Viña Carmen

Owners: Claro Group
Chief Winemaker: Emily Faulconer
Website: carmen.com
Commercial Contact:
America: agauci@santarita.cl
EMEA: tpennington@santarita.cl
Asia: mesteso@santarita.cl



History
Viña Carmen was founded in 1850 by Christian Lanz and named "Carmen" in honor of his wife. With over 160 years of history, its journey is marked by significant milestones and successes, as well as its oenological heritage and relentless pursuit of quality.

The rediscovery of Carménère in one of Carmen's vineyards, located in the Alto Maipo Valley, in 1994, was an internationally relevant oenological event that brought back to the world's viticultural heritage a grape variety thought to be extinct for years after being devastated by the phylloxera plague in the mid-19th century. This discovery marked a turning point in the national and international wine industry, and Viña Carmen became a driving force in the development of Carménère in Chile.

Currently, Viña Carmen is present in more than 50 countries, and its vast experience and trajectory are reflected in the remarkable consistency and quality of its wines. Additionally, Carmen has a robust sustainability program that encompasses environmental, social, and economic pillars. In this way, it aims to be a reference in the sustainable development and growth of viticulture.

Vineyards
Limarí Valley
A 134-hectare vineyard located 28 km from the Pacific Ocean and 400 km north of Santiago. The soils are characteristic of the second terrace of the Limarí Valley, consisting of alluvial deposits with a first layer of clayey texture and a second layer of sandy clay and stones. There are deposits of calcium carbonate between both layers. The climate is strongly influenced by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the low hills of the Coastal Mountain Range. Coastal fogs dissipate around noon, allowing temperatures to increase but moderated by cool sea breezes. The proximity to the sea is also evident in the relatively high temperatures in the afternoon, reaching up to 20°C in January, the warmest month of the year. Average annual temperature: 15.3 °C. Average annual rainfall: 150mm. Grape varieties planted: Chardonnay.

Casablanca Valley
Located 80 km from Santiago and close to the Pacific Ocean (only 26 km away). The soils are of colluvial-alluvial origin, with a sandy and sandy loam texture, poor in nutrients, with high permeability and low moisture retention. These attributes result in low yields and highly concentrated varietal characteristics. The vineyards are planted at an average altitude of 500 meters above sea level. The climate is Mediterranean, with an average temperature fluctuation of 16°C between day and night. The proximity to the sea is the most important climatic factor in Casablanca, influencing the cooling of the valley. Average annual temperature: 13.4 °C. Average annual rainfall: 450 mm. Grape varieties planted: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.

Leyda Valley
An 85-hectare vineyard located just 14 km from the Pacific Ocean, on the Coastal Mountain Range, southwest of Santiago. Its soil is clay of granitic origin, shallow. The thermal conditions are Mediterranean, with low temperatures due to the proximity to the sea. Average annual temperature: 14.2 °C. Average annual rainfall: 471 mm. Grape varieties planted: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

Maipo Valley
A vineyard located 40 km south of Santiago, at the foothills of the Andes Mountain Range. Soils of alluvial and colluvial origin. Semi-arid Mediterranean climate. The region has a cold winter with moderate rainfall and a hot and dry summer. The thermal fluctuation can reach 20 °C. Average annual temperature: 13.9 °C. Average annual rainfall: 400 mm. Grape varieties planted: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Franc.

Colchagua Valley
A vineyard located 181 km south of Santiago and 45 km from the sea. Soils of volcanic origin, clay, with sandy loam and sandy textures. The climate is strongly influenced by the Coastal Mountain Range. It is dry and warm, with dry summers and rainy winters. Average annual temperature: 14.9 °C. Average annual rainfall: 595 mm. Grape varieties planted: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Carménère.

Apalta Valley
A vineyard located 190 km south of Santiago. The soils are divided into sectors. High sector: granitic sediments deposited at the base of the hills, with a loamy and sandy texture. Middle sector: granitic sediments deposited at the base of the hills, with an intermediate texture, loamy clay soil. Low sector: alluvial deposits, with a loamy and loamy clay soil. Climate with high thermal fluctuation. Cool breezes from the coast come through the Tinguiririca River. Average annual temperature: 14.7 °C. Average annual rainfall: 684 mm. Grape varieties planted: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Carménère.

Wines from Carmen