Lomas de Llahuén
Lomas de Llahuén is in the heart of Portezuela and was founded in 1986 by brothers Francisco and Gustavo Riffo who have fought tooth and nail to bring the heritage of their local Pipeño wines back into the limelight.
Lomas de Llahuén is an (as of yet!) undiscovered gem in Itata. Their human scale, family vineyard and winery is worth hunting for while in Itata.
About Lomas de Llahuén winery
Lomas de Llahuén was founded over 35 years ago as a small project in order to make local wines and revalue the traditional varieties and old vines of Itata. Brothers Francisco and Gustavo Riffo started out making just 600 litres of wine using the native raulí wood pipas for fermentation and selling the wines by the glass damajuana.
Over the years, the family have built up their reputation and resources in order to become a boutique winery working with over 20 hectares of vineyards and now incorporating the younger generation of the family.
Lomas de Llahuén
About the Lomas de Llahuén vineyards
Working with 20 hectares of their own vines, Lomas de Llahuén has old vines of País, Cinsault and Moscatel de Alejandría. They also have some newer vines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and Chardonnay. Some of the País vines are over 100 years old.
The vineyards are in the Portezuelo region of Itata, where there are a handful of small local producers bringing new energy to a traditional region.
Lomas de Llahuén wines
DAMA JUANA PIPEÑO
Their Dama Juana Pipeño is a great example of País made in the traditional way — juicy, wild and utterly gluggable. Made in raulí pipas and worth chilling down to drink by the bottle.
CINSAULT DEL CERRO
This is a full-bodied Cinsault which reflects the warmer sub-zone of Portezuelo and comes from old vines in the region.
LATE HARVEST MOSCATEL DE ALEJANDRIA
Their sweet late harvest Moscatel de Alejandría is a floral and spicy white wine, best served chilled and with local cheese and chutney.
About the winemaker, Gustavo Riffo
Gustavo Riffo is in charge of the winemaking and focuses on using the traditional varieties of the region and reflecting the typical style of Pipeño wines. The País wines of Lomas de Llahuén are aged in typical raulí pipas which give them a slightly wild mountain forest note.
Visiting Lomas de Llahuén
You can visit Lomas de Llahuén winery and vineyard with advanced reservations and spend the afternoon with Gustavo Riffo. A visit includes a tour through the old vines of País (which are over 100 years old), and a tasting on a special lookout spot on the hillside with a plate of local charcuterie. You can also visit their cellar.