2020 Harvest Report
In 2020 harvest started earlier than expected, with the first grapes being picked as early as February 10. We started with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Limarà Valley, followed by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc from the central valleys and Pinot Noir from Casablanca and San Antonio. We quickly moved to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and finished with Carmenere and the cool climate Syrah, also harvested earlier than usual.
This year’s biggest challenge was the lack of rain that affected the country. Cono Sur has been taking preventive measures for several years; the agricultural and sustainable teams have optimized out water efficiency and our irrigation system. Amongst our efforts are the water reservoirs in the estates more affected by drought and the frequency inverters that assure the precise use of water, without any waste.
Spring and summer registered medium to high temperatures and low humidity giving us healthy grapes without any phytosanitary issues.
This season’s climatic conditions led to a small decrease in volume, delivering concentrated and expressive wines.
In short, the 2020 harvest can be described as a healthy vintage of great quality, concentration and expression. Once again, water management and vineyard monitoring were key to ensure a timely harvest for each block, allowing the grapes to deliver their full potential.
It was an early harvest, will many varieties ripening at the same time making March an especially busy month for our team. It was a very challenging year which the winemakers won’t soon forget. Equally remarkable is the quality of the wines that are sure to make an impression.
Limarà Valley
This valley presented normal conditions as climate and water availability is concerned. We expect grapes of excellent quality and yields within the projections. The wines present good acidity, balance and expression. It was a very good year for Limarà wines.
Valle de Aconcagua
This valley was specially affected by the high temperatures during spring-summer season leading to an unexpected early harvest in mid-February. The heat demanded constant vineyard monitoring to ensure a timely harvest and prevent dehydration. We expect some bold red wines with good concentration. Anticipating harvest allowed us to maintain a good natural acidity in varieties like: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Malbec, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Syrah, among others. A year that was equally challenging and satisfying.
Maipo Valley
As most valleys, in Maipo harvest was also anticipated in about 10 days. It delivered low yields with small and concentrated fruits. It required close vineyard monitoring to ensure grapes with good acidity, phenolic ripeness, fresh red fruit and balance. We expect an unparalleled Cabernet Sauvignon. It has really been a phenomenal year for the Cabernet Sauvignon from Maipo Alto.
Casablanca Valley
It was also one of the valleys with early harvest. Casablanca registered some concerning spring frost, concentrated in specific areas.
Yields were lower than expected leading to a fast ripening; this demanded an immediate response from our team in order to harvest the grapes on time. The effort absolutely paid off. The Sauvignon Blanc wines deliver an outstanding acidity and great aromatic expression. The Chardonnay wines are juicy, mineral and with great volume. And lastly the Pinot Noirs; which do not reflect this year’s warm climate, delivering fresh and delicate fruit, silky tannins, good acidity. Anticipating harvest was key to obtain delicate and elegant wines.
San Antonio Valley
San Antonio also registered an early harvest. However, due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, some blocks were harvested in its usual timing. It did not register any frost; grapes were healthy, concentrated and balanced.
Like Casablanca, we picked excellent Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and exceptional Pinot Noir; concentrated, juicy, with good acidity and volume, balanced, delicate, and elegant. The Syrah also stood out for its fruitiness, concentration and balance. An extraordinary year for the red wines of San Antonio.
Cachapoal Valley
Cachapoal presented normal climatic conditions of medium-high temperatures and no frost; favorable to the Carmenere variety. The grapes were harvested during the second and third week of April, a bit earlier than usual with the intent to preserve the fresh fruity notes. This timely harvest has allowed us to obtain a very delicate Carmenere, without sacrificing the variety’s typical tannic expression and concentration.
Colchagua Valley
As many other regions, in Colchagua harvest was also anticipated. The western part of the valley registered spring frost, and even though it did not affect the quality of the grapes, we have seen a reduction in volume, with lower yields compared to the previous year. The high temperatures accelerated ripening, especially for the Viognier that was also picked before the usual date, which allowed us to keep a good natural acidity and fruity expression. We expect great Viognier wines in 2020. Again, the low humidity has given us very healthy grapes which is extremely positive for our organic vineyards. From Colchagua, in general, we can expect healthy grapes, expressive and concentrated wines, heavy in fruity notes and mature tannins.
Maule Valley
Normal climatic conditions, no frost and yields within expected; however, harvest was also pushed forward in Maule which demanded a quick response from our team. We have to say that we expect great quality from this valley, especially for the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that are mostly destined to our emblematic brand Bicicleta.
BÃo BÃo Valley
BÃo BÃo has also been affected by this particularly dry year, however here, the effects were very positive. Grapes were healthier, product of the low humidity. During the summer the region registered temperature above average speeding the ripening and anticipating harvest. In end-February we started harvest by picking some excellent Chardonnay used for sparkling wines and finished by the end of April with outstanding Riesling, with great aromatic intensity, very concentrated, good natural acidity. We expect remarkable wines from BÃo BÃo.
We can say that 2020 has been a warm and dry year for which vineyard management played an important role. Our technical agricultural team had to monitor every state very closely, assuring irrigation efficiency, attending to canopy management in order to not over expose the grapes, and most importantly to get the harvest date right. This made for a very challenging year. But we are confident in our decision making and we expect excellent wines.
We believe this is going to be a vintage to remember, for both its challenges and impressive quality.