Can you tell us about your estate?

The Antiyal estate covers a total of 20 hectares, 10 of which are vineyards. The grape varieties planted are Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Grenache.

We produce approximately 60 tons of grapes per year, which represents around 35,000 bottles per vintage.

The first plantings were made in 2003 with 4.5 hectares, then we planted the "Pura Fe" vineyards from 2010 to 2012.

Our farm has been certified organic and biodynamic since its inception (2005).

Biodynamics is a given for you. What are the differences from conventional farming?

The most important biodynamic practice for us is organizing the property as a self-sufficient system. We must organize our farm with minimal inputs: everything we need to produce the grapes must come from our own farm. This means, for example, having animals on the estate that will produce the manure needed to make compost to maintain the farm's fertility.

The idea behind this biodynamic production system is the opposite of conventional agriculture, which is a high-input system where everything the soil needs comes from outside the farm. The products of "conventional" farms will therefore all tend to resemble each other.

In biodynamics, our "closed-loop" production system allows us to express the true character of the place, the identity of our farm. We don't copy other vineyards; on the contrary, we seek to express the character of our own terroir.

You have dedicated your life to wine for over 30 years. How do you see the evolution of Chilean viticulture?

Chilean viticulture has evolved considerably over the past 30 years. In the 1990s, we began introducing new grape varieties to the country and discovering old varieties that had (almost) disappeared in Europe, such as Carménère. We also planted vines in new areas, for example, the Pacific coastal regions, such as Casablanca and San Antonio. But also in the south, such as Malleco, and even in the far south of Patagonia, such as Chile Chico. Organic, biodynamic, and regenerative farming practices have also developed in Chilean viticulture.

And personally, at Antiyal, what lessons have you learned?

I learned from Antiyal that the wine market is not easy. It takes many years for a new winery to establish itself in a highly competitive market. It also takes a long time to understand innovations in the wine sector. For example, the development of a new grape variety, Carménère (in which I played a role), or the promotion of organic and biodynamic viticulture, which was also a difficult experience.

Can you tell us more about the vintages we offer: Pura Fe, Kuyen, Antiyal Assemblage, and Escorial?

Antiyal Assemblage is a wine we began producing in 1998. It is a blend of Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a little Syrah. Like all our wines, it comes from certified organic and biodynamic vineyards. It is also vinified with minimal intervention, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, a long maceration of almost a month, and no use of any products, enzymes, gelatin, or albumin. No treatments are used. The Antiyal blend is aged for 14 months, 60% in French barrels (new and one-year-old) and 40% in egg-shaped cement vats. The wine remains in the bottle for 18 to 24 months before being released.

Antiyal Carménère "Viñedo Escorial" is a 100% Carménère selected from our best vineyard planted in 2003 and aged 100% in egg-shaped concrete vats for 12 months.

The moon, like the sun, has a profound relationship with organic and biological energies. Ancient farmers knew this and followed its natural rhythms to work the land for thousands of years without chemical intervention. Kuyen, which means "moon" in the Mapuche language, is our tribute to these wise men and their ancient methods, forgotten by conventional agriculture. This red wine possesses plenty of energy and a rich fruity aroma with notes of terroir and spice on the finish. A seductive complexity refreshes the palate and offers excellent aging potential. Aged in 100% French oak barrels for twelve months (1/3 new, 1/3 second-use, 1/3 third-use). The grape varieties are Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, and Petit Verdot.

"Pura Fe" is a wine of great expression, yet fresh, elegant, and easy to drink. It is aged for 10 months in oak barrels.