GENERAL INFORMATION

The 2007-2008 harvest season came to an end, leaving the impression that we are facing a season that can be defined as correct in terms of quality, with specific challenges in some cases, like high temperatures during summer’s months, and very good outcomes in some varieties such Merlot, Shiraz and Carmenère. Throughout the country the general perception is that this was an atypical season (in the end they all are): the coldest and driest winter of the last 40 years; sea temperature in spring of 2°C below historic average (La Niña); a cold, dry spring (data from our weather stations indicate that this season was dry until the end of April); high heat summation in March and April.

Season’s heat summation fell by historic averages in most of the valleys, although there were a cold spring, high maximum temperatures in January and February and high heat summation in March and April. This was a successful harvest season for Viña Errázuriz in terms of quality, with medium yields that coincided -in general- with our projections.

In all valleys (Coastal Aconcagua, Alto Maipo, Casablanca, Colchagua and Curicó), with the sole exception of Inland Aconcagua, average accumulated heat summation between October 2007 and April 2008, measured in Degree Days (Base 10º C/ 19°C) was higher than it was during 2006-2007 growing season and higher than their historic averages, nevertheless significant differences between valleys were shown.

The Inland Aconcagua Valley showed a cold year condition in comparison with its historic heat summation, wherein two situations could be observed: Seña, Vertientes and Max VI vineyards exhibited a cold year condition with an average heat summation during the 2007-2008 season of only 1603 Degree Days, which was 30 Degree Days less than the previous season (1633 Degree Days) and 82 Degree Days in comparison with their historic average (1685 Degree Days), while Don Maximiano Vineyard (MAX I to V) exhibited a heat summation (1644 Degree Days) 2% higher than previous season (1612 Degree Days) but 4.2% less than its historic average (1717 Degree Days). In the case of Coastal Aconcagua (Chilhué and Manzanar), the heat summation was higher (1519 Degree Days) than it was in 2007 (1375 Degree Days). . Analyzing temperature’s behavior along the growing season, Inland Aconcagua, Casablanca, Leyda and Alto Maipo had a cold spring, and during the first months of the season (October to December 2007) their heat summation was clearly lower than those ones recorded during previous season and inferior even than their historic averages. Coastal Aconcagua, Colchagua and Curicó, on the other hand, exhibited high heat summations from the beginning of the season, which were maintained during the whole period.

Thus, Colchagua was very warm, recording the season’s highest heat summation (1700 Degree Days); 6.4% higher than last year’s record (1598 Degree Days) and 2.4% higher than its historic average (1660 Degree Days), while Alto Maipo’s heat condition was moderate (1627 Degree Days), only 0.8% higher than its historic average (1614 Degree Days).

From January on, peak temperatures were recorded, with absolute maximums that exceeded 37°C in Colchagua and 36°C in Curicó, around 34°C in Alto Maipo and Don Maximiano Vineyard in Aconcagua, and reaching 32ºC in Casablanca, Leyda and Coastal Aconcagua. High temperatures came back in February (although lower than in January), while March and April kept unusually warm, all of which led to increase heat summation in all valleys and surpass previous year’s records and even some historic averages (Colchagua and Maipo Bajo Valleys). The odd heat wave that took place during March was crucial since maximum temperatures kept over 32°C for several days in a row, which had an impact on grape’s condition.

The only exception occurred in Inland Aconcagua (Seña, Vertientes and Max VI vineyards), that exhibited temperatures 1.5% below previous season’s records and 5.6% below its historic average.

Behavior of different phenologic stages (flowering, fruit set, veraison and ripeness), was influenced by a winter that was dry (rainfall in Aconcagua of only 92 mm during this period, 60% less than its historic average) and a cold (monthly mean temperatures were lower than those of previous season, with larger accumulation of cold hours and winter frost events), causing a delay in the bud-break period of 10-15 days, but also accomplishing a better uniformity.

Late bud-breaking and flowering within historic terms, in addition to low availability of water due to a dry winter, resulted in a shorter vegetative growth period, which was only recovered between setting and coloring. In general, this process led to moderate vigors and transparent canopies.

In October 2007 two frost events took place in Casablanca Valley (October 7th and 18th), none of them causing major damages in the vines, while in coastal zones such as Coastal Aconcagua and Leyda Valleys, temperatures did not drop below 2,0°C as minimums.

