Vina San Esteban is located in central Chile at the mountainous, eastern edge of the Aconcagua Valley where the sunny days and night breezes create the thermal variaton needed to reach an optimal maturity in the color and structure of the grapes. San Esteban's history traces back to the XVI century with the arrival of the first Spanish explorers to the region. Recognizing the privileged soil and climate conditions of the Aconcagua Valley, the colonists planted the first vineyards and created haciendas dedicated to wine production. They introduced the family-based system of work and colonial style architecture still found today throughout the San Esteban area. This land was also home to an earlier civilization that has left us only enigmatic remnants of its culture. The rocky, hiilside estate Paidahuén is an archaeological wonder, covered with petroglyphs left by its previous inhabitants. Full of symbolism and mystery, these ancient rock drawings hold a deep significance for the people, old and new, of San Esteban. Vina San Esteban's own history is yet another part of this rich legacy. Belonging to a family with a long-standing tadition in Chilean viticulture, Vina San Esteban follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, working to express the "flavours of the land " and ultimate create a vibrant place for the production of wine. In 1974 José Vicente K. bought the two estates Paidahuén and La Florida forr the cultivation of wine-producing grapes. Twenty years later he was jointed by his son Horacio Vicente, a promising winemaker, to produce quality Aconcagua Valley wines.
Vina Von Siebenthal Panguehue, established in 1998 by Mauro von Siebenthal, a swiss lawyer and wine aficionado. His challenge was to create a medum-sized bodega with state-of -the -art technolgy, while respecting the archtectural traditions of the casona (a traditional colonial style country mansion) . The philosophy behind the organisation is similar to that of Bordeaux chateaux; house, vineyard and cellar blend together harmoniously to facilitate the creation of an exceptional wine. The main vineyards are Carabantes, Montelig and Toknar ; where more than 100000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Carmenère and Petit Verdot vines have been planted over 25 hectares. Through careful study of the soil and sunlight exposure, the areas best suited to the various grapes have been determined. For the Merlot and the Cabernet Franc it is the cool clay-limestone soil of the plains, while the warm sandy, stony soil of the hills is ideally suited for the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Syrah, the Carmenère and the Petit Verdot. The vines are cultivated using organic farming principles and a careful respect for the environment. The yield is drastically reduced to intensify the aroma of the grapes, which are harvested by hand using small 8 kg boxes. The vinification proces itself is carried out with meticulous care, one small batch at a time ,selecting only the best must. After a long period of cold maceration, the grapes are left to their slow and gentle process of fermentation. The cellar has been designed to accomodate 400 barrels (75 French , 25% American), for an annual production of 150000 bottles. Vina von Siebenthal is a model enterprice producing high-quality wines which eloquently express the extraordinary characteristics of the Valle de Aconcagua terroir.
Vina Villard has been established in 1989 by Thierry Villard as Chile's first family premium boutique wine company. Over the last two decades, it has consistently been recognized as one of the best producers of the Casablanca Valley. This wonderfull white wine Valley is located at the foot of the Coastal Mountain range situaed at 75 km west of Sasntiago and 35 km from teh Pacific Ocean. The Casablanca Valley is recognized as Chile's premium cool climate viticultural region, enjoys sea breezes that extend the ripening period of the grapes like Pinot Noir, Sauvignon and Chardonnay incorporated in brandnames like Exprésion Reserve, Grand Vin , Equis , El Noble, Tanagra.
Vina Casa Donoso made its way into the market, at a time when the Chilean winemaking industry started to get more sophisticated. In 1989, a group of foreign investors, captivated by the beauty and the potential of the environment, bought Fundo La Oriental, a historic wine domaine in the very heart of Maule Valley.This women, with her outstanding charm and a marked talent for business, not only inspired one of the first labels, Doña Lucía, but the overall work concept of Viña Casa Donoso which relies upon the traditional elaboration of red and white wines in the best of French styles.
During several years, Viña Casa Donoso has developed a collection of highest quality products, and its catalogue shows some exceptional labels: The Icon of the winery “D” Casa Donoso, its Super Premium Perla Negra, launched this year, and the Premium wines Casa Donoso 1810 and Casa Donoso Clos Centenaire, followed by the Gran Reserva Bicentenario and Reserva Evolución. All of these wines have been elaborated with carefully selected grapes and show a unique and unmistakable character.
With the years, the size of the winery has doubled, as other terroirs have been added in the region of San Javier, in the same Maule Valley but slightly south of the original estate. Expansion also included San Vicente estate, 472 hectares in the northern part of the valley. Currently, the winery covers an overall surface of 710 hectares.
