Von Siebenthal

This recently established, Swiss-owned estate is one of Chile’s best-kept secrets, a boutique operation that consistently produces a range of top-notch reds, some of the country’s finest. Von Siebenthal is based in the Panquehue sub-region of Aconcagua, until recently a relatively unknown part of the Chilean viticultural landscape. With a mere 25 hectares of vineyards, this is a minute player by local standards. Small quantities of striking and seductive wines are made, under the stewardship of the property’s owner, Mauro Von Siebenthal. It is his dedication and absolute passion for quality winemaking that has propelled Von Siebenthal towards the ranks of Chile’s best niche producers.

Mauro is a long time wine lover but has only recently focused his energies into wine production. In fact, until 2009 he ran a successful legal firm in the Swiss town of Locarno, where he was partially based until the call of Chile was too much to resist. After 25 years of law books and judgments, he dreamed of planting vineyards in Europe but the often stifling bureaucracy and appellation rules drove him to look further afield. After enjoying many a bottle of Chilean wine, he finally decided upon founding his winery in Panquehue, a sub-region of the Aconcagua Valley. He began planting red varieties in 1997, taking full advantage of the exceptional terroir the area gave him. For the next 12 years, Mauro divided his time between Switzerland and Chile, never was a man busier or more dedicated to ensuring that his wines were of the highest quality. A chance meeting with Oenologist Stefano Gandolini was the final piece of the puzzle when Robert Parker awarded his Carmenère 97 points, Mauro knew he had achieved what he set out to. And yet, this was just the beginning.

Today, the estate continues to strive to craft the best possible wines that reflect a sense of place; every vintage is another hallmark that Mauro sets out to achieve. The secret of their success has always been based on the passion and drive of Mauro and the unique terroir which he quickly sought to cultivate. The vineyards are planted on exceptional, hillside sites, the sandy, stony soils are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah while the low-lying clay-limestone soils suit their Merlot and Cabernet Franc. All the wines show a vibrancy that is unmatched in the region, rich, structured but opulent wines that brim with spicy, ripe blackberry fruit. With growing conditions that offer over 320 days of sunlight, ideal soils and almost no risk of disease, you can see why locals refer to Panquehue as a winemaking paradise.