Limari Valley Wines

Limari Valley is one of three DOs located in the Coquimbo region, 100km south of Elqui Valley. It is less elevated than Elqui but benefits from limestone soils, cooling sea breezes and the ‘Cachamanca’ fog that rolls in from the ocean. It is one of the driest Chilean wine regions, with very low rainfall, and relies on irrigation from the Limari river to support grape growing.

Chardonnay is the most successful grape grown here, producing a range of styles depending on which part of the valley it is grown. On the western coastal side, you get lighter-bodied wines with high acidity due to the cooling influences, which then become fuller the further inland you travel and these influences lessen. Sauvignon Blanc is also producing some superbly elegant wines here. In terms of reds, Syrah is king, with the same climactic influences affecting the style of wine. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere grow well in the warmer areas. It is worth noting that the far east of the region climbs into the Andes at over 1,500m above sea level, where restrained, cool climate wines are beginning to gain traction.