Located between parallels 30° and 40° South latitude, few places in the world are as suitable for the production of wines as the vine and wine-growing valleys of Chile. On average, Sunrise´s vineyards receive 300 days of sun per year, allowing our winemakers to craft expressive, deep and lush wines.
Location Close to the city and South from Santiago, it limits at the East with the Andes Mountain Range and with the Coastal Mountain Range at the West. Its northern boundary is the Chacabuco mountain chain and at the South, Angostura de Paine.
This Valley is divided into three zones: High Maipo (650 meters over the sea level); Middle Maipo (550 and 650 m.) and Low Maipo (less than 550 m.)
Maipo plains receive the force of the waters coming downwards from the highest mountain range, bringing thaw waters, rich in oxygen and minerals that irrigate generously the vines along the water courses.
Climate Semi-arid Mediterranean, with great differences in temperature between day and night.
Summer temperature High Maipo presents a maximum temperature of 86°F. Here, night temperatures tend to be low, since they receive the drainage of the cold air coming from the Andes Mountain Range. This thermal range can go over 68°F daily, which favors tannins good ripeness, acidity preservation, sugar concentration, color, bouquet and wine body.
Yearly rainfall average 11.81 inches to 17.72 inches
Soil Loam with clay and lime textures. Abundance of stones in depth, giving the soil a great permeability.
Varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Others: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in certain microclimates.
Location Begins 37.28 miles South from Santiago, between Rancagua city in the North, and Chimbarongo town in the South. The special features of this valley are privileged for the production of fine wines due to its climate and soil conditions, and allow the cultivation of a wide range of cépages. It is divided into two zones -Cachapoal and Colchagua- which have acquired a great international prestige, appropriate to the development of red varieties as Carmenere, Merlot and Shiraz.
Climate Hot Mediterranean and cold Mediterranean, according to the zone.
Summer Temperature Hot. Maximum temperature can reach 91.4°F, with a thermal oscillation of 69.8°F.
Yearly Rainfall Average 24.016 inches
Soil Clayish loam, sandy loam.
Varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, Chardonnay and Carmenere.
Location Located 124.27 miles South from Santiago, Curicó is a zone of wide plains in which the vine and wine-growing has been developed due to the valley's favorable climate at the central zone of Chile, and also to the waters that supply Mataquito, Lontué, Teno and Claro rivers.
This Valley is privileged with a wide range of fine vines due to its climate and soil conditions that allow the production of a great variety.
Climate Hot Mediterranean and cold Mediterranean.
Summer temperature Maximum temperature can reach 95°F, with a thermal oscillation of 64.4°F.
Yearly Rainfall Average 27.56 to 31.5 inches. Rainfall in winter is irregular and presents a long dry season in which good weather is predominant.
Soil Clayish to clayish loam, and sandy loam.
Varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Carménère.
Location Maule Valley is in the Chilean Central Valley’s most southern zone. Its name comes from Maule River, located at 156.59 miles South from Santiago City. This offers generous soils and a long lasting wine production tradition blended with selected varieties from our grape nursery, our modern technology and wine elaboration know-how.
Climate Mediterranean, with great differences in day and night temperatures.
Summer temperatures In summer, the maximum temperature can reach 93.2°F, with a thermal change of 62.6°F.
Yearly rainfall average 27.56 to 29.53 inches.
Soil Lime clayish, loam and sandy loam.
Varieties Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer.
The Carmenere variety was originally from the Bordeaux region of France, where it was devastated by a plague called phylloxera over 100 years ago. However, this variety was found within Chile in the early 1990’s and today thrives in the highly acclaimed Central Valley. Low humidity and rain coupled with the warming hand of the sun allow this grape to achieve greatness in Chilean soils.
A smooth and approachable red wine with intense black plum and chocolate flavours. Carmenere wines combine the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and the softness of Merlot. 60% of the blend is aged in stainless steel tanks and the remaining 40% in three year old medium toasted French and American oak barrels for three months.
Most definitively a luxurious Chilean Merlot. The fertile soils of the Central Valley provide the winemakers with exceptional grapes where this smooth-tasting grape variety has reached the peak of excellence.
