A Los Vinateros Bravos 'Volcanico' Pais, Itata Valley, Chile

Few wines so vividly express the untamed soul of their landscape as the 2022 A Los Vinateros Bravos 'Volcanico' País from Itata Valley, Chile. Winemaker Leonardo Erazo channels centuries of tradition and volcanic terroir into this compelling red, harvested from ancient, own-rooted bush vines that thrive in pure basalt soils. This wine is both a tribute to Chile's viticultural past and a striking emblem of its future.

Product Details:

• Producer: A Los Vinateros Bravos
• Winemaker: Leonardo Erazo
• Owner: Leonardo Erazo
• Region: Itata Valley, Chile
• Grapes: 100% País
• ABV: 12.5%
• Farming: Dry-farmed, own-rooted, organically tended bush vines; no chemical inputs
• Vinification: Native yeast fermentation, minimal sulfur added, aged in old barrels, no fining or filtering

Sensory Description:

Aromas of wild red berries, cassis, volcanic ash, and underbrush rise delicately from the glass, evoking the coastal forests of southern Chile. The palate is light yet textured, with a fine-grained tannin structure that gives way to flavors of cherry, soft red plum, and an earthy mineral tension that lingers on the finish. Elegant and ethereal, this is a wine of energy, purity, and unmistakable place.

Winemaker's Background:

Leonardo Erazo is one of South America's most dynamic voices in minimal-intervention winemaking. With a degree in Agronomy and Enology from the University of Chile and over a decade of global experience in biodynamics, soil science, and geology, Erazo brings depth and humility to his work. His project, A Los Vinateros Bravos (“To the Brave Vignerons”), honors the Itata Valley’s viticultural pioneers, farmers whose ancestral knowledge has guided vine cultivation for centuries. Erazo partners closely with these growers, trusting their time-honored, chemical-free practices to yield fruit of extraordinary character.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve the 2022 A Los Vinateros Bravos 'Volcanico' País slightly chilled at 55–58°F in a Burgundy glass to enhance its subtle aromatics and lift. Pair with grilled eggplant, roasted duck with cherry sauce, or earthy vegetarian dishes like mushroom risotto or lentil stew. Its elegance also makes it a fantastic companion to charcuterie.

This vibrant expression of País is both a living history and a forward-looking gesture. The 2022 A Los Vinateros Bravos 'Volcanico' País stands as a beacon for what sustainable, terroir-driven winemaking in Chile can be: authentic, thoughtful, and deeply connected to its volcanic roots.