Our new grape plants have arrived from France and they will soon be spreading roots in Apu's argilo-calcaire soils. Here at one of the highest wineries and vineyards in the world, we are growing up (in altitude) and growing out (expanding). This growth will help us achieve one of our main goals: to revolutionize viticulture in Peru by shifting vineyards from the Pacific coast to high-altitude microclimates in the Andes. We hope that by expanding our vineyards and experimenting with new varieties, others will follow our lead and invest in the incredible viticultural potential of the Andes. The optimal conditions at these high altitudes provide ample opportunities for producing more premium Peruvian wine for worldwide consumption.
We have two main plots at different altitudes. Our largest vineyards, located at 2,850 meters, are currently producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese and Malbec. We will be planting more quantities of those varieties and also adding Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
By mid-May, our vineyards at 3,300 meters will be lined with Malbec, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. We chose Malbec and Chardonnay for this high altitude because of their successful track record as traditional “Andean” varieties. Pinot Noir was also a viable choice because the climate is cooler and sometimes foggy at 3,300 meters, which should be an excellent habitat for these vines.
As with all grapevines we plant here, we believe these will be successful because they are grafted with a special root-stock for limestone soils.
By the end of August of this year, we will have 7 hectares (17.3 acres) planted, leaving us with 3 hectares of open space for us to experiment with in the future. Stay tuned for our future growth plans, as we may purchase more land or import more varieties!
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