A true passion project, Rogue Vine is a collaboration of two friends who wanted to preserve the unique old vine wines from Itata. Making a collection of boutique wines from field blends, the philosophy of Rogue is to capture a place and a moment in time – celebrating the old bush vines of the south. A small, garage wine producer, the wines are made in Concepcion and Itata.
About the Winemaker
Leo Erazo (Leonardo Erazo Lynch) is a Chilean winemaker who currently mainly resides in Argentina where he is Head Winemaker for Altos Las Hormigas.
Visiting Itata several times a year, he works with small producers in the region to buy their old vine grapes and produces the wine in co-owner Justin Decker’s garage and a historic winery in the vineyards.
With winemaking experience in South Africa under his belt, he is trying to bring back Itata like South Africa did with the Swartland. His winemaking style is minimal and natural, with only native yeasts and old barrels. He also has another Itata wine production, A los viñateros bravos.
About the Vineyard
Rogue Vine was born from a desire to give some worth to old bush vines that were being wasted in cheap table wine – the project began in the vineyards.
Leo Erazo was convinced that something more unique could be made from the dry-farmed old vines of Itata, and so he began buying grapes from individual vine growers and vinifying different varieties.
To this day, Rogue Vine continues to buy their fruit from small, local producers in Guariligue and Las Nipas. Mainly granitic soils, the climate is cold and plenty of rainfall in the winter means that the vines (many of which are over 100 years old) can be dry harvested.
About the Wines
Usually working with blends, the portfolio started with Gran Itata: a white field blend of mainly Muscat, and a red field blend of mainly Cinsault. Mineral, fruit forward and with a fresh acidity, Gran Itata is the entry line for Rogue. Stepping up is Super Itata: a voluminous lees-aged Semillon-based white, and a lush red Cinsault-Carignan blend.
There are also a collection of newly released single-vineyard wines: characterful Carignan (El Insolente) and spicy, dark fruit Malbec. All the wines are vinified in old barrels or cement and follow natural wine principles.
Varieties: Semillon, Carignan, Cinsault, Muscat, Malbec, Field Blends