Chile, Colchagua Valley I Geography & climate

Chile…an amazing and special little corner of the world, located under the Southern Cross and capable of producing unique, distinct and memorable wines, notable for their quality.

The terroir of Colchagua is perfectly suited for the production of full-bodied, lusty red wines and is one of the few remaining wine regions that is much closer to its genesis than its full maturity in terms of its evolution. Currently there are just over a dozen Colchagua Valley wineries making premium wines from estate-grown grapes, while a handful of other wineries located elsewhere in Chile source Colchagua fruit for their best red wines. The valley also produces exceptional Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnays.

Colchagua runs approximately east to west from the Andes to the Coastal Mountains and is geographically distinct in Chile owing to its moderate climate.  This is generated by the two continuous transversal mountain ranges which define both the northern and southern limits of the valley.

This, combined with the relatively low altitude of the Coastal Mountains (500m/1,600ft) at the end of the Colchagua Valley, ensure that there is a strong ‘channeling’ effect with breezes from the Pacific Ocean or from the Andes both ‘capping’ maximum daytime temperatures and also giving very cool nights.

Vineyard I San Carlos de Cunaco

In the Santa Cruz area of Colchagua Valley, this estate represents our original vineyard. Being one of the oldest in Chile, it was established in the 19th century with pre-phylloxera stock brought from France

Planted Area:	150 ha (370 acres)
Altitude:	240 meters (800feet)
Soil Type:	Deep medium fertility topsoil with a loam to clay-loam texture
Red Varieties:	Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere
White Varieties:	Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier.
Average Age:	More than 50 years.
Vineyard Mix:	75% Red, 25%White.

Vineyard I La Capilla

In the Peralillo area of the Colchagua Valley, La Capilla. Was the result of a search for new “terroirs” to produce grapes with additional richness and special characteristics. Acquired in 1990, Viu Manent undertook the major task of soil preparation and implementation of a strategic irrigation system.

Planted Area:	50 ha (125acres)
Altitude:	230 meters (750feet)
Soil Type:	Low fertility limestone soil, slightly undulating
Red Varieties:	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere
White Varieties:	Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier.
Average Age:	More than 13 years.
Vineyard Mix:	100% Red

Vineyard I El Olivar

Located in a mountainous region of the Peralillo in the Colchagua Valley, this vineyard constitutes a new agro-climatic environment with a unique climate, soil and topography. Totaling 325 ha (800 acres), the planting of 150 ha (375 acres) will be completed by 2006. The remaining land of this estate will be maintained as a natural reserve for the native wildlife and vegetation.

Planted Area:	60 ha (125acres)
Altitude:	150-230 meters (500-930feet)
Soil Type:	Fertile ‘piedmont’ soil with a clay texture. Hills with gradients of up 45%
Red Varieties:	Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere
Average Age:	More than 4 years.

Sophenia I Winemaking

Following the advices of Michel Rolland, Finca Sophenia has made its dream true: preparing great wines, in a genuinely unique “terroir” located at the foothills of the Andes.

Finca SOPHENIA´s goals aim at the recognition as one of the top quality wine producers from Argentina.
To achieve its goals, Roberto Luka the main shareholder, put together the foundations for quality building; The People, The Terroir, The Vineyards, and The Winery.

ARGENTINA, Tupungato at the slopes of the Andes. This place encompasses an ideal microclimate for the slow ripening of fruits, with a sharp contrast between daytime and nighttime temperatures, which allows the wine to find its utmost expression. In this area, within this privileged “terroir”, Finca Sophenia’s wines are born.

This region is the highest in altitude, reaching 1,400m.a.s.l. in the North region of Tupungato. It’s situated at 34 degrees South latitude and there’s a wide temperature range between the minimum and the maximum, averaging 59F degrees. This helps red varieties to develop their tannins and good color; and whites to develop the right acidity. The soils in this region are alluvial, stony and well drained.

Varietals of excellent quality with high fruit concentration and a short wood contact in French and American oak barrels. An Argentina true representative of the New World wines.
Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec Rose, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc with the distinctive feature of being raised in high altitudes.

Altosur  Malbec
Attractive red color with violet hues. Aromas of intense ripe fruit: Cherries, blackberries, blueberries and fresh plums, combined with spicy and floral hints. In the mouth: The sweet and round tannins increase its fruit sensation and balance. Wine of good intensity and concentration and long after taste.

Altosur Cabernet
Deep red color with black fruit hues.Great aromatic intensity. Black currant and raspberry stand out with interesting eucalyptus and mint hints. In the mouth, it shows firm and voluminous tannins of great balance and concentration:

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and naturally Malbec, are the best quality varietals of Argentina, and which reach its utmost expression at Finca Sophenia.
High-concentrated wines, developing their finesse and aromatic abundance.
Left to mature during twelve months in French oak barrels and in the bottle for an equal period. Wines able to age for about ten years.

Sophenia Malbec
Intense deep red color with violets hues. Complex aromas of plums, cherries and violets. It is enhanced by the presence of dry fruits and mint hints. A wine of great concentration and complexity showing sweet and voluminous tannins

Sophenia Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep red color. Intense aromas of red and black fruits, spicy and mineral hints melt with smoke and vanilla scents, A wine with complexity, structure and great elegance