Sur Chileno is a new association of independent producers in southern Chile’s regions of Maule, Itata, Bio Bio and Malleco who are working together to promote the authentic wines of the south. Southern Chile is undoubtedly a special place when it comes to making wines of great character and authenticity, and the goal of the eight founding wineries for Sur Chileno is to promote this identity together and help push towards more sustainable wine production in the south.
“We are all independent wineries and share the same key philosophies,” explains one of the founding members, Enzo Pandolfi of Pandolfi Price winery in Itata. “What are fundamental philosophies for all of us are: being respectful of the identity of wines from southern Chile; focusing on environmental, social and economic sustainability in wine production and fair trade; cooperation and unity between producers to support each other; and offering wines of great quality from southern Chile. We believe we can have a greater impact together as an association in promoting the wines and producers of the region.”
Founded in November 2020, Sur Chileno was supported and initiated by CORFO Ñuble. There are eight wineries who are the founders of the association, but it remains open for new associate members. The founding wineries are:
Massoc Frères
A family winery started in 2015 in Itata working with old vines there and is making an interesting line up of Moscatel, Cinsault and País wines, as well as a range of fortified wines and spirits.
Roberto Henríquez
Roberto is a renowned natural winemaker making wines from old vines in Bio Bio and Itata. His wines are highly sought-after internationally and he is recognised for his focus on artisanal winemaking traditions.
Clos des Fous
This exciting terroir focused project has been focused on finding special vineyards around Chile to make distinctive expressions of key varietals. Clos des Fous has a particular focus on old vines in southern Chile as well as new vines in the emerging region of Malleco.
Pandolfi Price
One of the modern producers of Itata who has really put it on the map international, Pandolfi Price is a family winery with a focus on premium Chardonnay as well as Pinot Noir, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc.
Riveras del Chillán
Gonzalo Chandía Tolosa is a third generation vintner in Itata with 65 hectares of vines. His wines reflect the new direction of the family wine production, into adventurous styles of artisanal wines made from old vines.
Lomas de Llahuén
Brothers Francisco and Gustavo Riffo started this family winery in Itata, and today Lomas de Llahuén has an interesting focus on making traditional pipeño wines from old vines in native raulí pipas.
Berta
Berta is a family winery in Itata founded in 1997 with 87 hectares of vines on the riverbanks of River Ñuble. The family have quite a large portfolio of wines ranging from sparkling to still.
Tinto de Rulo
This boutique wine project from two friends in Itata and Maule is focused on making natural wines from old vines. The wines are artisanal in style and scale but show the great potential of old vine Malbec and Carignan among other varieties.
To find out more about Sur Chileno, you can visit their website surchileno.cl and watch this video: