary
• Alcohol included through tastings (wine tastings at Viña Tarapacá and Viña Santa Ema)
• Admission tickets for Viña Tarapacá and Viña Santa Ema
• A tasting at both wineries, plus a cheese board at Santa Ema

What is not included:

• Lunch cost is not included, though the tour makes a reservation for you at Zinfandel in the Terramater vineyard

So the value works best if you care about tastings at more than one winery and you want the day handled end to end. If you only want one light stop, you could find cheaper options. But for a private two-winery experience with tastings included, this is the kind of setup that can feel like money well spent.

How the private schedule works (and why it matters)

This is a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. That changes the day in small but important ways. You can usually move at a comfortable pace, ask questions in real time, and not feel like you are being rushed through.

Pickup is offered, and you use a mobile ticket, which helps if you hate last-minute printouts. The tour runs about 6 to 7 hours, so it is long enough to feel like a real excursion, but not so long that you lose the whole day.

The operating window is Tuesday through Friday (with an 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM schedule listed). Plan on going on a weekday for the smoothest experience, especially if you want more calm time for photos and tasting notes.

Stop 1 at Viña Tarapacá: native species trail and a four-wine Gran Reserva lineup

Your day begins at Viña Tarapacá in an emblematic casona, then you move into a guided visit that is more than just a quick look. You start with a guided tour of the park and a trail of native species. You also learn about the history of Viña Tarapacá and its soils.

That soil talk is not just trivia. It gives you a way to interpret what you taste later, because soil affects vine behavior, ripening, and the way flavors land in the glass. You get that background before the tasting, which makes the whole experience feel more coherent.

After the guided portion, you enjoy a tasting of four Gran Reserva Tarapacá wines:

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Carmenère
• Cabernet
• Gran Reserva Tarapacá Organic wine

This lineup is useful because it covers different grapes and styles. You can taste the shift from lighter, fresher aromatics into the deeper red-grape profile, then circle back to an organic Gran Reserva expression.

Possible consideration: this stop is designed to be guided and structured, so if you prefer completely free wandering, you might want to take extra photos early and ask your guide how much time you can have for slower looks.

Stop 2 at Terramater: lunch setup at Zinfandel (meal cost not included)

Next you head to Terramater for lunch at Zinfandel, described as one of the best restaurants in Isla de Maipo. You get about 2 hours here.

The practical truth: lunch is not included in the tour price. The tour makes the reservation for you, but the meal is still something you pay for directly at the restaurant.

Why this works anyway:

• Two hours is enough time to eat without feeling glued to a schedule
• You get a vineyard setting that fits the wine theme
• It breaks up the day so the second winery tour does not feel like a second shift

My advice: if you drink wine at lunch, keep it light. The day already includes tastings at two wineries, and you will want clear focus for the Santa Ema tour afterward.

Stop 3 at Viña Santa Ema: wine management, vat room views, and a cheese-board tasting

Viña Santa Ema is the final stop, and it ends the day with both education and a structured tasting. You start with a tour of the vineyards where you learn about wine management.

Then you tour the winery itself, including an impressive moment: you observe the stainless steel vat room from above. Seeing the process from a higher viewpoint helps you connect the idea of fermentation and storage to what you later taste.

The tasting is guided and includes four wines, from their lines:

• Select Terroir Reserva
• Gran Reserva
• Amplus

The tour also includes a cheese board, which is a smart pairing move. It gives you a chance to compare how the wines react to different flavors and textures, especially the salt, fat, and acidity from cheeses.

This is the stop where I think the pacing really pays off. You go from the practical winery tour into tasting mode with less mental friction than you would have if you were dropped into tasting immediately.

Possible consideration: like most winery tastings, this is not meant to be a casual walk-in and out. You will be in a guided flow, so wear comfortable shoes and plan to stay present.

What the included tastings feel like in real terms

A lot of wine days say tastings are included, but the quality of the tasting experience varies a lot. Here, you get tastings at two different wineries, with admission included at both.

At Tarapacá, you taste four Gran Reserva Tarapacá wines that include both white and red expressions, plus a dedicated organic Gran Reserva option. At Santa Ema, you get another guided tasting of four wines with a cheese board, and you get the vat-room look that makes the whole experience feel more grounded.

So by the end of the day, you have more than a list of labels. You have a clearer sense of how each winery thinks about grapes, aging, and style.

Food, alcohol, and staying in control of your day

Alcoholic beverages are part of the included experience through tastings, so you should plan like you will taste. Luckily, private transportation is included, so you do not have to worry about driving yourself.

Still, I recommend you treat the day like a tasting circuit:

• Pace yourself through the pours
• Drink water when you can
• If you have strong preferences, ask your guide what to compare during the tasting

Also, since lunch is not included, you might want to eat something substantial even if you order a wine-friendly meal. It keeps the day comfortable and helps you enjoy Santa Ema instead of just surviving it.

Who this private tour is best for

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A private, no-stress format from Santiago
• Two meaningful winery visits in one day
• Included tastings at both wineries
• Wine education that is tied to what you taste (so not just check-the-box touring)

It is also a good choice for couples and small groups who want a quieter feel, and for anyone who dislikes the feeling of getting herded around.

It might not be ideal if you:

• Only want a short taste with minimal structure
• Do not want to pay extra for lunch
• Prefer a completely unguided experience where you control every minute

When to book and how to think about dates

This tour is commonly booked about 41 days in advance, which usually means it is a popular plan. If you have a tight schedule in Santiago, booking earlier can help you lock in a day that matches your energy level.

It runs Tuesday through Friday based on the operating window listed, and the experience requires good weather. If weather affects the plan, you should expect a different date offer or a full refund.

Should you book this private Viñas Tarapacá and Santa Ema tour?

Yes, if you want a real wine-country day with tastings included at two wineries, plus a thoughtful winery tour at Santa Ema. The private transportation and structured visits make it easy to enjoy without spending your brain on logistics.

Book it especially if you like the idea of learning as you go, from soils and native species at Tarapacá to wine management and the vat room at Santa Ema. The day is also flexible in the one way that counts: lunch is reserved for you, so you are not stuck hunting while you are already wine-traffic tired.

Hold off if you are trying to keep costs ultra-low, because lunch is not included and you will be paying for it. Also, if you want total freedom to wander without guided pacing, this tour is more structured than that.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 6 to 7 hours.

Does the tour include wine tastings?

Yes. Tastings are included at Viña Tarapacá and Viña Santa Ema.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. The tour makes a reservation for lunch at Zinfandel in the Terramater vineyard.

Do I get pickup and transportation?

Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included.

Is this tour private or shared with other groups?

It is private. Only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy, and does weather affect it?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.