Vineyards

      Loncomilla lies some 80km from the Pacific Ocean and its Antarctic Humboldt current. Cool breezes coming off the ocean are swept into the Loncomilla Valley in the late afternoon, tempering the effect of the ripening season's hot, sunny days. The diurnal temperature variation that is so important to viticulture in Chile is particularly pronounced in Loncomilla. There can be up to 20°C difference between the day-time and night-time temperatures here, meaning that grapes benefit from a cooling off period overnight. This extends the ripening period and allows grapes to achieve full phenolic ripeness.

       

      The climate can be classified as Mediterranean, and there is significantly more rainfall over the winter months than in more northern parts of Chile like the Maipo Valley. This rainfall helps to ensure that the water content in the ground is sufficient to sustain vines over the long, dry summers. While some vineyards use irrigation over the summer months, many have chosen a dry-growing technique where irrigation is forgone to reduce yields and increase flavor concentration in the grapes. 

   

     Bordeaux varieties abound in Loncomilla, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Carmenere all featuring heavily in the vineyards. Chardonnay and Carignan are produced in the region as well.