Tell me more about Matetic’s location and climateWhile Rosario Valley is part of the San Antonio Valley, our vineyards are just on the border between San Antonio in the north, and Casablanca to the south. Our vineyards are located between 13 and 19km from the Pacific Ocean, which is cooled by the frigid Humboldt Current flowing up the coast from Antarctica. Though the vineyards share an altitude of 260 meters, those closest to the ocean are noticeably cooler and windier, with the Sauvignon Blanc, for example, ripening 10-15 days later than our inland sites.Rosario has a Mediterranean climate, with approximately 400mm of rainfall a year, falling mainly in winter, so we need to supplement the rain with irrigation during the dry season which generally runs from October to May. The dry climate also lessens disease pressure which is critical to our biodynamic viticulture.How did you get into winemaking, and make it a career in Chile?Going way back, my family had a mission grape (Pais) vineyard for many generations, so wine was on our tables since I can remember. My grandfather used to make wine from these grapes for the family. It was a really old-fashioned style of winemaking, everything was natural. It was really important to me and part of my DNA of what I could do in life.To get into winemaking in Chile, first you need to go to college to get an agricultural degree. I did a year of research at university, then got a degree in viticulture. In Chile there is an American family called the Kingstons, who were developing a cellar (winery) and were looking for someone to go to California to acquire knowledge of Californian-style viticulture. I spent 18 months in California on this fellowship, where I worked with a consultant crushing Pinot Noir for different producers, especially in Napa. It was a great experience and a fantastic opportunity. Then in 2001 I met the head winemaker at Matetic, and he offered me a job as a winemaker. So I started here in 2002.We were mainly making reds. I received training on Carmenere and Sauvignon Blanc, and we worked to develop our own style, by looking at the natural conditions in Rosario Valley. It is a beautiful spot for growing Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.How did Matetic and its unique style come about?When the Matetic family, who came to Chile from what is now Croatia at the end of the 19th century, bought this property of 16,000 hectares in the late 70s, their interest was raising cattle. On the back of the property they found the Corralillo Cellar, a 100-year-old cellar for mission grapes, where they used to ferment juice to make light-coloured mission wine for the local market. We found amphora, wood vessels and manual pumps, which gave us an idea of what we could achieve on this property.The vineyards were a greenfield development, and they started planting with a large trial of different varieties. A viticulture advisor from California, Ann Kraemer, did a study of the climate and soils, and recommended developing the vineyard with cool climate varieties. She also recommended planting Syrah because of the combination of granitic soils and cool environment, to develop a style which is very different from the jammy ripe Australian wines. As a result of the trial, we found the area was too cool for both Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere.Matetic: Four estate vineyardsMatetic has a winery and four vineyards in the Rosario Valley. Spread between 13 and 19 kilometers from the ocean, at an altitude of 260 meters, these vineyards have a range of soils and orientations. All vineyards are organically and biodynamically cultivated and are certified by Ecocert and Demeter.❶ Valle Hermoso VineyardAppellation: Casablanca Valley13 km from the Pacific OceanArea: 27 hectaresPlanted: 2007Soil: Decomposed grey granite with a high content of iron-rich black mica and volcanic tuff.Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir❷ Santo Tomás VineyardAppellation: Casablanca Valley18 km from the Pacific OceanArea: 41 hectaresPlanted: 2005Soil: Weathered red granite mixed with green volcanic tuff and rich in quartz crystals and some carbonates.Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Franc❸ La Casona VineyardAppellation: San Antonio Valley13 km from the Pacific OceanArea: 47 hectaresPlanted: 2005Soil: Decomposed grey granite with a high content of iron-rich black mica and volcanic tuff.Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc❹ El Rosario VineyardAppellation: San Antonio Valley19 km from the Pacific OceanArea: 67 hectaresPlanted: 1999Soil: Weathered red granite with an upper layer of quartz clay mixed with quartz crystals and volcanic tuff over granitic bedrock.Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Cabernet FrancCool climate Syrah is your flagship. Was Syrah a new variety for Chile?Syrah arrived in Chile in the early 90s, mainly because of Australian success in the American market, so it was planted in Colchagua Valley, a warmer location, using Australian selections. We used French clonal material, so our style was completely different from the start. It was very successful in showing a different character of Syrah, more floral, spicy, juicy, nicer acidity, and denser. All our Syrah is in this style, so we opened up this new category in Chile for coastal/cool climate wines.The 2004 EQ Syrah (now EQ Cool Climate Syrah) was the first Chilean Syrah to be named to Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines in 2006, and the 2012 EQ Syrah won the world’s highest trophy in the biodynamic wine category at the 2015 International Wine Challenge in London.How do you differentiate the two ranges – Corralillo and EQ?When we did the large soil and climate study many years ago, we categorized each of our blocks, especially by differences in the soil, clone and rootstocks. Our approach to Corralillo is drinkability and expression of the variety. Then EQ is a special selection of premium blocks, with more consistency, layers and complexity. So deeper wines are the focus.As an example, the Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc is a really upfront Sauvignon Blanc with vibrant acidity, while for the EQ tier