2022 Rogue Vine, ‘Pipeno’ Tinto, Itata Valley, Chile

Producer: A project by 2 friends, Justin Decker & Leo Erazo (winemaker for Altos Las Hormigas in Mendoza, Argentina) started in 2011, in a garage in Concepcion. The 2 are making wine ‘with character…& a strong sense of origin’ from old bush vines in the Itata hills.

Place:  The winery is located in Conception, and they source grapes from 2 subregions of the Itata Valley, Nipas & Guarilihue, in the deep south of Chile. The fruit for this bottling is from a small coastal vineyard in Guarilihue.

Cultivation: Organic, dry farming, horse plowing.

Varietal: 65% Cinsault, 30% pais & 5% Carignan from hillside bush vines.

Bottling: ‘Pipeno’ is a chilean wine style, from young native grapes, typically Pais, light, juicy, gulpable, unfiltered, country wine,  the easy drinking style is now gaining popularity in cities.

Soil: Decomposed granite

Winemaking: Hand harvested, 10% whole cluster, 18 days natural fermentation in concrete globes, aged 8 months in concrete spheres, bottled unfiltered & unfined.

Tasting Notes: Fresh & Vibrant – Bramble Fruit – Hint of Smoke – Chillable