Maipo

Maipo commonly refers to the Maipo River, a major watercourse in central Chile, and to the surrounding Maipo Valley wine region. The Maipo River rises in the Andes and flows westward across the Santiago metropolitan area, through irrigated valleys and foothill landscapes, before reaching the Pacific Ocean along the central Chilean coast. Its watershed is a crucial source of water for urban supply, irrigation, and hydroelectricity.

A series of reservoirs and infrastructure along the river supports Santiago and agricultural lands. Notable works include the El Yeso Reservoir, located in the Andean highlands, which stores glacial and snowmelt runoff for municipal use and irrigation downstream. The river’s runoff shapes the climate and soils of downstream valleys that support intensive agriculture and viticulture.

Maipo Valley is one of Chile’s oldest and most important wine regions, named for the river that nourishes it. The valley spans from the high Andean foothills to the coastal plain and is typically divided into upper (Alto Maipo) and lower central segments. Alto Maipo is cooler and higher in elevation, renowned for producing premium red wines, especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère, with a distinctive bright acidity. The lower Maipo Valley yields a broader range of varieties, including Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and other reds and whites.

The Maipo region has a long viticultural tradition dating to colonial times and remains a key center for Chilean wine production, tourism, and regional identity.