Matetic vineyards embody the pioneering spirit and vision of modern Chilean winemaking. This biodynamic project was founded in 1999 by the Matetic family, originally Croatian settlers who arrived in Chilean Patagonia in 1892. They went on to develop 120 hectares of vineyard in the coastal El Rosario Valley of San Antonio before branching out into the Colchagua Valley. Today, they farm 160 hectares of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards, focusing on cool-climate varieties. The vineyard is treated as one organism, with the application of biodynamic compost (all of which is made on the estate), seeding cover crops, and cultivation between the rows. Geese and ducks do their work to control pests and limit undergrowth.
The winery was designed in collaboration with the architect Lawrence Odfjell and built in 2004 and relies on a gravitational flow design that optimises management of the grapes brought in from the nearby vineyards, which complements the organic and biodynamic principles that are followed at the estate.
The “Coralillo” range focuses on upfront and pure varietal expression. Their Garnacha (Grenache) is a new release in this range. The grapes come from Matetic’s 1.2 hectare Santa Tornás vineyard in the San Antonio Valley, just 18km from the sea. The vineyard was planted in 2017 on granite soils.
Hand harvested grapes, a proportion of whole bunch was included and the wine was fermented with wild yeasts and then aged in second, third, fourth fill French barrels for 14 months.
The Corralillo Garnacha shows grenache at its most vibrant. All the English summer fruits in a glass – lovely mix of raspberry, cherry and blackberry fruits, touch of earthiness, with a dusting of tannins, fresh and juicy in style with a lick of soft spice.
