Visit Casablanca Valley, Chile

This stunning valley separates Santiago from Valparaiso.

Located 60 miles (100km) north-west of the country's capital, Santiago, it is best known for its crisp white wines, most notably Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, which have gained it recognition as one of Chile's quality wine regions.

Pinot Noir, which is responsive to the cooler climates found in this coastal area, is also grown with some success. The Casablanca Valley is strongly influenced by the cooling effects of the Humboldt Current, which flows up the west coast of Chile from the Antarctic. Cooling afternoon breezes blow from the ocean towards the mountains in the east, filling the vacuum created by warm air rising in the east. The reverse winds in the evening, however, are not sufficiently strong to provide a cool finish to Casablanca days.