The history of Chilean wine begins in 1851, when a young Silvestre Ochagavía sparked a revolution in national winemaking by planting the first French vines in Santiago de Chile.
A studious mind, he picked up every secret and mystery of the vineyards in France, eager to apply this newly-acquired knowledge and replicate a model of perfection.
THE FIRST CHILEAN WINERY TO GROW VINEYARDS WITH THE BORDEAUX VARIETIES.
Before the independence of Chile, Silvestre Ochagavia Echazarreta orders the construction of the Casona Lo Ochagavia estate house in the heart of the city of Santiago.
check Location: Central valley – Metropolitan Region
check Main varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon
check Climate: Temperate Mediterranean, with warm days and cool nights
check Temperature variation: 19° – 20°C
check Soil type: Composed of round alluvial pebbles rich in minerals, with good drainage.
Description: The Maipo valley has always excelled for its premium red wines. The undisputed star is Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Merlot, Syrah, and Carmenère. It is located south-east of the city of Santiago in the Metropolitan Region, at approximately 800 meters above sea level. The quality of this terroir is greatly determined by the Maipo river, which runs for approximately 250 kilometers from the border with Argentina into the San Antonio valley.
check Location: San Antonio valley – Valparaíso Region
check Main varieties: Sauvignon Blanc
check Climate: Cool, with marine influence
check Temperature variation: 17° – 18°C
check Soil type: Granite rock with an abundance of minerals
Description: The Leyda valley is located approximately 90 kilometers west of Santiago, just 10 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. It has earned a reputation for the high quality of its white wines, especially its elegant cool-climate Sauvignon Blancs. Its proximity to the coast results in great marine influence, which reflects upon the nice acidity of these wines and their outstanding citrus and mineral flavors. The valley is a relatively new viticultural region. Its first plantations were established in the early 2000s and have also produced excellent Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
check Location: Central valley – General B. O’Higgins Region
check Main varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère
check Climate: Sub-humid Mediterranean climate, with significant temperature variation.
check Temperature variation: 18° – 19℃
check Soil type: Deep soil of volcanic origin, various textures and good drainage.
Description: Hailed as Chile’s agricultural paradise, the Rapel valley is composed of two main sub-valleys: Cachapoal, where the main varieties are Merlot and Carmenère, and Colchagua, where Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the scene. These valleys present distinct seasons during the year, with temperatures over 30°C in summer and abundant rain in fall and winter. Its main tributaries are the Cachapoal, Tinguiririca and Rapel rivers.
