Veramonte Pursues Pinot Noir Perfection
Veramonte first planted Pinot Noir at the winery in the late 1990s convinced that it had the potential to be a great region for Pinot. Over nearly 10 years, they have experimented in the winery and vineyards using viticulture and winemaking techniques learned from the best Pinot Noir producing regions and winemakers in the world.
Pinot Noir at the Veramonte Estate
On the Veramonte estate, 46 acres are planted to Pinot Noir, including 5 acres of organically farmed plantings, in the coolest areas of the 1100 acre vineyard estate. In the next two years, more than 100 additional acres will be planted using new clones and selections including Dijon 777 and 115, not widely planted in Chile today.
Veramonte’s viticulturalist chooses the estate’s loamy soils with sand and good drainage close to the winery in a cool, lower elevation plateau that enjoys morning fog several times a week and is cooled in the afternoon by winds from the Pacific. Vines are densely planted at and plants at 2000 vines per acre and vines are managed to one cluster per shoot, yielding fewer than four tons per acre. The vineyards enjoy a variety of sun exposures and canopies are managed carefully to avoid sunburn and create even ripening.
While Casablanca has proven its excellence in Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir is now the region’s up-and-coming grape varietal. Today, nearly 1000 acres of Pinot Noir is planted in Chile’s Casablanca Valley and that number is increasing steadily. With world demand skyrocketing, and new clones, viticulture techniques and international collaboration between Chile and the world’s most experienced Pinot Noir winemakers, Pinot Noir is poised to make its mark in Casablanca and other cool growing regions of Chile.
Casablanca Valley is greatly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, which is less than 20 miles from the Veramonte Estate. Early morning fog and afternoon breezes provide moderate temperatures and a touch of humidity that Pinot Noir craves. The moderate temperatures last through the summer and harvest season, allowing the grapes to develop slowly and evenly, with a long hang-time that helps concentrate flavors and intensity in the grapes.
Pinot Noir from Casablanca Valley tends to exude power, richness and an intensity of deep color.
WINEMAKING
American winemaker Paul Hobbs, known for producing highly acclaimed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in California’s best regions, began consulting with the Veramonte winemaking team on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the 2006 vintage. Hobbs was immediately impressed with Veramonte, calling it a pioneering project for Pinot Noir in Chile as the winery is one of a small number with such an investment in this varietal. He is also quick to recognize the winery’s commitment to producing top quality Pinot Noir, its investments in the vineyards and winery, and the talent of the viticultural and winemaking team.
Hobbs and the Veramonte team are night harvesting and introduced wild-yeast fermentations in the cellars. In the winery, Pinot Noir recieves extended cold soaks and the winemkaing teams pay careful attention to fine-tuning the tannin structure for elegance and finesse.
