You’re probably quite familiar with the Chilean wines of Maipo and Casablanca, but there’s a new region coming to the fore which, in a recent article in Decanter, was labelled the ‘promised land’. Limarí Valley is one of the rising stars within the wine industry.

Located 250 miles north of Santiago, and just south of Atacama, the driest place on earth, Limarí is steeped in history. Hunter gatherers have inhibited the area for around 4000 years, so it’s a prime location for excavations and archaeology. Today, the agricultural significance still remains for traditional farmers, and now grape growers. There are strong coastal influences, which play a vital role here.

The mountain range, which hugs the shoreline, begins in the Valley and the lower elevation allows ocean breezes to sweep in throughout the day. The many sunlight hours and high daytime temperatures promote vigorous grape growth, with the low temperatures in the evening helping the fruit to rest and use their sugars to synthesize aromatic substances. Despite the morning mist and dense coastal fog – known as camanchaca – water is scarce. Drip irrigation is the rule, with small amounts of water being fed to the vine to achieve the perfect ripeness and concentration.

The unique limestone bed buried under Limarí Valley’s alluvial clay soils is particularly good for white grapes. The wines show a very appealing flinty quality resulting from desert soil rich in minerals, calcium and salt. With the variation in soil composition and depth, along with an irregular landscape marked by slopes, creeks, and hillside planting, grape growers can choose which varietals to use, depending on microclimate and soil.

So essentially Limarí is a very dry, cool climate region. There aren’t many places in the world quite like it. These natural conditions encourage grapes to ripen slowly, promoting crisp natural acidity and the development of outstanding aromas.

Our Limarí range comes from the heart of the valley, where we have managed to source three reds, a white and a dessert wine from Tabalí. You’ll see what we mean about the character of the whites if you get the chance to try the Viognier, and if you’re mad for red, the Decanter 5 star Reserve blend is for you. There is  10% off the marked prices on all Chilean wines for the months of May and June.