High temperatures recorded during January, February and March encouraged ripeness process, but also caused fruit dehydration problems in some valleys, especially in Colchagua and most specifically in vineyards with very restrictive water management. This situation was also worsened by a poor root growth due to the lack of water in the soil resulting from the dry winter. As further consequence, this valley faced an early harvest with an important decrease in the yields of red varieties, most particularly in Cabernet Sauvignon, which undoubtedly was the season’s main problem.

One of the main challenges of this harvest consisted in perceiving the effect that high temperatures would have over the grapes, maintaining a non-restrictive water management, and avoiding excessive leaf plucking to keep the clusters protected, especially those ones facing the afternoon sun exposure.

In the case of Inland Aconcagua Valley, given a colder year condition, we had to wait for ripeness, delaying the harvest of red varieties in 10-14 days in comparison with traditional terms, and advancing by sectors with an intensive use of vigor maps, harvesting the ripest areas within each block.

As far as rainfall records are concerned, the 2007-2008 growing season was dry compared to historic and average data. Both dry-year and low-vigor conditions resulted in very healthy grapes (almost complete absence of Botrytis and Odium). During ripening period just two rainfall events took place. First one occurred in March, with a low-intensity rain (7-10mm in Aconcagua, 9mm in Vineyard Chadwick, 15mm in Casablanca, 11mm in Colchagua and 12mm in Curicó); the second one happened at the end of the season (April 27th and 28th) with moderate to high intensity depending on the valleys (10-16mm in Aconcagua, 20mm in Vineyard Chadwick, 31mm in Colchagua and 50mm in Curicó). The effect of the second rainfall was limited, since at that point of the harvest season, Carmenère was almost the only variety left, being well known as a variety that features thick skin and good endurance to diseases.

Regarding harvested volumes, there are differences among varieties and valleys. Sauvignon Blanc had higher yields in most of the valleys (including Leyda) except in Casablanca, where they were significantly lower than expected. Casablanca’s Chardonnay yields dropped importantly. Production of Merlot was closer to the estimates, just as Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon’s yields were 15% to 25% lower than estimated, while Carmenère surpassed its projections.

In terms of total grape production, Viña Errazuriz will be very close to its projection of December 2007 and 12% higher than the 2007 season. In white varieties, Chardonnay’s yield was closer to its projection (-3.5%) and higher than 2007 season, while Sauvignon Blanc globally increased its yield in approximately 5% compared to December 2007 projection.

In Cabernet Sauvignon, an average decrease close to 11% in comparison with the projection was observed, although it was 7% higher than its yields of the previous season. This was basically due to low spring temperatures in Aconcagua that caused a minor setting, which led to some millerandage problems and lighter clusters.

In summary, cold year conditions in Aconcagua resulted in a harvest season mainly concentrated between April and the first week of May, with a similar distribution as compared to 2006 and later than the 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007 harvests.

As a result of small-sized clusters and berries, as well as a cold year condition, 2008 Aconcagua Valley red wines show a good aroma intensity and good fruit concentration. Both Merlot and Shiraz exhibit very good quality, with great fruit intensity and a good tannic level. Top Cabernet Sauvignon ranges excel in quality, with remarkable tipicity and firm ripe tannins. In following ranges, some heterogeneous quality can be observed, along with tannins that sometimes can be harsh or dry but that should develop and soften in time.

Carmenère is expected to showcase superb quality, displaying a good balance between ripeness and liveliness, great aromatic intensity, and good acidity along with round, silky tannins.

In the case of white varieties, in comparison with 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, a less aromatic intensity may be noticed this year in this variety, with a quality that varies from good to very good depending on its management (canopies, irrigation, load), valleys and harvest date. On its second harvest, Coastal Aconcagua gave excellent qualities. In our vineyards of Casablanca Valley, the covered canopies, a non-restrictive water management, moderate loads and a somewhat tardy-than-average harvest allowed us to ensure a good to very good quality grapes, with good acidity, freshness, intensity, and a citric, herbal and well marked tipicity.

In Chardonnay we can expect full, strong, mature wines, somewhat more heavy than the elegant and fresh 2007 vintage.

Francisco Baettig
Head Winemaker
Viña Errázuriz
May, 2008