Chile

Viña Leyda

Leyda Valley

The Leyda Valley lies to the west of Santiago, just 14km from the Pacific, and its closeness to the sea ensures wonderfully cooling summer breezes which whip across the vineyard from 10am each day, moderating temperatures and cleansing the vineyard. Until recently the landscape was dominated by wheat and barley but in 1997 the Fernandez family, together with Gustavo Llona, recognised the potential of the area for growing grapes and established Viña Leyda.

In the course of building an eight-kilometre pipeline from the Maipo River for irrigation, crucial research suggested that the cool but sunny climate would suit Pinot, Sauvignon and Chardonnay and planting took place, with the first harvest in 2001.

Now with 216 hectares under vine the Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are all thriving, and with Merlot on the way, the future for Viña Leyda is very exciting.

The El Viento wines are made for us from Central Valley fruit by their talented young winemaker Viviana Navarette. Her experience in cool climate winemaking is evident in the fresh, clean purity of style which these great value wines represent.

Tim Atkin wrote recently: “This thrilling, recently planted area has the potential to become one of the New World’s best wine regions. Remember the name, because it could become as famous as Marlborough, Stellenbosch, McLaren Vale and the Napa Valley”.

Visit: www.leyda.cl