Apalta Valley

Situated in Chile's Colchagua Valley, Alpata mainly focuses on its production of red wine with grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Caermenere and Syrah as well as those more common to Rhone and Bordeaux, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Mourvedre.

In the Alpata Valley are some of the most acclaimed winemakers around, including Montes and Casa Lapostolle of the Grand Marnier family. Some of the most notable wines produced in South America include Montes' Folly Syrah and Alpha M. The Casa Lapostolle's Cuvee Alexandre line as well as the single-vineyard Clos Apalta.

With its mediterranean climate, the vines that line the hillsides are warmed by bright sunshine and are then cooled by the sea breeze of the nearby Pacific Ocean. This helps in extendig the growing season by slowing the ripening of the grapes overnight and allowing for the berries to develop ripeness and acidity.

The alluvial soils of Alpata are made up of mostly sandy and clay loam with more granitic soils on the hillsides. These low-fertility soils are ideal for wine growing and thus earns the region its name "Alpata" which translates to "poor soils" in their local dialect. As a result the wines produced are full-flavoured, have good tannins, and are well structured.

Image By: Alpata Valley/Decanter