Viticulture and Enology
Bodegas y Viñedos de Aguirre has vineyards in five of Chile’s most important valleys:
- Casablanca
- Maule
- Maipo
- Colchagua
- Maule
The viticultor’s year starts with careful pruning in the winter which allows the vines to give for the right concentration of fruit.
Each region has its own personality, given them by their unique terroirs. This is turn makes for interesting blends between appellations, forever seeking perfect harmony and balance.
Originally considered ideal to plant Chardonnay, this valley is next to the Pacific Ocean.
The soil is mainly composed of sand and clay with low organic matter. This, together with a climate that includes early mists, make for ideal growing conditions for white varieties.
Generally cold and with a lack of water, it gives for elegant notes of minerality.
Situated south of Casablanca, Leyda is also close to the Pacific Ocean and enjoys constant sea breeze.
The first vines planted in this valley were Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, and since then other cold climate varieties have been planted. Here we can find grapes that give for wines with natural acidity, great colour and also mineral notes.
Situated next to Santiago, Maipo is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignons with their characteristic eucalyptus notes.
The valley extends from the Andes Mountains (Alto Maipo) to the Coastal Mountain Range, with different terroirs in between.
With the richness of different soil types and climates, predominantly one can find places ideal for red grapes, although there are also a couple of places ideal for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Situated in the southern part of Rapel, Colchagua has evolved in the last fifteen years from an agricultural back water to one of Chile’s most active swathes of farmland..
The relatively low Coastal Mountain Range here allows for the ocean breezes to collide with the winds from the Andes Mountains, cooling the valley and extending the ripening period which, in turn, benefits the grapes.
Most of the grapes here are for red wine, with special focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Carmenere. This said, some of the areas closer to the Pacific are also ideal for white grapes.
Chile’s largest wine growing region, is also its most diverse geographically and climatically. The central plains and the rolling hills in the west, by the coast, make it possible for both red and white grapes to prosper.
Unlike other Chilean valleys, Maule doesn’t have maritime influence, though does enjoy a favourable difference between day and nighttime temperatures.
These climatic conditions give for an aromatic intensity. The valley is also home to some of the oldest vines in the country.
