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Álvaro Espinoza is a legend in Chilean winegrowing, having played a vital role in the establishment Organic and Biodynamic viticulture and as part of the team at Vina Carmen that established the true identity of Carménčre (previously thought to be Merlot) in the 1990's. His work over the past 25 years has profoundly changed wine in Chile. Under his stewardship thousands of acres of vines have been converted to either Organic or Biodynamic viticulture. As a result, in 2007 in association with Wine & Spirits Magazine he was awarded "Wine Personality of the Year" at the International Wine Challenge in London.
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Álvaro at harvest
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In our offices Álvaro is lovingly referred to as one of our "Wine Jedi", a term we use to refer to winemakers whose wines reflect an understanding of environment that seems to be almost spiritual. Possessing deep understanding of soil, vine and grape Álvaro produces wines of harmony and balance that are true expressions of place.
Today we are pleased to offer a tiny allocation of Antiyal, Álvaro's flagship wine, produced from his miniscule biodynamically farmed home vineyard (production is just 400 cases). This is true 'garage wine'. Antiyal - a Mapuche word that means "sons of the sun"- symbolizes for Álvaro all he has come to understand about grape growing and wine-making. "We formed Antiyal to teach our children -and all who would listen- about the earth, work and wine" says Alvaro. This is a perfect cases study for biodynamic wine - rich, vibrant, and multi-layered, full of savory/gamy/stony complexity.
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