Driven by his passion for these unique lands, Víctor Pino Torche commissioned studies by Alberto Antonini, a renowned Italian consultant active in the Uco Valley, just across the Maipo Canyon. After several years, vineyards were planted on different terraces of the canyon, at varying altitudes, with the aim of enhancing elegance according to the character of each variety and each site. Cabernet Sauvignon became dominant, while other varieties have been gradually introduced over time.
This is where the winery is located, with vineyards planted on the former bed of the Clarillo River, characterized by its sandy component. It is one of the highest-altitude vineyard sites in the Maipo Valley, although it sits on the lowest terrace among CASAFÈVRE’s vineyard holdings. Four varieties from the ESPINO GRAN RESERVA range originate here, depending on the different parcelled lots: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Carmenère, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
This vineyard is surrounded by our walnut trees, as is the case in many of our estates. Here, however, part of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon for our CUVÉE PIRQUE is produced. It lies at the piedmont of the Andes, where the Pirque Valley comes to an end, very close to Castillo Las Majadas—the former residence of Francisco Subercaseaux Vicuña, who commissioned its construction in the early 20th century.
In this estate, the finest grapes for our top wine, CHACAI, are harvested from the La Negra vineyard. Yes—the darkest and most concentrated fruit, from vineyards that are several decades old, now mature and seasoned with time. Here begins the adventure in the Maipo Canyon, with terraces ranging from the riverbed—its stones rounded by rushing waters—to steep slopes filled with fractured rocks rich in mineral expression.
This remarkably flavorful fruit, which can only be eaten with local skill, gave its name to this unique estate. A branch of the Maipo River left behind a wide range of soil components, which we used to plant a true garden of varieties. Of course, we planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, but the volcanic elements also brought other guests to the party: Tempranillo, Syrah, and Carignan.
Final stop on our journey toward the Argentine border: we leave Pirque and arrive in San José de Maipo. The river canyon narrows here, giving the vineyard its name, Boca Chica. This is a fiercely protected place, shaped by strong winds and extreme cold. Some of the stones removed to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc were larger than the machines used to move them. The quillay trees stand as witnesses that nature rules here, and humankind submits to what it chooses to give us—a miracle in the bottle.
