Arboleda
PHILOSOPHY: Arboleda, which means a grove of trees, is a tribute to the more than 1,450 hectares (3,583 acres) of native forest that surround its sustainably managed vineyards.
Viña Arboleda was founded in 1999 by the Chilean vintner Eduardo Chadwick. The philosophy behind this project is to craft single-vineyard wines that reveal the purest expression of each unique terroir within its vineyards in the Aconcagua Valley.
THE FOUNDER: Viña Arboleda is Eduardo Chadwick’s personal venture. He represents the fifth generation of Viña Errázuriz’s founding family and is also the owner of Seña, Chile’s first icon wine, initially born as a joint venture with the legendary Californian vintner Robert Mondavi. Eduardo’s vision for his Arboleda project is to make the most sustainable, pure and modern wines to showcase the world-class quality of the best terroirs in the Aconcagua Valley.
ACONCAGUA VALLEY: Viña Arboleda is located in the Aconcagua Valley, 100 km (62 mi) north of Santiago, Chile’s capital city, and it stretches all the way from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. This valley takes its name from Mount Aconcagua, which, at 6,960 m (22,800 ft), is the highest peak in the western hemisphere and gives rise to the river that irrigates the valley. The grapes for the Arboleda wines come from its two estate-owned vineyards, Chilhué and Las Vertientes, both nestled into the generous Aconcagua Valley.
CHILHUÉ VINEYARD: The Chilhué vineyard is located just 12 km (8 mi) from the cold Pacific Ocean in Aconcagua Costa, specifically in the Quillota locality. Due to the proximity to the sea, the vines grow under a powerful maritime influence, which endows the resulting wines with cool-climate qualities. The 860 ha (2125 ac) property extends over 4 km (2.4 mi) from west to east. The hilly landscape provides a wide range of slope values, exposures and soil profiles. A vast extension of native forests, ravines and endemic wildlife surround 113 ha (279 ac) of vineyards, all planted 100–200 masl and provide the grapes for Arboleda’s Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
LAS VERTIENTES VINEYARD: The Las Vertientes vineyard is located 37 km (23 mi) inland from the sea, in the Hijuelas locality. The cool coastal winds blow in from the sea refreshing the Mediterranean climate, allowing the red grapes to ripen slowly. The vineyard is sorrounded by hills, with the vines sitting over the piedmont and part of the alluvial plain and comprises 32 ha (79 ac) of Cabernet Sauvignon, 17 ha (42 ac) of Carmenere, 10 ha (25 ac) of Cabernet Franc and 35 ha (86 ac) of Syrah, all planted 380–590 masl.