When we think of the Maule Valley, we don’t see it only as Chile’s largest wine region. For our team at Viña Morandé, it is a living mosaic of stories, traditions, and contrasts. It was precisely this heritage that inspired us to create the Terroir Wines line: a way of translating the richness of this land into wine.

Vast and diverse, Maule brings together sun-drenched plains, coastal hills swept by cool breezes, and a fertile central corridor where each variety finds its place. Working here has shown us how the Mediterranean climate, moderated by the Andean winds, creates a crucial diurnal temperature shift that allows grapes to ripen with balance, concentrating aromas and flavors.

The soils, mostly granite-based and shaped over millions of years, further reinforce this character, especially in the Secano Interior and Secano Costero zones, where vines grow without irrigation. In this setting, head-trained, century-old vines reveal the true authenticity of Maule.

With Terroir Wines, our aim is to both preserve and reinterpret the winemaking tradition of this region. We work hand in hand with small, artisanal growers, reviving ancestral practices through a contemporary lens. For us, this line embodies a “new old Chile”: wines deeply connected to history, yet forward-looking.

Over time, however, we realized our portfolio would not be complete without turning to another ancestral territory: the Itata Valley. Located in the Biobío region, between San Carlos and Bulnes, Itata is one of the cradles of Chilean viticulture, with more than four centuries of tradition. It is a very special place for us, where small vineyard plots are still tucked between forests, rolling hills, and pine groves.

Itata was once known as the “heart of Chilean wine.” In the 19th century, it accounted for nearly 80% of the country’s production. Later, it lost ground to the French-inspired styles that dominated the central valleys, but its essence never faded. Here, we find old vines of Cinsault, País, and Muscat planted in granite and sandy soils, under a cool, humid Mediterranean climate marked by windy summers. This allows for slow, balanced ripening, resulting in wines of vibrant freshness, finesse, and remarkable singularity.

By bringing together Maule and Itata, the Terroir Wines line gained even greater depth. Two valleys, different in character, yet together embodying our purpose: to showcase a Chile that honors its heritage while constantly reinventing itself. A bridge between the old and the new Chilean wine scene.

The Terroir Wines portfolio features three wines:

• Terroir Wines Semillón (Maule): A white wine with bright freshness and balanced acidity, revealing citrus notes, hints of pear, and a delicate touch of honey. In Maule, Semillon shows unique versatility, uniting juiciness and elegance in perfect harmony.
• Terroir Wines Cinsault – País (Itata): Light to medium-bodied, juicy and vibrant, marked by fresh fruit flavors and an honesty that captures the essence of Itata.
• Terroir Wines Carmenère – Malbec (Maule): This fusion of two varieties delivers notes of black fruit, cedar, and clove. On the palate, it is round, layered, and complex, with a structure that reflects the richness of the region.