Sauvignon Blanc we have barrel fermentation, working with the lees, amphora fermentation, and longer aging to bring more complexity to the wine. So both terroir and winemaking differences are really evident in both tiers.For the Corralillo reds, we use about 20 per cent whole cluster, while for EQ in some varieties like Pinot Noir and Syrah, it is going up to 40 or 50 per cent, and even 70 per cent in some vintages. There is more whole cluster, longer cold soak, and after fermentation we keep the juice longer, at least 21 and up to 30 days of skin contact after fermentation. Then it is 1 to 2 years in barrel before blending and bottling, and another year aging in the bottle in our warehouse to settle the wine after the filtration and the stress of bottling before release.Matetic took an organic approach almost from the beginning?Yes, it was an approach that came from the family. They didn’t know how to go about it, but wanted to focus on sustainability. They worked with Californian biodynamics consultant Alan York who brought the knowledge and training to create our own approach, to pioneer organic viticulture in Chile. We planted our first vineyard in 1999, started working with organic viticulture in 2002, received our Organic Certification in 2004, and worked with Alan over the years to complete Demeter biodynamic certification for all 160 hectares of vineyards in 2013. At the same time, the family initiated a comprehensive commitment to sustainability, covering the vineyard, water and energy use, recycling, and packaging, as well as local community projects.What is your philosophy in the winery?We have a modern gravity-flow winery that was built in 2004, which allows for delicate handling of the grapes at every stage of the process, with all the tools and technology we need in terms of equipment.However, our approach to winemaking is traditional, with low intervention, adhering to traditional winemaking methods with natural yeast and spontaneous fermentation, and aging in French oak.What does the future hold?The property is quite big, so we could plant more vineyards but we don’t have the water. We need to share the water with the 40 hectares of blueberries and also the cattle that we have. Water is always a limited resource we need to apply really wisely. So we are looking to maintain this project at 40-50,000 cases.Currently, we are refocusing on the quality and the yields coming out of the vineyards, as current nurseries and technology are helping us make better selections of clones and rootstocks. We replant 5-7 hectares every two years, so over 10 years we will replant 50-60 hectares.Pinot Noir genetics in the old days were really bad, so we replanted Pinot Noir five years and again two years ago, and both yields and fruit expression are very different. Rootstock like 110R or Paulsen give us the flexibility to go deeper into the soil faster, which is ideal for varieties like Pinot Noir which have a really weak root system. So it is another tool and resource that we have. The virus free plants are also a big change.We are using the classic clones, and also introducing new clones to give us different expressions that we don’t have now, especially for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.At the same time, all our organic knowledge, how we treat the land before planting, for example using cover crops, adding more compost, and preparing the soil properly, gives us another step in terms of successfully developing the vines.I’d just like to mention we also offer boutique accommodation and fine dining in our restaurant at the winery. It’s the perfect place to taste and understand the essence of our wines.<<Pick Up Wine>>Matetic Corralillo Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Screw Cap)Code: 12741 San Antonio Valley, ChileSauvignon Blanc 100%Alc.13.7%RRP incl. tax ¥2,200Aromas of grapefruit and lime with herbs and minerals. A refreshing balance of fruit and acidity, with a subtle hint of saltiness. Hand-picked grapes were fermented at low temperature for 30 days and aged on the lees for three months. Due to the cool weather, the berry size was small, resulting in one of the most concentrated wines in recent years.Matetic Corralillo Pinot Noir 2022 (Screw Cap)Code: 12740 Casablanca Valley, Chile Pinot NoirAlc.13.5%RRP incl. tax ¥4,125Strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry complemented by a pleasant spice. Juicy fruit with a lively acidity and soft tannins. Hand-picked grapes were aged for 11 months in French oak barrels. 2022 was generally cool, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly.Matetic Corralillo Syrah 2021Code: 12742 San Antonio Valley, ChileSyrahAlc.14.0%RRP incl. tax ¥4,125Aromas of violets and red fruits with pepper, chocolate, and oak-derived spices. The palate is soft, with rich fruit flavours balanced by fine tannins, leading to a complex finish. Hand-picked grapes were spontaneously fermented and aged for 16 months in French oak.Matetic EQ Coastal Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (Screw Cap)Code: 13061 Casablanca Valley, ChileSauvignon BlancAlc.13.6%RRP incl. tax ¥3,300Complex aromas of citrus, white fruits, fig leaf, and herbs. The concentrated fruitiness is tempered by a salty acidity, resulting in a delicate, vibrant finish. The grapes were pressed in an oxygen-free atmosphere using inert gas to preserve the aromas. Aged for four months on lees.Matetic EQ Granite Pinot Noir 2019Code: 12743 Casablanca Valley, ChilePinot NoirAlc.14.0%RRP incl. tax ¥7,040High acidity and firm minerality typical of a cool climate Syrah. The attack is powerful, with pure fruit and mineral notes of iron and iodine coating the palate in a mellow manner. Hand-picked grapes were spontaneously fermented (35% whole-cluster) and aged for 12 months in French oak.Matetic EQ Cool Climate Syrah 2018Code: 13063 San Antonio Valley, ChileSyrahAlc.14.3%RRP incl. tax ¥7,040Delicate floral aromas of black fruit and violets blend with complex notes of pepper and earth. The concentrated fruit is complemented by bright acidity, creating a refined palate. Hand-picked grapes were vinified by plot and clone. Spontaneous fermentation and aging in French oak for 18-20 months.