Maipu

Introduction

Bordering the southern perimeter of Santiago is the Maipo Valley. Here, over half of the 11,000-hectare production is Cabernet Sauvignon. The combination of soil, climate, 313mm average rainfall, a 26% risk of frost and extremes between very hot day and cold night temperatures enable the grapes to grow and ripen slowly giving elegant, robust and flavourful results. Many of the premium wines produced in Chile originate from grapes cultivated in this valley. Apart from the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon red grape, other varietals grown here are the red grapes of Merlot, Malbec, Carmenere and Syrah complimented by Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay representing white grapes.

About

The Maipo Wine Valley has the reputation as being one of the best-known wine-producing areas in Chile. It is, perhaps, the wine valley that has established itself as being part of Chile’s history because it is one of the first areas to have been producing Chilean red wine varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot since the late 1540’s, shortly after the time when Santiago was founded. However, it was during the 1800’s when the wealthier Chileans ventured into the wine business “because they could”. Like today whereupon very well-off businessmen will “get into wine” and have their own vineyards to produce their own wine label. Therefore, at a time when local businessmen were making their money from the mining industry, venturing into the wine business was the next step in their ability to enter the world of “gentrification”. The established vineyards of Concha y Toro (now extremely commercial), Santa Rita as well as Cousiño Macul trace their origins back to these early days.

Also, the sub areas of the Maipo Valley, such as Pirque and Puente Alto, are considered to be the “best sectors of the Valley for wine grape production” where the premium-wine vineyards of Don Melchor, Chadwick and Almaviva are located and closer to the banks of the River Maipo.

The climate here is such that summers are hot and dry, influenced a little by the cooler breezes from the Pacific, but not as much as the other valleys of Casablanca and Colchagua, therefore the “terroir” is able to produce a rich and fruit-driven Cabernet Sauvignon. More recently the varietals of Syrah and Carmenere have been cultivated here too.

The Maipo Valley can be divided into three sectors: Alto Maipo (which means higher Maipo), Central Maipo and Maipo Bajo (which means lower Maipo).

The higher (in altitude) placed vineyards are found along the base of the Andes Mountains, covering altitudes between 400 – 760m above sea level. This height enables the hot air from the sun of the summer day to be cooled at night, which, in turn keeps the maturation of the grape berries “under control” as the cool air dropping down from the Andes prevents them from getting ripe too soon. Consequently, the cultivation period of the grapes is extended, at the same time as maintaining acidity.

The sector known as Central Maipo is to the west of the “Alto” sector and on lower ground around the towns of Buin and Paine. In this area the daily temperatures in the summer are a little higher than in the “Alto” sector and, in addition, the soil here contains more clay as well as being more fertile, thus producing wine that is “not so sophisticated” as the wine from the “Alto” sector. In this area is a lot of Carmenere grape under cultivation.

The “Maipo Bajo” is the lowest-level area of the overall Maipo Valley, which covers the areas around the village of Isla de Maipo and Talagante, both settlements are to the west of the main Ruta 5, Pan-American Highway and closer to the Pacific maritime cool-breeze influence.

The wineries located in this area, such as Undurraga and the De Martino family are wine makers that are more focussed on the production of wine as opposed to the importance of the “terroir” and in their wine-making process they incorporate grapes for various parts of the country. However, closer to the River Maipo where the air is cooler the cultivation of some white wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon has proved successful.

Grapes

Along with any wine-producing valley, different grapes will perform better in some parts of a valley than other parts, due to altitude, soil, moisture and the amount of sun falling on the area. In the Maipo Valley the dominate grapes are the red varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Carmenere. However, in the areas where the air is cooler there is also Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, but these two varietals are very much in the minority.

Climate, Weather & Soil

The soil in the Maipo Valley has been brought down from the Andes over hundreds of thousands of years (or more) by land falls and water, together formulating a soil platform that is quite rocky compared to a valley that has soil created only from river sediment. The result of this is that the land is not especially fertile, and the vine roots need to work to get down into the ground seeking moisture and nutrients. This is a positive situation for wine producers because when this occurs the grape berries that are produced are smaller, but they contain a higher concentration of sugar and acids. The end result is a quality wine.

The summer days in the Maipo Valley are hot and dry, with cool nights and mornings. There is little rain during the summer.

Wine Tours and Tasting

Here at ExperienceChile.Org we will be pleased to include in your overall travel itinerary a custom program in the Maipo Wine Valley that fits your needs.

Obviously, there is always the option of a rent a car and you drive yourself to the wineries, however, most people prefer to be driven, relax and enjoy everything as much as possible.

Within the Maipo Wine Valley are these principal wineries that offer tastings and tours (as well as others not listed here):

Concha y Toro
This is a famous vineyard due to a very successful marketing and wine distribution campaign. In many countries such as the UK, USA and China, a bottle of Concha y Toro can be found in the supermarket wine sector. Consequently, there are large tour parties that now frequent this vineyard.

Santa Rita
One of the historically classic vineyards of Chile that also offers accommodation (see our Wine Accommodation Partners below). Tours, tastings and a restaurant are on offer here.

Haras de Pirque (Private Visits Only)
A small winery nestled a little way up the sides of one of the Andes foothills. The main building is shaped in the form of a horseshoe when viewed from above. This is not an accident. The Matte family who started the vineyard were also in the race-horse breeding business and wanted to link their passion for horse breeding to wine. Therefore, building the wine-making facility in the form of a horse shoe was the ideal way to link the two passions.

The building has been constructed into the hill whereby the higher levels are connected to the lower levels by a series of steps. Gravity allows the wine in the tanks to travel downhill from one part of the production process to the other.

Within the heart of the complex, at the lowest level is an artistically-created and impressive cellar with a central tasting area, above which is a transparent ceiling allowing for natural light to pierce through the otherwise unlit underground arena of wine barrels.

From the exterior terrace is a fine view out over the vineyard and valley below.