YAYO
Carignan, Fundo El Sauce.
Maule Valley.
I am Eduardo Antonio Canales, but they call me YAYO. I have been working with the Carignan variety for more than 40 years at the El Sauce farm. I was born and raised in the fields and since I was 13 years old I have been working on this farm. My main motivation is to work day by day in the vineyard, to be with people, to do the work in the vineyard. Most of the people who work with me are family members, and we go around the year together to reach the harvest. This farm is dry land, that is, it is not irrigated. In addition, we work it organically, with the strength of the natural earth.
The Carignan strain must be constantly cared for, as it is a bit complicated, if one is careless it becomes infected and there is no way to stop it. Its cluster is tight, large, leafy, beautiful, and has a very red color, which immediately stains clothes.
We must keep this variety, as it is a very good strain. They are old plants that have another care, another process for maturity and in dry conditions. We must continue working day by day in this field. Generations after generations have passed, so our mission is to take care of it and preserve it over time.
RONALD
Itata Valley.
I am Ronald Vera, manager and producer of the Cinsault vineyards of the Fundo Huaro, in the commune of Coelemu, Itata Valley. Born and raised in this area, when I was 25 years old, I was called by the trade that was transmitted to me by my family: to make known the work, quality and vineyard tradition of this wonderful valley and dedicate myself body and soul to my own wine production.
My grandfather came to this area of Coelemu, where he fell in love and raised his family surrounded by vineyards. Since then, my family brings the vineyard tradition, and we have been working in this land for three generations, in order to better produce our Cinsault grapes. We do not want to lose the family tradition or this very old variety of Chile, which is part of the origin of our wine culture.
KIKO
Pais, Fundo Rucahue.
Colchagua Valley.
I am José, better known as KIKO, producer of the country variety in the Rucahue farm. I have been working in this field for more than 25 years, during which I have lived – and sometimes suffered – many things: great droughts, good and bad harvests, earthquakes, rains, fires. The country grape has adapted to all these circumstances that nature has given us, adapting very well to the drought, seeking its own humidity.
Working on this farm and with this variety has been very rewarding, I am very happy. In each harvest we hope to close a good cycle and that next year will be good and for many more years. My main motivation is to do things well to achieve good production and quality. What I like the most is working outdoors, with nature, in the countryside in southern Chile. We have a treasure, an invaluable Chilean heritage, which we must take care of so that it lasts over time.
JORGE
Moscatel, Fundo Pinihue.
Itata Valley.
I am Jorge Risopatrón Palma, born in Pinihue 48 years ago. My father and grandfather were also born on this same farm. For more than 80 years that my family has been dedicated to cultivating the vine; My grandfather started with his first plantations in this valley in the 40s, then my father in the 70s planted in this field and then I continued planting since the 80s.
Almost most of the people who live here are relatives, but the one who works in the fields is me. My goal is to try to save and make this dry field last. We work the vineyard with horse and we can every year, nothing more: that is the magic. I love living here, there is nothing like in the country, where I manage my time and live in peace.
I would like them to continue buying us grapes to maintain the valley, and at a good price. Only the small vineyards are the ones that support us and generate more money. We must continue producing these ancestral strains of Chile so as not to lose them as they are part of our history.