Errazuriz
Summary
Founded in 1870, Viña Errázuriz is a family-owned Chilean estate with 1,056 hectares across the Aconcagua Valley, producing wines from Bordeaux varieties in their inland vineyards and cool-climate varieties in their coastal sites with distinctive schist soils. Their winemaking combines traditional methods with modern technology in their gravity-flow winery, maintaining consistent quality and style across generations while pioneering new terroirs in Chile's viticultural landscape.
Heritage & Leadership
Viña Errázuriz was established in 1870 when Don Maximiano Errázuriz planted the first vines in the Aconcagua Valley, 100 kilometers north of Santiago. The founder recognized the potential of this region, previously considered too extreme for quality viticulture, and transformed it into productive vineyard land. The winery has remained family-owned throughout its history, with Eduardo Chadwick, the fifth generation of the founding family, currently serving as President. Under his direction since 1983, Errázuriz has expanded its international presence while maintaining its focus on quality production.
The winery marked significant milestones in Chilean wine history, including the 2004 Berlin Tasting where their wines outperformed several First Growth Bordeaux and Super Tuscans in a blind tasting conducted by Steven Spurrier. This event helped establish Chile's capability to produce world-class wines. In 2010, the company completed construction of the Don Maximiano Icon Winery, a gravity-flow facility designed specifically for premium wine production.
Vineyards & Wines
Errázuriz manages 1,056 hectares of vineyards across the Aconcagua Valley, with three primary estates showcasing distinct terroirs. The Don Maximiano Estate, situated at 300-600 meters above sea level, features 267 hectares planted predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Syrah. The soil composition includes colluvial material with clay-loam texture and 30-40% stone content.
The Las Pizarras vineyard, located 12 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, encompasses 282 hectares at 100-300 meters elevation, focusing on cool-climate varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Las Pizarras, a specific plot within the Aconcagua Costa area, features distinctive schist soils that contribute mineral characteristics to their premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The winery's portfolio is structured in tiers, with the Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve (first produced in 1983) and the single-vineyard Las Pizarras wines representing their ultra-premium offerings. The MAX line offers varietal expressions from selected vineyard blocks, while the Estate series provides approachable wines that reflect Aconcagua's terroir.
Philosophy & Practice
Errázuriz employs a terroir-focused approach, matching grape varieties to specific soil types and microclimates throughout their vineyards. The winemaking team, led by Francisco Baettig until 2022 and now by Winemaker Héctor Rojas, utilizes hand harvesting for all premium wines, with fruit undergoing double sorting before processing.
The Don Maximiano Icon Winery operates on a gravity-flow principle, eliminating pumping to preserve fruit quality. For red wines, fermentation occurs in small tanks with punch-downs and pump-overs tailored to each variety and vineyard block. Premium wines undergo aging in French oak barrels, with specific protocols for each wine: Las Pizarras Chardonnay spends 13 months in 25% new oak, while the Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve ages for 22 months in 65% new French oak.
The company has implemented sustainable practices throughout its operations, achieving Wines of Chile Sustainability Code certification. Their initiatives include water conservation through drip irrigation, reducing carbon footprint by using lighter bottles, and preserving 9,400 hectares of native forest surrounding their vineyards. Solar panels installed at the Don Maximiano winery generate 50% of its electricity requirements, reflecting their commitment to environmental responsibility.