General Harvest Report - 2009

Overview

In general, in the valleys owned by VC Family Estates, from the Aconcagua to the Bio Bio, the climate has been affected by La Niña.

This is a climatic phenomenon which is produced when cold water currents shift towards the coast (thus lowering the temperature in the ocean), producing scarce rainfall in spring and summer and higher environmental temperatures than normal until well into summer, causing a delay in the arrival of autumn and lower temperatures.

Rainfall was concentrated in winter causing no concern, due to the absence of frost in critical periods such as budding.

This was optimum for the harvest as we did not have summer rain and the threatening menace of fungus diseases. At the same time, all varieties of vines were able to reach their optimum maturity including Carmenere which is harvested later (in May).

Due to the high temperatures, the white varieties started to be harvested earlier, even at the end of February, the normal period being the beginning of March. This did not affect quality since adequate levels of acidity and varietal expression were achieved.

In the central region (Alto Cachapoal – Lower Maipo), the average maximum temperatures in January were above 300 C and the average minimum around 120 C, This significant thermal fluctuation further highlighted the organoleptic characteristics of the wines.

From the very start, an earlier season was foreseen for the red varieties similar to that for the whites, due to an increased initial accumulation of sugars, but in March, harvest parameters were assimilated to previous seasons.

Coastal Maipo Valley

The spring of 2009 was noted for being warmer in relation to previous seasons. Thus, vine phenology, beginning with budding up to flower setting started about l0 days earlier than in 2008.

On the other hand, it was very dry with low rainfall, not exceeding 50 mm. with budding starting in April.

The moderating influence of Lake Rapel and in second place, the influence of the sea were very important, as more relative humidity and less thermal accumulation during the ripening process of the grapes were able to be maintained, thus preserving aromas and the phenolic components of the grape skins. Temperatures were considerably lower in mid March and together with the early morning fog, they enabled the grapes to ripen slower in the second development phase of the grains. Consequently, harvest took place during the same period as in 2008 with the tardy varieties such as Cabernet and Carmenere and more fruity wines with a fresh and spicy touch were obtained.

This year was noted for having a rise in production, especially for Merlot and in second place, Cabernet. An early thinning of bunches took place after flower setting (pea size) to adjust to requirements and the desired quality of the wine.

Aconcagua

The 2009 harvest was a success in general especially related to sanitary aspects and the quality of the grapes.

The summer was very hot during the day but sufficiently cold at night. There was no rain in spring or in summer.
VC only has red varieties in the valley and in general they are harvested earlier than normal with a good degree of acidity.
SH was produced in sufficient form and quantity and CS experimented a good flower setting. Thus thinning took place in R3 qualities.

Cachapoal

To begin with, we should remember the conditions of the 2008 winter, which was noted for having rainfall concentrated in May to September and a peak in August with a total of 520 mm for the Alto Cachapoal region.

There was no frost in spring, thus the phonological cycles of the vines developed normally and production was not affected. Spring and summer were affected by a complete absence of rainfall and by a higher temperature than in previous years with average maximum temperatures of 330 C in January and an average minimum of 120 C in the same month. Likewise, as in autumn there was no rain, we were able to wait for the tannins of the red varieties to ripen adequately. This resulted in a long harvest which started on 4 March and finished on 5 May.

In general, the Cabernet Sauvignons are fruity and have good structure in mouth. In the case of Syrah, we find freshness and good aromatic intensity. Even though we had a slight increase in production, there was no reduction in quality.

With regard to fermentations, the processes were longer than in previous years which led to a good extraction of tannins and antocianines.
In general, we can say that Cachapoal retains the expression and the delicacy of its wines in this 2009 season.

Bio Bio Valley NEGRETE (Miraflores, Santa Ana and Santa Rosa)

The 2008-2009 season was noted for being more dry and warm than normal.

It was characterized for not having significant rainfall from October to April. Only a slight downpour on 15 February brought about certain apprehension but the climatic conditions were favorable until the harvest was over during the first few days of April. Temperatures were unusually warm during March, when many days were above 300 C (this was not favorable as it occurred during harvest). Harvest took place 15 days earlier.

The first Sauvignon Blanc was harvested on 23 February (the season normally starts on 8 March), reaching 21.50 brix with a pH of 3.1, as a perfect combination in lot 16 Miraflores.(This was possible due to the low content of potassium in the soil which maintained acidity even during the most hottest years, but with a low yield /ha.).

The rest of the harvest continued normally, but took place 10 to 15 days earlier.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay coming from poorer and well drained soils also started to be harvested in February which is not usual. The thermal issue covered 1400 days up to 1 April, which was sufficient for the difficult Merlot and Malbec which ripened earlier this year with no problems. Even the Syrah could have had good results too.

Lots I and II from Miraflores were the sectors in which the aromatic quality of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay was ratified. The relation of loam and clay soils account for this more intense expression of aromas: citric fruit, minerals and tropical fruit.
Regarding Pinot Noir, the clay soils of Miraflores are also noted for their complexity and typical characteristics.

Quinel

The season was slightly warmer during December and January. From then on, most of the days experimented temperatures below 300 until harvest, when Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay were harvested with ripe PH levels and a well connected aromatic expression. This also enabled Pinot Noir R3 and Millerandage to ripen optimally. In this lot they always wait for the Chardonnays and the Sauvignon Blancs to acquire fresh aromas and due to the climate, this is successfully achieved, even though there is a slight lack of pirazine but with adequate leaf management, this issue can be considerably improved.

In general, the season was successful and February and March as mentioned before, were practically below 30º.
Due to the type of climate, it was more difficult for our Malbec and Syrah to ripen and to acquire the characteristics of the cold climate, making them more interesting.

Thermal fluctuations were around 18 to 22º and the harvest was efficiently carried out basically during March, with foreseen results and grapes free of disease.

In summary, it was a tight harvest due to the varieties we have but superior in quality when compared to other seasons, due to a perfect combination of climate, soil and management.