Álvaro Espinoza: Biodynamic Guru

Álvaro Espinoza has gained the reputation of a well-respected winemaker and found tremendous success in biodynamic viticulture. He uses labor intensive farming methods to produce his award winning wines at Antiyal, his winery in the Maipo Valley of Chile. The small production 2010 Antiyal red blend is often referred to as Chile’s first “garage wine,” it is a careful blend of estate fruit: 47% Carmenère, 24% Syrah and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate recently awarded the 2010 Antiyal 93 points. Espinoza’s 2010 Kuyen red blend is his “baby Antiyal.” It is a rich blend of 57% Syrah, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Carmenère and 2% Petit Verdot. It received 92 points and it was named an “Editor’s Choice” by the Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Antiyal is Espinoza’s laboratory, where his animals help keep the vineyards clean of weeds and pests and they return nutrients to the ground. The healthy vineyards produce fruit that is robust and the harvest is all done by hand, all the while following the biodynamic calendar giving the wine produced at Antiyal an absolute, full-circle sense of terroir. Espinoza on biodynamic farming, “When you organize a farm as a closed entity, and take care of the nutrients and fertility with minimal inputs, what comes out of it is related to the identity of the place.”

Alvaro is also the consulting winemaker at Apaltagua Winery in the Colchagua Valley. They are interested in his philosophy of natural farming methods and high quality, clean fruit. His expertise and commitment have helped establish Apalatagua as one of the top wineries in Chile:

2011 Reserva Chardonnay
2012 Rosé
2012 Reserva Pinot Noir
2011 Reserva Carmenère
2011 Reserva Malbec
2011 Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 Envero Carmenère
2010 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
2008 Grial Carmenère

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Global Vineyard is a wine importer with distribution in over forty U.S. states whose mission is to import the best appellation-based wines of Chile and Argentina, with a focus on new and emerging varietals and family-owned properties.

There are exciting South American wines that extend beyond mainstream varietals and regions. Global Vineyard’s goal is to get Americans excited about leading-edge, artisan wines from Chile and Argentina. There is growing demand for these wines, and Global Vineyard is uniquely positioned to introduce you to the wine stars of tomorrow.