Caliterra Merlot 2002

The Eduardo Chadwick family originally created Caliterra in 1989 as a sister project to the family-owned Viña Errazuriz of Chile. Caliterra developed its own distinct style, however, by sourcing fruit throughout Chile's prime wine-growing regions. Caliterra was named for la calidad de la tierra, because it reflects the "quality" (calidad) and the "finest land" (tierra) of Chile. From the beginning, Caliterra focused on discovering new vineyard sources, seeking the best quality for each variety.

In 1996, the Chadwicks entered into a partnership with the Robert Mondavi family, which presented an ideal opportunity for us to realize our global vision of winemaking centered on an exchange of cultures and winemaking philosophies.

"We saw the same potential in Chile that we saw in Napa Valley 30 years ago," said R. Michael Mondavi, President and CEO of Robert Mondavi. "But most importantly, with Caliterra we saw people who are dedicated to producing wines that belong in the company of the greatest wines in the world."

Caliterra quickly evolved into a true working partnership. In the vineyards, viticulturists Pedro Izquierdo of Chile and Andy Bledsoe of California work together on all aspects of winegrowing, including planning new vineyard sites, managing existing vineyards and harvesting the grapes at their peak. They concentrate their efforts on finding the best vineyard sources for each variety.

In 1998, Caliterra crushed its first vintage at La Arboleda, a new, state-of-the-art winery located in the Colchagua Valley. Colchagua, which is located within the Valle Central appellation, is quickly becoming one of Chile's premiere regions for red varieties. Looking ahead, Caliterra will continue to explore the potential of Chilean wines as newer vineyards develop. The partners also plan to build a visitors center.