Elqui lies at the southern edge of the Atacama Desert, with clear skies, intense sunshine and thin, rocky soils. Vineyards need irrigation. High sites grow the white grapes Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, and the valley also makes aromatic, intensely flavoured Syrah reds. Limarí has cooler coastal mornings with ocean fog. Its limestone soils come from ancient seabeds lifted during the formation of the Andes. Chardonnay is a major grape; Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir can make wines with bright acidity. Limarí also produces sparkling wine, while inland Syrah can be more powerful. Elqui and Limarí have more than four centuries of winemaking history. Coquimbo also belongs to Chile's defined production area for pisco, a grape spirit.
1 named area
Inside the region
Explore the wine-growing areas of Coquimbo.