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Aconcagua

Video guide to Aconcagua wine region in Chile

by Agustina Abal November 22, 2022

written by Agustina Abal

Aconcagua is one of Chile’s most historic northern wine regions, which spreads today from the Andes to the coast. It is a patchwork of different varieties and wine styles, with different microclimates and soil types. In this video compilation guide, we talk to the winemakers and wineries of Aconcagua to discover what makes it special.

Video guide to the terroir and the wines of Aconcagua Valley & Aconcagua Costa

With Errazuriz winemaker Francisco Baettig

Winemaker Francisco Baettig knows Aconcagua better than most. Amanda Barnes interviews him in the vineyards of Errazuriz, as they talk about the terroir differences and how they reflect in the wines.

Click here to read the full post.

November 22, 2022 0 comment

Aconcagua terroir and the wines of Aconcagua Valley and Aconcagua Costa in Chile at Viña Errazuriz

Aconcagua Chile Features Chile Chile Wine Guide Santiago Videos Videos

Aconcagua terroir: From Costa to Andes with Viña Errazuriz winemaker Francisco Baettig

by Agustina Abal June 3, 2022

written by Agustina Abal

Get to grips with the terroir of Aconcagua from Costa to Andes in this interview with winemaker Francisco Baettig, in the vineyards of Errazuriz, as he tells Amanda Barnes how the difference in terroir reflects in the wines.

Viña Errazuriz is a pioneer of Aconcagua valley, making wine there since 1870, and has planted vineyards right from the coast to the Andes mountains. The newest development is towards the coast, Aconcagua Costa, which is cooler because of the influence of the coastal breezes from the Pacific and some sea fog and clouds. These cool conditions make it excellent for growing cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The soil profile is quite different as well with schist and metamorphic rock.

Further inland, after the coastal range, in the Entre Cordilleras and Andes regions of Aconcagua the influence of the sea is less and therefore it’s warmer. You also get a lot more sunshine in inland Aconcagua, which is very good for ripening Bordeaux varieties as well as Mediterranean varieties, like Grenache and Syrah. A mixture of alluvial and granite rocks here with diverse slopes and exposures make for quite a patchwork of microclimates and soils to work from, as Francisco Baettig explains.

Amanda also asks Francisco to explain the key differences between Cabernet Sauvignon in Aconcagua, with Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo (and in particular their famed Chadwick vineyard!) And they touch on the identity of Syrah in Chile.

The terroir and the wines of Aconcagua Valley and Aconcagua Costa with Francisco Baettig at Viña Errazuriz

June 3, 2022 0 comment

Featured Wineries Featured Chile Aconcagua Wineries Chile

Von Siebenthal

by Pablo Ortiz May 27, 2016

written by Pablo Ortiz

Von Siebenthal is the winery of Swiss vigneron Mauro Von Siebenthal in Aconcagua Valley, Chile, which was founded in 1998. Since then the project has grown from a small, boutique production, to becoming a well-recognized producer in Chile and further afield.

Located in Aconcagua valley, the focus is on red wines and one voluptuous Viognier. Petit Verdot, Carmenere, Syrah and blends flesh out the small but interesting portfolio.

About Viña Von Siebenthal

May 27, 2016 0 comment

Mendoza Features By Region Argentina Features Travel & Culture

Discover the high Andes: road tripping from Uco to Barreal

by Amanda Barnes January 28, 2016

written by Amanda Barnes

The Andes absconds a whole world of adventure, and tucked higher into the altitude of the Andes mountains and its foothills are many delightful destinations to discover. Plan a couple days, hire a hardy car and try this route for a new view of the Andes – from within.

Head up via the Uco Valley into the high parts of the foothills where a special micro climate brings a whole different flora and fauna to the valley, and the skies are perfectly clear for star gazing at night, and endless sky views – only interrupted by the ever-so-close Andes mountains – during the day.

Escape for a couple nights in a mountain ranch where you can spend the afternoon on horseback and the evening retiring as a true gaucho with a home cooked meal and penguino of wine (highly recommended are Estancia La Alejandra and Estancia El Puesto).

Then drive up via the dusty back road to Potrerillos and up towards Uspallata. If you want to take a peek at Aconcagua (or climb it!) then take the hour detour to Aconcagua Park (Hotel Ayelen is the only choice in Aconcagua). There are beautiful colours in the mountain sides, and you can snatch a view of the swooping condors while you look up to the lofty peaks of the mountain range. From Aconcagua Park, on a clear day, you can view the peak which is the highest outside of the Himalayas. Taking the time to visit Aconcagua (even in a day trip from Mendoza) gives you a real insight into the isolation this great barrier creates.

On your return down to Uspallata, take the road to Barreal where you will pass more landscapes, stunning in their remoteness and mountain frame, and can even stop off for a little spin on the salt flats – watch out for the small buggies that rip up the salt flats in sporting races.

Once you reach Barreal, spend a night in one of the typical countryside dwellings and inns and get a feel for this traditional region. You’ll spot a few vineyards, and should try to get hold of a bottle of Cara Sur Criolla while you are there.

Take your pick how your return to Mendoza – whether you head back down through the vineyard lanes into Pedernal, or come via the Calingasta wine region, or keep heading along the mountains to discover further delights towards the windy regions of San Juan where the dams thrill kite surfers and windsurfers.

There’s a world to explore in the high Andes – get lost and enjoy it!

January 28, 2016 0 comment

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