Vinos Inacayal, La Patagua

The idea behind this project is to create excellent value wines, as naturally as possible that faithfully reflect the place they come from. Luca Hodgkinson is a French/English/Spanish expat, who consults for many wineries in Chile and has his own business sourcing grapes from sustainable and in many cases organic vineyards.

‘Inacayal’ is a Quechua (indigenous peoples of South America) word which loosely translates ‘old thing’. The chosen indigenous name is relevant as the grapes authentically Chilean, this is a nod to the old vines used in this this project.

The grapes are 90% Semillon (pockets of Sauvignon Vert vines also co-planted in the same vineyard, but not declared) and 10% Moscatel. The cooler climate Moscatel is harvested a month before the Semillon and Sauvignon Vert. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and settled in cold for 2 days, then racked.

Fermented was in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. Followed by a short elevage in stainless steel before bottling. Bottled unfiltered and with modest levels of sulphur used. Much lower than normal at this price.