Casablanca Valley Wine Guide

 

Casablanca Valley is the pionnier of coastal viticulture in Chile and produces great white wines thanks to its cooler climate.

In the south of the region Aconcagua, Casablanca Valley spreads on 19 miles (30 kilometres), located 60 miles (100 km) of Santiago. The first vineyards were planted around the industrial city of Casablanca during the renaissance of the Chilean viticulture in the 1980's. However, the water restrictions brought to a halt the expansion of the vines.

Near the Pacific Ocean, the region is affected by the cold currents from Antarctic. Its proximity to the equator does not prevent the growing of vine thanks to the cool maritime winds. So Casablanca Valley is one of the cooler regions in the north of Chile. The morning fog tempers the heat and   brings water to the arid lands. The breeze clears the sky, allowing the sun to ripe the grape. But the region is susceptible to spring frost.

Usually optimal for growing vine, the sandy clay soils have upset the winemakers in Casablanca Valley because nematodes, microscopic worms that fed on the roots of vine, thrive on this particular soil. So the producers had to graft vines onto resistant rootstocks.

Casablanca Valley has important similarities with California's Napa Valley which led to the signature of a viticultural alliance in 2002.

Grape varieties in Casablanca Valley

Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are used to make the famous crisp, balanced white wines of the valley, with their rich flavors of tropical fruits. These days, the aromatic varieties like Viognier, Gewurztraminer or Riesling are spreading out on the cooler sites.

Casablanca Valley is the birthplace of the Chilean Pinot Noir, producing ripe red wines with light aromas. The warmer and more elevated vineyards grow with some success Merlot, Syrah and Carménère.

Best producers in Casablanca Valley

De Martino and Casa Lapostolle are some of the most famous wine producer of Casablanca Valley.

Concha Y Toro was the first wine company to make the high-quality white wines here. The wine estate Cono Sur is well-known for its Pinot Noir similar to the Burgundy wines.