Colchagua Valley, Chile
Locks 181 and 185 in the Ninquén vineyard in Colchagua Valley, between Chile’s Coastal Range and the Andes. Soil here is rich in clay, strewn with rocks and stones. 7-year-old vines trellised using vertical shoot positioning. Wine maker notes Grapes are handpicked at the end of April and subjected to a cold soak over 4 days. Whole berries are fermented on the skins and remain in contact with the skins for 26 days. The wine is aged 18 months in new French oak barrels before bottling.
Food pairing Complements red meats, poultry and hard cheeses.
Producer From the outset in 1997, the aim of MontGras’ Ninquen Project was straightforward: to produce the finest red wines in Chile.
This bold mission was born out of an appreciation for the influence of terroir and an ambition to forge a name for MontGras in the elite ultra premium category. 222 acres of prime vineyard atop Ninquen Hill in the heart of the Colchagua Valley were selected for this venture and planted with a range of indigenous and international red varietals. With this pioneering move into hilltop viticulture, MontGras became the first winery in Chile to plant on the plateau of a hill (Ninquen = “plateau on a hill” in ancient local dialect). Owner Hernan Gras and Santiago Margozzini craft the limited production wine from this special vineyard.
