Gustavo Riffo 'Viña Lomas de Llahuen' Pipeño Itata DO 2022 1L

The Itata Valley in southern Chile has emerged in recent years as the source of some of Chile’s most interesting wines from small, ecologically sustainable winemakers. As it is south of Chile’s main winegrowing area in the Central Valley, Itata’s climate tends to be cooler. Grape varieties such as carignan, país, and cinsault have quietly thrived there for centuries. Gustavo Riffo farms his family’s vineyards in the area of Portezuelo, making pipeño in a traditional way: organic methods with the vines, minimal interventions in the winemaking process. This delicious, party-friendly liter comes from a single parcel called Parmenia, where 200-year-old vines grow without irrigation on soils of granite, clay, and loam. After destemming and fermentation, the wine rested in stainless steel for 11 months. Lightly herbal and refreshingly fruity, this well-balanced, light, dry red bursts with cherry cola and rides on smooth tannins. Organically grown, biodynamically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, vegan.