Jose Luís Bastías and Daniela Lorenzo manage a remarkable six-hectare vineyard in the Maule Valley of Chile, which was originally planted in the early 19th century. During a visit in November, the unique characteristics of the vineyard, including its impressive 200-year-old bush vines, were striking.
Jose Luís, a fifth-generation vintner, met Daniela, an agronomist, during a trip to Santiago, and their shared passion led her to leave the city for the countryside. Their vineyard is situated where the Maule, Claro, and Loncamilla rivers converge, which experienced significant flooding in 2023. The floodwaters submerged the vineyard but eventually rejuvenated it by depositing new nutrients, a process Jose believes benefits the vines.
The vineyard primarily grows the País grape, with some younger varieties like Moscatel Negra, Semillon, and Torontel. Their natural winemaking approach employs traditional methods, including the use of a wooden Zaranda de Coligüe to destem grapes, followed by fermentation in concrete with no additives. The wines are then aged in amphoras and ecological foudres made from Raulí oak, with only minimal sulfites added at bottling.
Among the wines produced at Viña González Bastías, a few stand out:
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Viña González Bastías Terre Madre 2020: A 13% abv blend of Semillon and Torontel, recognized for its grainy texture and fresh citrus notes. Rating: 93/100.
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Viña González Bastías Naranjo 2022: This orange wine, made from Moscatel Rosada, Torontel, and País with 60 days on skins, presents aromas of mint and stone fruits. Rating: 94/100.
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Viña González Bastías Descabezedo 2024: A pale pink/red País Rojo with three days on skins, showcasing a juicy profile and vibrant acidity. Rating: 94/100.
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Viña González Bastías Salvaje 2023: A vibrant Cabernet Franc, noted for its fresh and vivid character with floral undertones. Rating: 95/100.
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Viña González Bastías Matorral 2020: A 100% País wine, aged in Rauli foudres, noted for its freshness and complexity. Rating: 95/100.
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Viña González Bastías Viognier Amarillo 2023: Sourced from Cauquenes, this wine features a saline minerality with fruit-forward notes. Rating: 95/100.
The legacy of Viña González Bastías is a testament to the resilience and quality of natural winemaking in one of Chile’s historic vineyards. More about their offerings can be explored on their official website.