Cacique Maravilla, Vino Naranja 2020

Producer Profile: Cacique Maravilla’s first vintage - in 2010 - coincided with one of the worst earthquakes in recorded human history. Much of the winery and machinery were destroyed in the tragedy though somehow he was able to salvage enough grapes, must, juice, and equipment to achieve a first vintage at all. Ever since, he has made wine that follows suit: of minimal intervention and minimal equipment, with all attention paid to the vines, grapes, and allowing nature to run its course. Manuel Moraga Gutierrez, a seventh (!) generation winemaker, is the man behind the estate. He tends 16 hectares of pre-phylloxera (that’s 250+ years-old, folks) vines atop volcanic soil around Yumbel located in central Chile’s BioBío Valley - a particularly spectacular region amidst a gobsmackingly gorgeous landscape. Here two of Chile’s five natural regions are split by the BioBío river, that is, the river forms the northern boundary of Chile’s Zona Sur and, by default, the southern boundary of the Zona Central. Beautiful wines made here, right in the heart of the world it seems.

Vinification: 100% Muscat of Alexandria from organically-farmed vines planted in 1776. Grapes are hand-picked and then fermented with native yeasts, on the skins, for two months in old barrels. Bottled unfined, unfiltered and no SO2.

Tasting: Very aromatic! Aromas of honeysuckle mixes with citrus fruits and mango. Light bodied and ever-so-slightly cloudy in the glass. Serve cold as an aperitivo on a warm day (Spring approaches!!).