Elqui Valley
Fast Facts
Falernia
Falernia Winemaker: Giorgio Flessati
Vineyard surface:
1050 acres
Owner:
Aldo Olivier Gramola
Winemaker:
Giorgio Flessati
Established:
1995
Location:
El Tambo
Commune:
Vicuña
Falernia was founded in 1998 after Aldo Olivier Gramola
realized the potential for producing superb wines in this
semi-arid valley. Aldo settled with his family in the Elqui
Valley in 1951 and began producing grapes and wine there
in 1975. The Falernia project was born after he met Giorgio
Flessati, an oenologist. Falernia is an innovative venture
given that Falernia is Chile’s most northerly wine estate, a
considerable distance from the country’s main winegrowing
areas. The driving force has been a passion for the wine
and the challenge of transforming a tract of desert into a
green vineyard with enormous potential for producing
premium wines, availing ourselves of the latest technology,
the support of agronomists from Chile’s universities and of
world renowned oenologists.
The winery is located in the Vicuña area at the end of Puclaro
lake and is equipped with state of the art technology. Among
the technology employed at Falernia is a sealed pneumatic
press which, in addition to producing perfectly-clear must by
applying very low pressures, also enabling the cold maceration
of white grapes prior to pressing, and stainless steel tanks
for temperature controlled fermentation (capacity 30,000
liters each). Other state of the art technology includes: tanks
with pistons to simulate the traditional method of punching
down the skins by hand, French and American oak barrels,
a refrigeration system for tartaric acid stabilization and
temperature controlled fermentation, cold sterile bottling
with a capacity of 5,000 bottles per hour, and a labelling
machine which applies self-adhesive labels.
The winery is in the process of being enlarged to
accommodate new planting coming into full production. The
grapes are exclusively hand-picked, harvested in small bins
containing 15 kg each, and are delivered to the winery for
processing within minutes of being picked. The total capacity
of the winery, at the moment, is 4.5 million liters.
PEDRO XIMENEZ: 100% Pedro Ximenez. The
grapes are handpicked into small bins and
immediately pressed. The juice is clarified
by natural sedimentations and fermented in
stainless steel tanks with selected yeasts. At
the end of the fermentation the wine has been
racked and aged in stainless steel tanks at low
temperature. No malolactic fermentation. Pale
straw yellow color, brilliant, a very attractive
nose with floral and aromatic notes, nice
medium body with balance of acidity, minerality and fruity
character.
For more information please visit our website www.empsonusa.com
© 2016 Empson (U.S.A.) Inc., Falernia is solely imported by Empson USA, Alexandria, VA
SAUVIGNON BLANC RESERVA: 100%
Sauvignon. 100% Sauvignon. The grapes are
hand-picked into small bins, de-stemmed,
crushed and cold macerated for 12 hours,
then softly pressed. The juice is clarified, then
fermented in stainless steel tanks (95%) and
in French oak barrels (5%). Aging on the fine
lees for six months with battonage and then
blended. Sauvignon Blanc is an intensely
aromatic dry white wine with ripe gooseberry,
citrus and apple fruit flavors and crisp acidity. Good
character (citrus and melon notes), acidity and a long crisp
finish on the palate. A very opulent wine.
VIOGNIER RESERVA:100% Viognier. The
grapes are hand-picked in small bins,
destemmed, crushed and cold macerated for
12 hours at low temperature, before pressing.
The juice naturally clarified and fermented in
stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature.
Aging on the fine lees for six months before
finishing and bottling Ripe gooseberry, citrus
and apple fruit flavors and crisp acidity. Brilliant
yellow with green reflections. The bouquet has
notes of tropical fruit and honey. Medium-bodied with nice
complexity.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
100% Cabernet. After the malolactic
fermentation, 40% of the wine ages in French
and American oak barrels and 60% stainless
steel for four months. Ruby red color, with a
nose of red fruit and blackberry. Spicy, fullbodied on the palate with soft tannins.
CARMENERE RESERVA: 100% Carmenere
from a vineyard located in the Vicuña area
called “Rio,” the grapes are handpicked very
late (beginning of June) after two more months
on the vines to get more concentration. Grapes
are partially dried. Fermentation takes place
in stainless steel tank with pistons to have
extraction of soft tannins, color and aromas of
over ripe fruits. Aging in barrels of American
oak, created by a top French barrel maker, for
six to eight months. Color is brilliant and deep, nose is very
intensive and very fruity. The wine shows an
incredible softness and body.
CARMENERE “PEDRISCAL” RESERVA
100% Carmenere. After full malolactic the wine
barrel ages for 12 months in new American oak
barrels made from a French company before
finishing and bottling. Color is brilliant and deep,
nose is very intensive and very fruity. The wine
shows an incredible softness and body.
palate.
CARMENERE-SYRAH RESERVA: 60%
Carmenere and 40% Syrah. This blend is made
33% from Carmenere “Appassimento” grapes.
Fermentation takes place in stainless steel
tanks 40% of the wine is aged in French and
American oak barrels for six to eight months
while 60% of the wine ages in stainless steel.
The wine shows a good fruit concentration
and on the nose black pepper, red fruit, dark
chocolate. Great body with soft tannins on the
MALBEC RESERVA: 100% Malbec. The grapes
are hand-picked, destemmed and crushed.
Fermentation takes place in stainless steel
tanks. After vinification, 30% of the wine is
aged in French oak barrels for eight months
before the wine is blended and rests in the
bottle. Dark ruby color, with aromas of red
berries with a hint of spice, juicy on the palate,
full bodied with round tannins, well integrated
oak character.
NUMBER ONE: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon,
25% Syrah, & 25% Carmenere. Fermentation
takes place in stainless steel with pistons to
extract soft tannins. Aged entirely in oak, the
Cabernet and Syrah are aged in French oak
and the Carmenere is aged in American oak.
Aging lasts for 12 months. Deep ruby red color,
clear aromas of red berries and hints of vanilla
plus white chocolate and pepper. Full bodied
structure on palate
PINOT NOIR RESERVA: 100% Pinot Noir.
The grapes are fermented in stainless steel
and undergo full mololactic. 60% of the wine
was matured in French new oak barrels for
six to eight months. Elegant nose with black
cherry notes and well integrated oak character.
Medium body, elegant tannins.
SYRAH RESERVA: 100% Syrah. After alcoholic
fermentation, 30% of the wine aged in French
oak barrels (new and 2-3 years old) to complete
malolactic fermentation for six months. Crystal
clear ruby tones, with delicate aromas of black
cherry and strawberry, and well integrated
French oak. Medium bodied wine, with elegant
tannins on the palate.