Chile

The Spaniard conquerors arrived in Chile in 1541, when Pedro de Valdivia established the city of Santiago. No gold was found, nor any other natural resource that would raise the interest of the Spanish Crown. Those who decided to stay were idealists, men of will and strength.

By the beginning of the 1800s, the whole continent was rebelling against the European King and declaring its independence, founding Republics based on the French Revolutionary ideas. Chile was established in 1810.

France became a model and a symbol of sophistication. The newly self declared Chilean nationals travelled to immerse themselves in the French culture, coming back with ideas, flavours and vines!

Yes, vines. Hence, a country conquered and colonized by the Spanish, developed its wine industry based on the French wine approach. Most plants were brought from Bordeaux just before the Phylloxera outbreak, a disease that destroyed most vineyards in Europe in 1860s.

Chile, an isolated corner in South America, became the last refuge for grape varietals killed in France. With natural barriers, the dangerous invisible bug never developed. Varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Carignan…all became comfortable in a land that became the ‘Paradise for Viticulture’.

During these years, Mr. Pereira established Viña Santa Carolina, honouring his wife and beginning a long tradition of winemaking. He decided to bring three French winemakers and the classic grape varieties from Bordeaux. The Maipo Valley begun its journey to become one of the most respected terroirs worldwide.