Grape stomping during the 2008 wine harvest festival in Isla de Maipo.
© islademaipo.cl
by Marcela Torres
March and April are the wine harvest
(“vendimia”) months in Chile and all wine-producing regions hold festivities to
celebrate and promote new lines of wine of participating vineyards. This is a
great opportunity to learn about the country’s sustainable wineries and taste
some of their best organic wines.
Sustainable Wineries
Last year, the wine industry in Chile began
applying the National Sustainability Code, established by the Sustainability Program of the Wines of Chile trade association, together with the Vinnova and
Tecnovid technology consortia.
Companies that apply to this certification
process must undergo an evaluation of different sustainability practices and
procedures throughout the Chilean wine’s value chain, focusing on three
dimensions: “Green-Vineyard”, “Red-Cellar” and “Orange-Community”. So far, 20
wineries have received “green” certification and are allowed to use the 2011
sustainable management seal. These are: Anakena, Arboleda, Caliterra,
Casa Silva, Cremaschi Furlotti, Emiliana, Errázuriz, Montes, MontGras, Santa
Cruz, Santa Ema, Santa Rita, Ventisquero, Vía Wines, Miguel Torres, Maquis,
Pérez Cruz, Carmen, Nativa y Sur Andino.
This is a big step for the wine industry in
Chile, which last year saw its exports increase in 9.6% compared to 2010. The
main destination markets were the European Union and Asia, which concentrated
41% and 16.6% of total exports, respectively.
Festival Calendar
Although some festivities have already been
carried out, in the Colchagua Valley and Chillan, there are still other
celebrations programmed for people who want to enjoy these events, which
besides wines include handicraft exhibits, typical food, live music and some
local traditions such as grape stomping.
March 23rd through 25th:
Fiesta de la Vendimia de Curicó, Maule Valley.
March 24th: Fiesta de la
Vendimia de Rengo, Cachapoal Valley.
March 30th and 31st: Boulevard del Vino en
Talca, Maule Valley.
March 31st and April 1st:
Fiesta de la Vendimia de Peralillo, Colchagua Valley.
April 13th through 15th: X
Fiesta de la Vendimia del Valle del Maipo, en Buin.
April 14th and 15th: Fiesta de
la Vendimia de Isla de Maipo, Maipo Valley.
Enjoy! Cheers!
This entry was originally posted by the author on March 14, 2012.
