Curicó is Chile’s second largest wine producing valley. Only Maule to the south has more area dedicated to winegrowing. Numerous factors make it vitiviniculturally attractive: its Mediterranean climate, a 5-month summer dry season with an average temperature of 20°C (68°F) and a maximum of 30°C (86°F), sufficient rainfall (700 mm / 27.6 in), and well-drained alluvial soils. This relatively large valley is sub-divided into the Teno River Valley to the north, and the Lontue River Valley to the south. Curicó is also home to the country’s largest vineyards and vast extensions of up to 8 km (5 mi) of vine-laden lands are visible from the highway.