Chile

Viña Falernia

Elqui Valley

Viña Falernia was founded in 1997 by Aldo Olivier Gramola and his cousin, Giorgio Flessati, a seasoned winemaker from the Trentino region in Northern Italy. Located in the Elqui Valley, between La Serena and Vicuña, 470km to the north of Santiago, its 320 hectares are spread over three vineyard sites, and are Chile’s northernmost wine estate.

Titon vineyard produces the superb Sauvignon Blanc, with mineral quality, and the award winning Syrah Reservado, and lies at an altitude of 350m, about 20km inland. The second vineyard site lies at 500m above sea level, surrounding the new winery, 40km inland and next to the Puclaro Dam where it is substantially drier. The third vineyard is called Huente and at 2000m, will qualify as one of the highest vineyards in the world.  

The brand new winery is completely insulated and equipped with state of the art technology. Underground cellars for barrel ageing (French and American) complete the set, along with the latest bottling plant facility. Sauvignon, Syrah and Carmenère are all of world-beating quality as their regular successes at the Annual Wines of Chile Awards confirm.

These wines go from strength to strength, confirmed by their consistent performance in competitions - International Wine Challenge Great Value Red Wine Award, Decanter Chilean Red Rhône Blend under £10, Oz Clarke's No 1 wine in his Top 40 for 2009, Best of Category, Gold and Silver medals in the Wines of Chile Annual Awards.

"Over the next 10 years, world-class wines will emerge from these areas. If I had a few spare quid I'd invest them in a vineyard in Elquí tomorrow." Tim Atkin

Visit: www.falernia.com