One of the largest and oldest wineries in Chile, Undurraga has an impressive portfolio of wines ranging from the interesting Terroir Hunter series focusing on location-specific wines from around Chile, through to their sparkling wines for which they are one of the leaders in Chile.

Although they source grapes from the entire length of Chile, you’ll find their winery in Maipo – just an hour outside of Santiago. Founded in 1885 by Francisco Undurraga, the winery has a beautiful historic garden outside with large and impressive trees that were planted over a hundred years ago. The winery itself is more modern, keeping up with the high demand for their wines and sparkling wines which are popular in Chile and exported around the world.

See also: Bodega Volcanes de Chile

 

About Viña Undurraga

One of Chile’s great historic estates, Undurraga was founded in 1885 by Don Francisco Undurraga Vicuña and has grown over time to become one of Chile’s leading producers today. Don Francisco planted his vineyards with grapevines he brought from Europe, particularly from the Rhin in Germany and Bordeaux in France, and also brought oak barrels from Bosnia and the US. In 1903, Viña Undurraga became the first winery to export to the US and was able to sell its Pinot Noir in all 45 states at the time.

In 1975, the winery decided to start producing sparkling wines and has helped grow and de-seasonalise the consumption of sparkling wine. In 2006, the Undurraga family sold the winery to the Picciotto and Yuraszeck families, who decided to invest in vineyards all over Chile and new winemaking equipment for the winery.

Viña Undurraga is certified as sustainable according to the Sustainability Code from Wines of Chile and is in the process of joining IWCA (International Wineries for Climate Action).

 

About the Viña Undurraga vineyards

With over 1,200 hectares under vine in diverse wine regions around Chile, although the winery is in Maipo, the portfolio very much spans the whole Central Valley: Maipo Valley (Santa Ana de Talagante vineyard), Alto Maipo (La Higuera vineyard), Colchagua (Colchagua vineyard), Leyda in San Antonio (Lomas de Leyda vineyard) and Maule (Cauquenes vineyard).

Each of these vineyards offer different microclimates and specific soil types necessary for the grape varieties grown.

CAUQUENES

This vineyard has 146 hectares and is located in Maule Valley, 350 km south of Santiago. This region is characterized by a wide temperature range in summer, with warm and dry days and cooler nights. The autumn tends to be cooler and humid. Cauquenes grows red grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Carménère, Grenache, Petit Verdot, Carignan, Tempranillo and Mouvedre, and white grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne.

LEYDA

Leyda in San Antonio is a vineyard of 169 hectares and is located on the coastal range, 90 km west of Santiago and 14 km away from the Pacific Ocean. This vineyard is characterized by having a strong marine influence due to its proximity to the Pacific. Within this vineyard, there are vines of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Gris and Viognier.

SANTA ANA

Santa Ana vineyard has 55 hectares and is located in Maipo Valley, close to Talagante city. Maipo Valley is known for having excellent climatic conditions for growing red grape varieties. Santa Ana grows primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah as well as Chardonnay.

COLCHAGUA

Colchagua valley is one of Chile’s best known wine regions spanning from the coast to the Andes. The Colchagua vineyard has 169 hectares planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.

 

 

Viña Undurraga wines

Under the hand of winemaker Rafael Urrejola, there are some real gems to seek out in Undurraga’s cellar. A personal favourite is the Terroir Hunter range, where you’ll find some excellent expressions of some of Chile’s key wine regions and varieties including pitch perfect Riesling from Lo Abraca, spicy Carmenère from Peumo and a duo of juicy Pinot Noirs comparing Malleco and Leyda. Pinot Noir is one of Urrejola’s specialities as the iconic Trama wine and excellent traditional method sparkling Titillum also prove, but there’s no lack of variety to discover within Undurraga.

ALTAZOR

Altazor is Viña Undurraga’s top wine, a concentrated and ageworthy blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Carmenère (7%) and Carignan (3%).

TRAMA

Trama is an elegant Pinot Noir that looks to reflect its place of origin, San Antonio Valley, and is one of the top wines of the winery.

