Wine tourism routes: plans to celebrate Valentine's Day in Colombia and around the world

While in much of the world love is celebrated in February, in Colombia the celebration arrives in September and extends to friendship as well. For those looking for something different during this time, wine tourism is shaping up to be an ideal experience.

Civitatis offers several routes to enjoy as a couple, with friends, or even individually, with the opportunity to discover new destinations and people.

Beyond the toast, these tours allow you to delve into places where history, culture, and nature intertwine around wine. Offers include visits to emblematic wineries, tours of vineyards that preserve centuries of tradition, and the opportunity to learn firsthand about the process that transforms grapes into a bottled experience. All accompanied by guided tastings that reveal the essence of each region.

For María Carolina Padilla, Civitatis country manager, wine tourism routes invite you to discover landscapes, flavors, and moments that are best enjoyed in company. She adds, " Each journey is an opportunity to create memories that linger in your heart, like a toast between friends or lovers. Latin America has countries with enchanting routes, and if you're planning a longer trip, Spain and France are essential destinations for wine culture."

Chile is one of the largest wine producers in Latin America and a must-visit destination for wine tourism. Its central valleys, with fertile soils and a privileged climate, offer perfect conditions for growing a variety of grape varieties.

Among the most notable visits recommended by Civitatis are the excursion to the Concha y Toro Winery, world-renowned for its century-old wineries; the tour of the Santa Rita Winery , which includes a horse-drawn carriage ride and a tasting of its signature Carmenere wine; and the experience at the Undurraga Winery in Talagante, the first Chilean winery to export to the United States, where visitors can taste three of its most renowned wines.

Although coffee has been the country's agricultural symbol, the fertility of Colombia's land also allows for the cultivation of wine. The wine tourism route brings together locations as diverse as the Grape National Park in La Unión (Valle del Cauca), the Mesa de los Santos vineyards in Santander, and the wineries of Villa de Leyva and Nobsa in Boyacá.

Each stop offers different experiences: from tours through vineyards with contrasting climates to tastings of tropical wines that surprise with their nuances. This is a still emerging tradition, but one that is gaining ground as an authentic way to discover Colombian geography.

At the foot of the Andes, Mendoza has established itself as the premier destination for Argentine wine. Its vineyard landscapes and winemaking tradition make the region a world-class destination.

In areas like Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, and the Uco Valley, wineries offer tours of vineyards and barrel rooms , as well as gastronomic experiences that pair local dishes with iconic wines. Andeluna, Terrazas de los Andes, Santa Julia, Casa Vigil, and Rosell Boher are must-visit stops to experience the essence of Mendoza.

In Europe, Spain is a prime destination for wine tourism . Although the entire country is renowned for its traditions, the Community of Madrid is preparing to celebrate the Year of Wine Tourism in 2025 with its Protected Designation of Origin (DOC) "Vinos de Madrid." This designation brings together four subregions with their own distinct identities: from the red Garnacha and Albillo Real of San Martín de Valdeiglesias to the reds and whites of Navalcarnero or the granite and slate soils of El Molar.

Beyond Madrid, other Spanish regions complete the map: La Rioja and Ribera del Duero, to the north, are home to prestigious wines with Tempranillo as their star grape; while to the south, the Jerez region preserves a unique heritage with its biological and oxidative aging.

ANGIE RODRÍGUEZ - TRAVEL EDITORIAL - @ANGS0614