The terroir

DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE CHILEAN TERROIR

DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE CHILEAN TERROIR

Mapu wines are made from grapes grown on vines that have been cultivated in the Maule Valley for hundreds of years.

Located at the southern end of the Central Valley, 250 km south of Santiago, the Maule Valley is not only Chile’s largest winegrowing region but also one of the oldest. It takes its name from the river Maule.

Halfway between Santiago and the southern tip of the Chilean vineyard, the Maule Valley is under the influence of a Mediterranean climate which brings heavy rainfall in winter.

Hot, sunny days during the dry season alternate with cool nights due to the cold wind that blows down from the Andes Mountains. The great difference between day- and night-time temperatures allows the grapes to ripen slowly, yielding balanced, fruit-forward and high-quality wines.

After years of searching, Baron Philippe de Rothschild acquired the Villavicencio estate, ideally situated in the heart of the Maule Valley. The property offers a wide variety of terroirs and grape varieties, fully expressing all the intensity of its Chilean identity.

13 different grape varieties are grown in the 283-hectare Villavicencio vineyard. The oldest plots were planted over 120 years ago with Pais and Carignan grapes, varieties originally imported by Spanish missionaries to make communion wine.

The vineyards have been extensively restructured over the years, in three successive waves, the most recent in 2019-2020.
Each grape variety can now be grown in conditions best suited to expressing its full potential while respecting the soul and authenticity of the terroir, producing elegant, powerful and generous wines.