Leyda

Chilean wines from Leyda

The Leyda Valley lies on beautiful rolling hills near the Pacific Ocean. This relatively young wine region is primarily known for its high-quality white wines. Thanks to its location, the climate is quite different from other Chilean wine regions. The grapes here ripen evenly and benefit from the fresh sea breeze. The wines are intensely flavorful and, above all, very balanced.

The conditions in Leyda Valley

It wasn't until the late 1990s that viticulture in the Leyda Valley began to take shape with the first vineyards. Several grape varieties were planted in 1997, to be precise. It was Luis Alberto Fernandez who saw the potential in this region. The climate is perfect and the terroir has much to offer, but the lack of water presented a significant challenge. To address this, significant investments were made in a long pipeline to transport water from the Maipo River. This still doesn't make it an easy place to grow wine. But the climate has convinced many winemakers. Most vineyards face the ocean, which provides a cooling breeze. The daytime warmth allows the grapes to ripen slowly and develop good acidity.

White wines from Leyda Valley

But it's not just the climate that's important; the soil structures also offer a beautiful combination. The soil consists largely of clay and loam, making it ideal for viticulture. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes, in particular, thrive in this terroir. These are, in fact, the most widely planted grape varieties. And despite the region's relative youth, the quality is already incredibly high. The white wines, for example, are very fresh and feature abundant fruity notes. The Sauvignon Blanc Amaral is one such wine that brings out all the fresh Chilean notes. This wine is also known as "The Kind of the Crispy." And that's no lie. Enormous freshness, a beautiful bouquet, and a rich flavor with natural acidity.

Red grape varieties in Leyda Valley

But if you thought Leyda Valley was just for white wine, you're mistaken. This region also boasts a large number of Pinot Noir and Merlot grapes. A beautiful example in our selection is Santa Ema's Gran Reserva Merlot. This winery has been producing wines in this region for over a century. They have a wide range of wines where flavor is paramount. Wines without fuss. This Merlot offers much more than you'd normally expect from a Merlot. Not at all flat or overly fruity, the Santa Ema Gran Reserva Merlot is surprisingly intense and complex. A mouthful of quality wine you won't want to part with.