Chile’s winemakers appear to have got away with only a few cracked vats following the powerful earthquake that struck near to Coquimbo and has killed 10 people.
Trade body Wines of Chile said that early reports suggest the industry has not been badly affected by the earthquake, which also saw 1m people forced to leave their homes.
Wines of Chile has been contacting the wineries in the area near La Serena – close to the earthquake’s epicentre – where they said damage is minimal.
Anita Jackson, UK Director of Wines of Chile said, ‘Amazingly apart from some buckled stainless steel tank legs, some cracks in other tanks, there has been a minimum loss of wine.’
Wineries south of the epicentre have reported the same.
However, Wines of Chile is still continuing to gather information on the situation, with the help of the wineries in the association.
The vineyards and wineries have been able to continue to work in normal conditions since the earthquake, which is due to the high standard of construction and technology Chilean wineries have, Wines of Chile said.
Chile is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
Jackson said, ‘Today (September 18th) is Chile’s Independence Day (Dieciocho Day), it’s a public holiday so the nation will still try and celebrate despite the earthquake. We should raise a class to them, for their staunch attitude, they amaze me with their shaken but not broken attitude.’
