Introducing Antiyal : Álvaro Espinoza's Personal Project
Álvaro Espinoza is one of the finest winemakers in South America today, as well as one of the foremost biodynamic winemakers in the world. After getting a start in the industry at Undurraga, in 1986, Álvaro spent two years studying winemaking in Bordeaux, working at Château Margaux, and then over to Champagne, at Moët & Chandon. Upon his return to Chile, he moved to Viña Carmen, where he worked as winemaker until 2000, taking a sabbatical in 1998 to work with California’s Bonterra. With a keen interest in organic and biodynamic viticulture, he founded a consultant company called Geo Wines, where he worked with several different wineries, including Viñedos Emiliana, Viña Undurraga, Viña Quintay, Viña Perez Cruz, and Viña Apaltagua, introducing biodynamics to Chile.
Álvaro was one of the first winemakers in Chile to correctly identify, and bottle a Carmenère.
In 1996, Álvaro and his family planted two acres of vines around their home in Maipo. In 2003, they planted their El Escorial estate in the rocky volcanic / basaltic soils of the Andean foothills with over 25 acres organic / biodynamic vines at 500m.
With their Antiyal label, they have successfully created a healthy environment where animals, microbes, plants, landscapes, and workers coexist, respecting each other's rhythms.
We are proud to introduce the wines of Antiyal to Ontario, with 6 wines newly landed and available in consignment.
We also have created a special limited edition Mixed Case Antiyal six pack, so you have the opportunity to taste through the portfolio.
Most of our producers are small, independently owned and operated businesses, like ours. You can view our complete portfolio here. Thank you for letting us share these producers and wines with you.
Cheers,
Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
bernard@lesommelier.com
