Luis Felipe Edwards buys 700ha in Colchagua

Chilean winery Luis Felipe Edwards has acquired 700 hectares of vineyard bordering the Nilahue estuary in the coastal Colchagua Valley.

Luis Felipe Edwards, Colchagua: ‘…develop a wider range of styles’

The cool-climate vineyard, planted mainly to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, lies 56km from the Pacific Ocean at Pumanque, 45km from Santa Cruz.

Soils are largely granite- and clay loam-based, with Malbec, Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Grigio planted in lower altitude areas.

Eugenio Cox, head viticulturist at Luis Felipe Edwards, described Pumanque as ‘unique’, thanks to its combination of complex, poor soils, a strong coastal influence and low summer temperatures, allowing slow grape maturation.

This led, he added, to a ‘remarkable’ concentration of fruit, colour, aroma and flavour, as well as excellent natural acidity for a number of grape varieties.

Luis Felipe Edwards consulted international experts in a detailed study of the area, taking into account the vineyards’ orientation to the sun, wind direction and strength, and hours of sunshine.

‘Our vineyard investment here is remarkable for both its size and its unique location within Chile,’ the company said.

‘It demonstrates our commitment to discovering more quality regions so that we can develop an even wider range of styles in our various brands.’

Luis Felipe Edwards plans to double the current size of its vineyard holdings, continuing a growth plan that has already seen the planting of 150ha of vineyards at an altitude of 900m elsewhere in the Colchagua Valley, plus 160ha in Leyda Valley and 400ha in the Retiro area of Maule Valley.

Written by Richard Woodard