Garcés Silva is making notable strides in the wine industry within Chile’s Leyda Valley, although the winery itself remains relatively unrecognized. They are a key player in the area’s history, having collaborated with four other families to establish a 6.5 km pipeline from the Maipo River for irrigation. Given Leyda’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, approximately 10 km away, irrigation is vital due to the arid summers, with rainfall only occurring between April and September.
The low visibility of Garcés Silva can be attributed to its wines being marketed under different labels. While the Amayna brand is the most prominent, there are also Boya and Catalino (the latter sourced from Maule), which function independently in the market.
The winery benefits from its unique climate, heavily influenced by the cold Humboldt current from the Antarctic. This is crucial because Leyda is unshielded by coastal mountains unlike most other Chilean regions. In the hottest month of January, temperatures do not exceed 23 °C, making it an ideal location for cultivating cool-climate wines.
Garcés Silva manages around 100 hectares, which they have carefully cultivated over their 25 years of operation in Leyda. Although primarily focused on Sauvignon Blanc, the vineyard is also introducing Albariño, Riesling, and Sauvignon Gris.
Winemaker Diego Rivera has been instrumental in enhancing the wines, especially the reds, by emphasizing earlier picking, reduced oak usage, and lower extraction techniques to showcase the terroir. Rivera notes that Sauvignon Blanc has been Leyda’s star for the last decade, yielding the highest scores and sales, with Pinot Noir trailing closely behind. He expresses great appreciation for Syrah, which he believes embodies the region’s character, even if it doesn’t achieve the same sales success as Sauvignon.
With half of their estate planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Garcés Silva is noted for its commitment to organic farming and regenerative viticulture. Their production remains modest for Chilean standards, totaling around 240,000 bottles annually.
Recent tasting sessions highlighted the quality of their wines. At a joint tasting in November 2025 with Matetic and Casa Marin, Rivera presented wines that impressed local UK importers, marking a return of Garcés Silva to the UK market after a hiatus.
Here are some highlights from the tastings:
- Amayna Sauvignon Blanc 2025: Fresh and mineral, with citrus and pear notes. (93/100)
- Amayna Sauvignon Blanc Cordón Huinca 2025: Complex with lime and mineral finish. (94/100)
- Amayna Chardonnay 2023: Rich with a textural finish and hints of pear and peach. (93/100)
- Amayna Chardonnay 2024: Concentrated yet fresh, featuring pear and a touch of toast. (93/100)
- Boya Pinot Noir 2022: Juicy and assertive with cherry flavors. (93/100)
- Amayna Pinot Noir 2023: Elegant with layered flavors and a slightly tannic structure. (94/100)
- Catalino País 2023: Organic vines leading to a wine with pure red fruit expressions. (94/100)
- Amayna Syrah 2022: Noted for its distinctive character and cool-climate style. (94/100)
Overall, Garcés Silva is a winery to watch, as their commitment to quality and responsible farming practices in Leyda continues to yield intriguing wines. For more detailed information about Garcés Silva, visit their official website: Garcés Silva.