Itata Paraíso: A family affair

The Itata Valley is a hidden gem in Chile's winemaking world. Located 400 kilometers south of Santiago, this region is home to some of the oldest vines in the country. And while Itata is known for its small, family-owned wineries, there's one producer that stands out from the rest: Itata Paraíso.

Itata Paraíso is a family-run winery that has been in operation since 1952. The current winemaker, Sebastian Ramirez, is the grandson of the winery's founder, Joaquim Ramirez. Joaquim was a lottery winner, and he used the proceeds of his second win (yes second!) to purchase the land that Itata Paraíso now calls home.

Sebastian is committed to keeping the family tradition alive. He only employs local people, and he uses traditional methods to produce his wines. The vines at Itata Paraíso are ungrafted, and some of them are over 200 years old. The grapes are harvested by hand, and the wines are fermented with native yeasts.

Itata Paraíso produces a small quantity of wine each year, just 10,000 bottles. The wines are made in an old adobe winery building, which helps to control the temperature naturally. The wines are aged in old French oak barrels, and they are full of character and flavour.

If you're looking for a unique and delicious Chilean wine, then you need to try Itata Paraíso. These wines are made with love and care, and they showcase the best of what the Itata Valley has to offer.

Here are some of the things that make Itata Paraíso wines so special:

• Old vines: The vines at Itata Paraíso are some of the oldest in Chile. This gives the wines a unique flavour profile that is hard to find anywhere else.
• Minimal intervention: Itata Paraíso wines are made with minimal intervention. This means that the wines are not manipulated in any way, which allows the natural flavours of their heritage grape varieties to shine through.
• Family-owned and operated: Itata Paraíso is a family-owned and operated winery. This means that the wines are made with love and care, and that the family is committed to maintaining the traditions of the historic Portezuelo wine region.

If you're looking for a delicious and unique Chilean wine, then you need to try Itata Paraíso, whose wines showcase the best of what the Itata Valley has to offer.