Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
For more than 25 years Veramonte has been recognized in Chile and worldwide for the consistent quality of its wines.
Veramonte produces distinctive wines that are expressions of their origins. The winery is located in Casablanca, and the original vineyards were situated in a valley in Casablanca that when planted in the late 1990s was unknown to the wine industry. Veramonte was the first to invest seriously in the area and the project expanded later into other valleys and brands, with vineyards in the renowned winemaking regions of Casablanca (perfect for whites and cool-climate reds) and Colchagua (warmer and ideal for red varietals).
Veramonte follows organic practices throughout their estate, with a number of the wines now being officially certified ‘Made with Organic Grapes’. These practices ensure optimum conditions for vine growth and that the vineyards are sustainable over time. Living, balanced soil produces quality grapes that express the fullest potential of the terroir.
Tied to the history of the so-called “lost grape of Bordeaux,” Carmenѐre, the story of Chilean Merlot is a fascinating one. For decades in Chile the former was actually thought to be Merlot, so the two were typically planted together and harvested at the same time. Since Merlot is an early-ripening variety and Carmenѐre much later-ripening, the resulting wines often tasted unripe and vegetal. Not until 1994 was Chilean Carmenѐre identified correctly. As awareness grew, growers and winemakers began handling both grapes more optimally, leading to significant improvement in the wines.
Today Merlot ranks as the third most planted variety in Chile, behind Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. It is mostly found in the following valley DO’s, from north to south: Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curicó and Maule. It can appear both in blends or on its own. Either way, Chilean Merlot tends to show characteristic aromas and flavors of ripe plums, dark berries and herbs, often accented by oak, with a mouthfeel that is round and full.