This ruby-red Merlot is soft and round, full of cherry and plum flavours, enhanced by elegant hints of cocoa and . Aged 90% in stainless steel tanks and 10% in three year old medium toasted French oak barrels for four months.
Our lush Cabernet Sauvignon is the result of the warm and dry summer conditions in the Central Valley that provides our grapes with depth and richness. Sheltered between the coastal range and the Andes Mountains, the vineyards enjoy cool night-time temperatures that add to the refined character.
A well-balanced red wine with juicy blackberry flavours and hints of cassis, chocolate, dry plums and a touch of vanilla. 70% of the blend is aged in stainless steel tanks and 30% in three year old medium-toast American oak barrels for three months.
Originally from the Rhone region of France, this variety has found an ideal habitat in the warmer regions of Chile´s Central Valley to deliver world-class wines.
This smooth, fruity Shiraz, is aged 35% in American oak and 65% stainless steel for 5 months, possesses a bright ruby-red colour with rich blackberry flavours and aromas of, pepper and toasted oak.
Chile’s long and narrow geography is an important factor for the cultivation of our Chardonnay vines. The Pacific coastal breezes meet the cooling, mountainous, Andean night air and deliver the crisp, fresh flavours that identify this wine.
This well-balanced and fresh, pale gold wine, presents rich, green apple and tropical fruit flavours and aromas. Aged for two months in stainless steel tanks.
Cool currents from the Pacific Ocean strongly influence the growing conditions for our Sauvignon Blanc, allowing a slow ripening process that delivers crisp and fresh flavours.
A vibrant and fresh Sauvignon Blanc with elegant fruit and citrus flavours is the result of a controlled fermentation with additional ageing in stainless steel tanks for 2 months.
This rosé wine is made from Merlot grapes which produces a fresh, easy drinking and fruity summer wine.
This wine passes through a two hour process of cold maceration in order to extract its distinctive colour, prior to its stainless steel tank ageing for two months. The result is an attractive strawberry-pink coloured wine full of red fruit and cherry flavours with floral aromas.
Chile is a long and narrow country of 4,329 kms in length on the extreme southwest of South America, with an average of 180 kms from west coat to the eastern border. This country is particularly distinguished by its very wild and diverse geography.
The geographic, soil and climactic diversity within Chile’s wine-growing regions create ideal conditions to produce complex and unique wines. Each valley and vineyard has its own micro-climate that produces subtle variances in flavour and style from the grapes that are grown.
Northern Chile is a land of extreme contrast, where two uniquely Andean environments, the Altiplano and the Atacama Desert combine with breathtaking sites.
The Altiplano, meaning high plateau receives tropical rains in January and February which gives life to lakes, marshes, salt flats, and geysers, beside 20,000 foot volcanoes.
The colorful Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world which only receives water that drains west form the Altiplano. This water transforms the landscape, creating a trail of vegetation and cultivation, human habitation and wildlife habitat, salt flats and even, salt mountains.
Further south of Northern Chile, the beaches of La Serena, rise high into the mountains, where the world’s clearest skies are home to the most important telescopes in the world.
From north to south, the principal destination cities in Northern Chile are Arica, Iquique, Calama, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta and La Serena.
Trekking, Ethnic and overland tours, mountaineering and archaeological tours are among the most popular activities in Northern Chile.
Chile’s largest cities are located here: Santiago, Valparaíso and Concepción along with its Universities, Industries, Agricultural lands, and Vineyards.
Santiago, a modern city located between the coast to the west and the Andes to the east has more than 6,000,000 habitants (one third of Chile’s population approximately).
To the west, Santiago connects with Valparaíso and San Antonio, the country’s largest ports, and Viña del Mar, “The Garden City” one of Chile's premier beach resorts, with excellent hotels and shopping.
East of Santiago in the Andes Mountains, only 45 minutes away lies Chile´s world class Ski resorts such as Valle Nevado and El Colorado, these operate during Chilean winter, between June and September.
From Santiago to the southern point of Central Chile forms “Valle Central”, the central valley in which most of the vineyards are located. Due to the geography and surroundings of this valley (cool ocean and Andes mountains), it brims with unique climatic and soil conditions for the cultivation of the vine which gives birth to Chile’s great and worldwide known wines.
