Morandé Wine Group

Owners: Empresas Juan Yarur
Chief Winemaker: Ricardo Baettig
Website: morandewinegroup.cl
Commercial Contact: thirsch@morande.cl


History
Morandé Wine Group has established itself as one of Chile's most prominent winemaking groups, setting a benchmark in the production of Chilean wines. The foundation of their work rests on excellence, innovation, and sustainability. The winery has developed its activities while maintaining a social, environmental, and economic balance, demonstrating a commitment to superior quality and a deep respect for the terroir in every product they create.

Morandé's passion for winemaking is evident in their dedication to quality and respect for the origin of their grapes. Every wine they produce carries a distinctive mark that captures the essence of the terroir from which it originates.

Vineyards
Casablanca Valley
Pablo Morandé, the founder of Viña Morandé, was a pioneer in planting vines in this valley, opening the doors to one of the most internationally recognised valleys for the quality of its wines. Its main geographical feature is the maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean, which produces a morning fog that moderates the temperature. This condition favours the optimal development of the vineyard, requiring special care to achieve the desired maturity.

Lo Ovalle
In this area, they have 130 hectares planted. The valley is characterised by cold winters, with maximum temperatures of 15°C and minimums of 2°C. In summer, the temperature range is wide, with minimums of 9°C and maximums of 30°C. Additionally, there are significant temperature differences between the slopes and flat areas, where frosts are common. The soils have a medium to coarse texture and are deep, being clay loam on the slopes. The elevation ranges from 274 metres in the lower area to 385 metres in the upper area. The varieties that thrive best in this area are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Malbec.

Maipo Valley
This valley has the longest winemaking tradition in Chile. It has a temperate climate, with dry and hot summers, almost free of frosts and with rainfall concentrated between April and September. Its soils, of alluvial and stony origin, have good drainage and medium fertility, favouring the development of red wines, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon. Viña Morandé has two vineyards:

Campo de Romeral
Located in Maipo Alto, it has 50 hectares planted. It is characterised by cold winters with maximums of 14.5°C and minimums of 4°C. In summer, the temperature range is wide, with minimums of 12°C and maximums of 28.5°C. Afternoons are usually cool due to the wind coming in from the Maipo River basin, which improves the health of the vineyards. The soils are of medium to high depth, with medium fertility and a loamy texture, with variability in the presence of stones, indicative of ancient Maipo Riverbeds.

Campo San Bernardo
Located in the commune of San Bernardo, at the foot of Cerro Chena, in the heart of the Maipo Valley, this vineyard was planted in 1997 with a North to South 22.5°W orientation. The pruning is double Guyot, with a production of 1 kg of grapes per plant. It has a warm temperate Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and cold winters. During the grape production period (October to April), the average maximum temperatures are 28°C and the minimums are 9°C, with a relative humidity of 50% and rainfall of less than 30 mm. The soils belong to the third alluvial terrace of the Maipo River, with a horizon of gravels and clays, crucial for the quality of Maipo wines.

Cachapoal Valley
The Cachapoal Valley is distinguished by its warm-temperate climate, with influences from the mountains that bring coolness to the grapes, intensifying their fruitiness and colour. The region enjoys a cooler climate than other valleys due to its proximity to the mountains, which favours the production of high-quality grapes. The combination of soil and climate allows for fresh and excellent quality grapes, making this region ideal for viticulture.

Campo La Moralina
Located at the foothills of the Andes, this vineyard, planted in 2009, covers almost 40 hectares. The soils are a mixture of alluvial and alluvio-colluvial, contributing to the production of wines with great finesse and structure, with high-quality tannins. Here, they primarily cultivate Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère, along with small parcels of Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah.

Maule Valley
The Maule Valley, one of the largest and most diverse wine regions in Chile, is characterised by its subhumid Mediterranean climate and notable climatic diversity. The winter rains, abundant between April and September, contrast with the dry and warm summers, with a marked diurnal temperature range, crucial for preserving acidity and developing complex aromas and flavours in the grapes. The valley's soils are varied, predominantly of alluvial and volcanic origin. In the Secano Interior, the granitic and red clay soils provide an ideal environment for low-density vineyards. Other areas feature alluvial and volcanic soils, varying in depth and fertility, from more fertile soils in flat areas to poor, well-drained soils on hills and slopes. This combination of climate and soil allows for the production of distinctive and high-quality wines.
Particularly, the Secano Interior stands out for old vineyards of varieties such as País and Carignan, with traditional methods adapted to the granitic and red clay soils. The Maule foothills are renowned for the quality of their fruity and fresh white wines, benefited by their alluvial soil and mountainous climate, which brings freshness and complexity.

Campo Santa Helena
Located in Melozal, this vineyard was planted in the 1950s with Carignan, País, and Semillon, and later grafted with Grenache and Syrah. It is distinguished by its gentle hills, poor granitic-clay soils, and head-trained or Gobelet training system for Carignan.

Campo La Constancia
Located in Pencahue, planted in the 1950s with Malbec and País. The soils are colluvial with granite in the clay matrix. The training is high-head for País and vertical trellis for Malbec.

Itata Valley
Located about 400 km south of Santiago and 50 km east of Concepción, the Itata Valley is one of Chile's oldest wine regions. It is noted for its cool and windy summer climate, which helps maintain balanced acidity in the grapes and develop refined tannins. In winter, abundant rains provide the necessary water, often eliminating the need for artificial irrigation.
The valley's soils are predominantly sandy and rich in minerals, resulting from the decomposition of granitic materials and other volcanic rocks. This mineralogical composition imparts a distinctive minerality and freshness to the wines. The well-drained sandy soils, combined with the undulating topography, favour moderate vine growth and low fertility, resulting in concentrated and high-quality grape production.
The Itata Valley is known for its century-old vineyards and traditional cultivation methods, such as head-trained or Gobelet pruning, which perfectly adapt to the valley's climatic and soil conditions. These practices, along with the influence of climate and the uniqueness of the terroir, allow for the production of wines with great character and authenticity. The historical richness and diversity of the Itata Valley, combined with its mild climate and mineral soils, make this region a gem in Chilean wine production, offering wines that faithfully reflect the identity and tradition of this land.

Ránquil
Morandé owns a vineyard in this area with 22 hectares of century-old vines planted in ravines, mainly with País, Cinsault, and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties, some of which are over 80 years old.

Wines from Morandé Wine Group