Valle de Concepción: Wine and Culture

Valle de Concepción is an important wine-growing area in the Department of Tarija. It is located 25 kilometers from the city of Tarija and is one of the department’s leading tourist attractions. The Valle is home to the department’s largest vineyard area, as well as some of Bolivia’s most important wineries. This can help you decide which themes you want to focus on during your stay.

Getting Your Bearings in Town

A useful landmark in Valle de Concepción is La Casa Vieja. It is on Calle Sucre, three blocks from the Plaza Principal. The property includes parking and a large courtyard with a viewpoint overlooking the vineyards.

Wine Tastings at La Casa Vieja

La Casa Vieja offers wine tastings at an artisanal winery. Wine-tourism experiences also include a tour of the property and tastings of its own wines. This distinguishes two aspects of a visit: touring the grounds and tasting the wines produced there. Check in advance for current visit arrangements.

Culture and Attractions

Valle D’Vino is a small wine-themed park in the municipality of Uriondo, with more than 40 cultural and wine-related attractions. This means that, in addition to visiting a winery, you can explore other cultural and wine-related themes. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción in Uriondo (Valle de la Concepción) is on Calle 6 de Julio and was restored in 2019. La Casa Vieja is also associated with cultural events on weekends that showcase Chapaca culture. If you’d like to plan your stay around these events, check the current dates in advance.

Other Destinations in the Department of Tarija

The Department of Tarija also offers experiences with a different focus. On the Ruta del Singani Artesanal y los Molinos de Piedra, visitors can learn about the production of artisanal Singani at Bodega Artesanal El Galeán and take part in a guided tasting. The route is in Sub Central de Yesera, in the municipality of Tarija. The availability of this experience may vary depending on the season and the organized route, so check the current arrangements in advance. While La Casa Vieja offers wine tastings, artisanal Singani is the focus at El Galeán.

For nature experiences, the Reserva Biológica de la Cordillera de Sama offers a different landscape, characterized by steep slopes, high plateaus, and high-Andean lagoons. At Laguna Pujzara Tajzara, visitors can watch birds and hike along the shore of the lagoon. The Reserva Nacional de Flora y Fauna Tariquía, by contrast, is characterized by mountainous terrain and mostly well-preserved forests. In Sidras, visitors can camp and hike in the reserve; check specific access arrangements locally.

Another seasonal point of interest in the Department of Tarija is the annual pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chaguaya. It takes place from August 15 to September 14 in honor of the Virgen de Chaguaya. If you’d like to include this tradition in your travel plans, confirm the current dates and arrangements in advance.

For the broader travel overview: Jose Maria Aviles.