After a lovely family lunch with Aldo, Olga and several of their 15 grandchildren, we set off to tour some of the craziest vineyards I’ve ever seen.
Not many people plant vines up here except to make the local spirit pisco; we are after all only one valley down from the Atacama desert. Aldo and cousin Giorgio (an old friend from Trentino) planted winemaking grapes here in 1999.
320 sunlight days a year and only 70mm annual rainfall puts our recent summer into perspective. But; taking two years to bulldozer solid boulders from the river bed and plant Syrah and Carmenere, then planting 20 hectares half way up the Andes at 6000ft and half the way to Argentina? Well it sure aint the easiest way to make a living. But boy do the wines taste like they are worth the effort.
Off to bed. Know to be on top form for a big blending session tomorrow but next time you taste an Alta Tierra, think about some of the craziest vineyards in the world!
Dan Snook, Wine Director
Tony is on holiday
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