Skiing, hiking and mountaineering, mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting and wine touring are amongst the most popular activities in Central Chile.
Concha y Toro offers daily tours through its vineyards and cellars in Pirque, only 40 minutes southeast of Santiago. http://www.conchaytoro.cl/visit/f_tours.html
Chile’s southern region is the scene of great natural adventures between volcanoes, glaciers, icebergs, torrential rivers, rainforests, lakes, ice fields and fjords.
The cities of Valdivia, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt are start off points for excursions through the chain of beautiful lakes which nose into the Andes, in some places to the point in which it marks the Chile-Argentina border.
Further south begins the Patagonia region of Chile.
Northern Patagonia is one of the world's last great expanses of wilderness, accessed by a gravel highway known as the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway). Here the port of Chaitén provides access to the northernmost portions of the Carretera Austral, including world-class rafting in Futaleufú River, flyfishing, and cruises to glaciers, and different ice fields.
In Southern Patagonia, known as Magallanes lies one of Chile’s most visited natural parks, Torres del Paine and World Biosphere Reserve, which are the most famous of the vast protected areas of Magallanes, preserving habitat for guanacos, foxes, rheas and flamingos.
Punta Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes province. Facing the Straits of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego, this city is the principal departure point for cruises and flights to Tierra del Fuego, to the Canal Beagle, Isla Navarino, Cape Horn and Antarctica.
Mountian climbing, trekking, kayaking, horseback riding, rafting, thermal spas, fly-fishing, canopying and rappelling are only some of the great adventurous activities you can find in Chile’s southern region.
Sunrise wines can be enjoyed on any occasion, especially if the mood is relaxed friends: a relaxed party an everyday meal, a weekend barbecues or even an impromptu picnic.
This wine pairs perfectly with red meats, especially beef and lamb, as well as heavily spiced dishes. Also a perfect match with meats containing some fat, such as duck, since the fat coats the palate and protects it against youthful tannins of the wine.
For cheese lovers, enjoy matching this wine with a mature cheese such as Parmesan and Gruyere.
Medium bodied dishes, rather than extremely heavy food, complement Merlot the best, such as turkey, chicken and poultry in general.
This wine also pairs well with pastas in general and can even be served with certain strongly flavoured fish such as tuna and salmon and pork that is not highly greasy. Merlot’s texture is soft and velvety and is a perfect companion for dishes containing sweecorn due to the affinity produced by the sweetness.
Carmenere wines achieve highly intense colours and expressive aromas such as herbs, black pepper and cooked red pepper. Perfect for a relaxed Sunday night Pizza. This wine also matches patés and duck liver or wild boar terrines, especially if they include some pepper. Carmenere works well with sweet-and-sour food as well as typical home-style stews and casseroles.
Sauvignon Blanc is the natural partner for most shellfish: clams, mussels, oysters and scallops, amongst others. This variety is also the best white wine choice for many salads, soups, and green vegetable dishes. It works well with many appetizers and first courses since it’s a light bodied wine as well as an ideal match to white fish. Use fresh herbs whenever possible with Sauvignon Blanc, they help complement the natural herbal quality in the wine.
This Chardonnay is fuller bodied than Sauvignon Blanc, and ideal to pair nicely cooked fish such as: Salmon, Trout, Tilapia, Tuna, Pike and Sea Bass, amongst others. Pastas with creamy white sauces pair well with this rich Chardonnay in addition to shellfish such as lobster, shrimp and prawns.
Sunrise Shiraz belongs to the heavier bodied wines of this range, which makes it ideal to match with heavier bodied dishes.Grilled lamb, Thai dishes, pork with a mustard sauce and all types of pasta with a spicy tomato sauce are perfectly complements to this rich, red wine.
A refreshing and soft rosé wine with intense red fruit, cherry and black cherry aromas. Ideal to serve chilled during summer time as a fresh and fruity aperitif with salads or sushi. Also great for dessert; accompanying red berries and sweet pastries such us Summer Fruit Pudding.