At the beginning of 2011, there was a change in ownership, which brought fresh energies to the project. The new holders plainly endorsed the winery’s concept of development and its commitment with careful levels of production in the traditional grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, as
they represent the basis for the elaboration of the different product lines, Reserva, Gran Reserva, Premium, Super Premium and Icon, which all have reached presence, participation and recognition across five continents.
Casa Donoso Group is a family owned, boutique -oriented winery in the Maule Valley.
Polkura Wines Colchagua Valley
The POLKURA hill is located on the western end of the Colchagua Valley, in central-south Chile, less than 30 km. from the Pacific Ocean.
Although the marine influence is much bigger than in the rest of the valley, the mountain range separating Marchigüe from the coastal town of Pichilemu, prevents the sea breezes from entering with all their power into the valley.
Wines from Marchigüe are the responde to an “intermediate” climate. On the nose, typical cool climates notes such as black pepper and some herbs are found. On the palate, the wine is full bobied and has powerful tannins, wich is characteristic of warmer areas.
Matetic Winery
Our modern wine cellar, designed by the team of Matetic Vineyards in conjunction with the architect Laurence Odfjell, was built in 2004; Taking into account every detail of the winemaking process and the care of the environment. It harmonizes the organic and biodynamic agriculture practiced in the vineyard and the natural landscape of the valley, merging with its surroundings.
With a capacity of 600 thousand liters, it has a design of gravitational flow, which allows to achieve a delicate handling of the grape at every stage of the process, from reception and selection to fermentation and subsequent storage in barrels. The winery has 3 underground rooms for the storage of almost 1,800 barrels, counting on the optimal conditions of humidity and temperature, where our wines are raised between 12 and 22 months in French barrels.
The family arrived in Chilean Patagonia back in 1892, originally from Rijeka (nowadays in Croatia). In 1999 the fourth generation of the family , after a detailed study of the terroir conditions, and absolutely confident about the great potential of planted vineyards on the slopes of this protected environment within the San Antonio appelation . Thus, becoming pioneers in cool-climate Syrah in Chile.
COASTAL INFLUENCE
The proximity to the Pacific Ocean benefits our vineyards. They experience cool nights, morning mist and sea breezes during afternoons. This is a cool and dry region, where rains only fail during the winter period. All these conditions help to achieve slow ripening, healthy grapes with crisp natural acidity and intense flavor.
GRANITIC SOILS
Only found surrounding the Coastal Range (Cordillera de la Costa), these soils are prevalent in gentle rolling hills, exhibiting an advanced weathering of the rock material. They are poor in nutrients and very rich in quartz minerals. Their sandy allows for excellent drainage and root penetration.
Familia Falasco
Het Argentijnse familiebedrijf Falasco kan bogen op een rijk verleden van meer dan 70 jaar. De derde generatie probeert dezelfde dromen te realiseren die van bij het begin de activiteiten van het wijnhuis sturen en stuwen: werken met respect voor terroir en traditie én een vinger aan de pols houden wat betreft de ontwikkelingen in de wijnwereld.
Chakana Winery started on May, 2, 2002 in Agrelo, Lujan de Cujo , Mendoza province, Argentina. Its founder was Juan Pelizzatti. Chakana wines are made from grapes grown on a 150 ha estate at 960 mts above sea level. The winery , at Fincas Agrelo has been designed with very small tanks to maintain the identity of each soil parcel. The winemaking process is based on a very careful management of grape and wine in each production stage. Chakana vineyards are orientated 45 degrees north west to maximize fruit expression. This planting line was named by the Andean natives as the Viracocha line, or the line of truth of the Incas. The goal is to avoid sunburn of the grapes during peak temperature hours, as canopy shades the brunches. Drip irrigation is used in all the vineyards as a way to control the growing cycle and make a rational use of water. Brandnames are divided in Chakana and Chakana Estate based on Torrontès and Sauvignon blanc for white grapes and Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon for red grapes.
Colomé Bodega, founded in 1831 is one of the oldest wineries in Argentina. The winery is located in the upper Calchaqui Valleys in Salta and is one of the world's highest vineyards, sitting between 2300 and 3111 meters above sea level. The breathtaking views and the vast expanses of untouched terrain make Colomé one of the jewels in the crown of the Hess Family Estates, a family-run business made up of 7 wineries across the world. The portfolio consists of Colomé Torrontès , the signature wine of Argentina; Colomé Malbec both in varietal and reserva and Estate versions. Some blends are available under the name of Amalaya.