VIGNO

Vigno is a fresh and complex red blend made with 88% Carignan and 12% Cinsault, all from old vines in Chile’s south. This wine has an aging potential of around five to six years.

FOUNDER’S COLLECTION

Founder’s Collection is Viña Undurraga’s well-known portfolio of premium wines. Within this line, there is the Founder’s Collection Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Valley and the Founder’s Collection Carmenère from Colchagua.

T.H. TERROIR HUNTER

The Terroir Hunter range is one of the most adventurous lines within the portfolio, all focused on unique expressions of varieties from around Chile’s wine regions. It includes some excellent expressions of some of Chile’s key wine regions and varieties.

SIBARIS & ALIWEN & U

Sibaris is Undurraga’s Gran Reserva line, and Aliwen is Undurraga’s Reserva line. They include mainly varietal wines from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and some blends. U by Undurraga are easy-to-drink, everyday wines focused on attracting new wine consumers.

TITILLUM

Titillum are some of Chile’s top quality sparkling wines, both made in traditional method with secondary fermentation in the bottle. Titillum Original is a made from 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir from the vineyard in Leyda and Titillum Millesime is a 100% Pinot Noir that reflects the marine influence of the Pacific Ocean on the vineyard.

RED FIELD BLEND

Red Field Blend is a wine from Maule and is a blend of Malbec with small proportions of Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault and Pais. The vines are more than 60 years old, dry-farmed and treated with minimal intervention. The different grape varieties are co-fermented to add complexity and character and the wine is aged in French oak, mostly fifth-use, neutral, 500-litre barrels.

 

About the winemaker, Rafael Urrejola

Rafael Urrejola, or Rafa as most know him, is one of Chile’s most lauded and multi-talented winemakers. Acting as Chief Winemaker for Viña Undurraga, he takes charge of the entire range of wines, and has a huge canvas of terroirs and varieties to choose from.

Although he oversees the winemaking team in sparkling, sweet and Undurraga’s entry-level wines, his particular focus is on the premium ranges of Altazor, Trama, Founder’s Collection, and T.H. Terroir Hunter.

It is in the T.H. range where we see his talent for different styles and varieties come to the fore, and it was precisely through this range that he rose the ranks from his initial position as winemaker for T.H. in 2007, before becoming Chief Winemaker for Undurraga winery in 2013.

Prior to working with Undurraga, Rafa worked as chief winemaker at Viña Leyda, helping develop the viticulture in San Antonio and Leyda Valley. After graduating from the Universidad Católica, he did harvests in many wine regions around the world including Carneros and Santa Barbara in California, Meursault in Burgundy, and Alsace.

He is frequently awarded and highlighted by critics, and in 2023 was chosen as Red Winemaker of the Year by the International Wine Challenge.

 

Visiting Viña Undurraga

Viña Undurraga offers guided visits through the vineyards and winery, tastings and a visit to the Museum Mapuche Andino every day from 10 am to 3 pm. One of the highlights of visiting the winery is also the handsome garden.

The winery offers three types of guided tours:

Tour Sibaris

Guided tour of approximately an hour where you will visit the winery’s garden, the Aliwen corner (where you will learn about the mapuche cosmovision), the vineyards, and finally taste four reserve wines.

Picnic

The picnic is prepared for two people in the winery’s garden. It includes a bottle of sparkling wine, a 375 ml. bottle of wine and a cheese board.

Tour Founders

Guided tour of approximately an hour and a half where you will visit winery’s garden, the Aliwen corner (where you will learn about the mapuche cosmovision), the vineyards, the aromas room and finally taste four premium wines and pair with a cheese board.

 

Viña Undurraga also has an aromas room, unique in a winery in Chile, and its wine shop open from Monday to Sunday. If you are interested in buying Viña Undurraga’s wines, you can also visit www.tiendaonline.undurraga.cl

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To book your visit you can email the winery at [email protected]

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The winery has a patio with food trucks (@gardenfoodtruck) for all those looking to have a bite before or after their visit.

 

Tasting Cauquen Garnacha from Maule with winemaker Rafael Urrejola