Harvest Report 2019
This year’s rather cold spring and the warm summer – with weeks of intense heat in the Central and South-Central regions – caused some varieties to ripe before expected. Fortunately, the heat waves did not cause major effects and 2019 has been a normal year, wirh harvest concentrated in the first week of March and the last week of April. The absence of rain in the entire wine region gives us very healthy plants, however water remains a scarce resource in all of Chile.
Limarà Valley
The valley presents normality in its water supply, and did not suffer the effects of the high temperatures registered in January in spite of the absence of rains and of beeing at the extreme north coast of the wine-growing region. It has been a fairly normal and fresh year. We expect a very mineral Chardonnay and a fresh and floral Syrah of exceptional quality.
Aconcagua Valley
This valley is located in a very warm area and the heat waves in January – with temperatures above 40 ° C – made for an yearly harvest for the red varieties, however, it also delivered fruits with very good acidity. We expect red wines of very good quality.
Casablanca Valley
This valley registered a normal year, with absence of rain and a cold spring, which lead to a slow and smooth ripening. We expect very fruity and fresh wines, with moderate alcohol levels – between 12 and 13.5. We also expect excellents Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, but it has definitely been an exceptionally positive year for Pinot Noir.
San Antonio Valley
This is a coastal valley, our vineyards being located between 15 and 20 km from the Pacific Ocean. In spite being an area of cool temperatures, it registered some days of intense heat in January. Some plants stopped their ripening, but fortunately we’ve seen some recovery in the month of February. As a result we have grapes with low alcohol and medium acidity. We had to be very conscious to harvest the grapes at the right time and not lose their natural acidity. In this valley we will see very good quality in Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Maipo Valley
2019 has been a very good year for red wines from the Maipo Valley. We recorded a moderate production, between 8-11 tons per hectare. Although the region was affected by the heat waves in January, the plants responded well, without dehydration and delivering fruits with good natural acidity and ripe tannins. We expect an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cachapoal Valley
Our fields in this valley are dedicated, almost exclusively to Carmenere, a variety that excels in high temperatures. A valley that has not yet been harvested, but we observe a positive evolution of the vines, which will give us spicy wines and round tannins.
Colchagua Valley
The warm temperatures in the valley led us to advance the harvest in a week, however, we managed to harvest the fruit at the right time, with good ripe and natural acidity. We expect fresh and vibrant Merlot and a very juicy Malbec.
Curicó Valley
A cold spring, a not very hot summer and the absence of rains have allowed a slow maturity of the fruit, resulting in a very expressive Sauvignon Blanc and a very good quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Still to harvest.
Maule Valley
A valley little affected by the high temperatures of January, in addition, with the absence of rain we have achieved good yields and fruits with good natural acidity. We have a very aromatic and fresh Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay with good volume and very citric.
BÃo BÃo Valley
The frosts during the spring have delayed the season and affected – although minimally – the production in the area. However, the absence of rains allowed us to wait for the slow repining of the grapes. We have harvested good Pinot Noir for sparkling wines and excellent Sauvginon Blanc and Riesling.
Comparative
The 2018 harvest was the result of a dry spring with consistent temperatures and absence of frost. Ideal conditions that added to a moderate summer allowed a slow repining of the grapea, delivering fresh fruits with good acidity and pH. 2018 was a normal year, after two years of significant losses.
In 2019, the absence of rains in the entire wine area decreased yields, delivering more concentrated wines. The heat waves in January have accelerated the repining for the Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere varieties. In general terms it has been an excellent vintage, with very healthy grapes, good acidity and good volume. We expect great Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from LimarÃ.