Winemaker

ÁLVARO ESPINOZA

Grapes

CARMÉNÈRE, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, SYRAH, GARNACHA, PETIT VERDOT

PHILOSOPHY

BIODYNAMIC

Antiyal is owned and operated by Winemaker Alvaro Espinoza (Chile’s biodynamic guru) and his wife Marina. Their home is located in the Maipo Valley on the southern fringes of the capital city of Chile, Santiago. The vineyards on their 22 hectare property produce only red varieties with 10.5 ha’s planted east of the valley on the foothills of the majestic Andes Mountain range.

The Antiyal brand started with the introduction of a single wine ‘Antiyal’ 1998 (a blend which is the original orange coloured label with an indigenous Mapuche symbol) and for the first time heard of in Chile, he created a biodynamically certified farm that would also be acknowledged as the first garage winery amongst the well known giants, that until the early 2000’s dominated the local industry. This blend continues today as Antiyal’s flagship made with Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah respectively.

Eventually followed by another blend named Kuyen created in 2002, which plays the role as somewhat of a ‘second wine’ to Antiyal with the blend reversed, holding three Bordeaux components at just under 50% with predominant Syrah at the other end. Basically ‘sandwich-ing’ Cabernet Sauvignon in both blends.

In the realm of success, Espinoza decides to create a monovarietal wine with Antiyal Carmenere pairing up with its flagship at the high end, delivering one of the best versions of this variety in the country.

The demand for Antiyal’s wines grew so strong that the power couple became inspired to bring a new level of wine to their portfolio. This is when the Pura Fe tier was born, aiming to offer a more accessible price point with the introduction of a monovarietal Cabernet Sauvignon, a Carménère and a co-fermented blend of Garnacha/Syrah, which have proven to be a brilliant addition with increased exposure of their great wines.

“An evangelist for biodynamics, the winemaking consultant faced many sceptics when he introduced the philosophy to Chilean viticulture. But this charismatic pioneer has proved that when you believe in something strongly enough, the risk is worth taking.” Anthony Rose – Decanter Magazine.