Chile Forum

So what can the rest of us do (in the states?)

4heid, tell me what labels to buy to help

Everybody wins!

I checked with a friend who used to be in the wine business, and what she said is very similar to what 4heid wrote...

es normal que los pequeños productores agrícolas (no sólo en Chile) pertenezcan a cooperativas para tener cierto poder de negociación con el comprador
- se da que los compradores cuando son big players, se aprovechan y ofrecen un precio muy cercano al costo de los productores, bajando el precio de todo el mercado de uva para esa cosecha
- los vinos que dicen "estate vineyards" son aquellos que tiene propios viñedos y que por lo tanto controlan calidad
- cuando una viña le compra a la cooperativa, tiene que aceptar uvas de distintos niveles de calidad
- si no hay control de calidad de las uvas que vende una cooperativa, se entiende que esta es materia prima a menor costo
- un ejemplo en chile de buena relacion precio calidad es misiones de rengo, que no tiene viñedos propios, pero que sí trata correctamente la uva una vez comprada

If I understand nwdiver correctly, the problem is that the storage / fermentation vats for the grapes after harvesting are broken, so the need is for transport further north to intact facilities? Or replacement facilities?

I am so happy admin got the wine and I am glad you like it. We have worked with them so long to improve their wine presentation for the external market but the real magic being done there is by their winemaker, Felipe Zuniga.
I will be speaking to him tomorrow and will get a better idea of what needs they really have for the harvest and where to focus our efforts. I will advise shortly.
Unfortunately, what we did have in the USA is sold out and we are trying to reorganize their wines for our next shipment.
They do make a private label for Target called Step by Step of their Sauvignon Blanc as well.


Jehturner, cauquenes is SW of Parral and between Ruta 5 and Pelluhue, which is where I spent my nights while visiting the vineyard, in a cabin overlooking the ocean of which I believe no longer exists.
Its not a place you would ever go to if you didnt know it or had a reason. The other thing they are known for is their Fruit Fair since its the main hub of the Maule region for fruit production. They have great produce in the region and most is organic by nature.

As once described to me by the largest Pais grower, one day the people from Europe came here and told me my grapes were organic, so I said, what do you mean. They went ahead and explained the process and they asked for my thoughts and I said, I never knew it was organic until you told me it was, I never knew any different.
This is an area that was underserved and thus they never had the money to buy agrichemicals for fertilizers, etc.

In Chile, look for the brands, Lomas de Cauquenes and Las Lomas. In the UK, Equality brand, in the USA, Melania, Step by Step and I will advise if I get any more info tomorrow.

ok here is the update from the General Mgr of Vina Lomas de Cauquenes. There is a delay in this years harvest due to weather however all is on schedule otherwise.
The problem area is with the farmers that tend the land. Their adobe houses were completely destroyed and all need housing.
They need construction materials asap. They have asked for wood, zinc, plastic, etc and help providing those materials.

I came across this AP story last night and wanted to post it as it mentions Lomas de Cauquenes as well as Vinas Galan, the winery where my cousin works.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100323/ap_on_bi_ge/lt_chile_shaken_winemakers