The producer
Casas Patronales is a Chilean Maule producer with vineyards in Cauquenes, Pencahue and San Clemente, stretching from the Andean foothills to the coastal sector. Its red range includes Sabio, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Carignan blend, plus Gran Reserva Carmenere and Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. Rosé and white wines complete the portfolio. Environmental respect and sustainable practices are pillars of production. The winery name comes from traditional casas patronales, or casonas de fundo.
Known for
Maule reds from foothills to coast
Notable facts
- Casas Patronales began in the late 1980s, beginning with four hectares and apples before vineyards.
- Pencahue has 177 planted hectares.
- San Clemente has 415 planted hectares.
- Environmental respect and sustainable practices are pillars of the production process.
- Traditional casas patronales, or casonas de fundo, inspired the winery's name.
From the atlas
Casas Patronales
Chilean Maule producer with vineyards from the Andean foothills to the coastal sector, and a range of red, rosé and white wines.
At A Glance
| Field | Detail |
| Region | Maule Valley, Chile |
| Vineyard zones | Cauquenes, Pencahue and San Clemente |
| Grapes | Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Carignan, Carmenere, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot |
| Named bottle | Sabio |
| Range | Red, rosé and white wines |
The Producer
Traditional Chilean estate houses known as casas patronales, or casonas de fundo, inspired the winery's name. Casas Patronales works with vineyards in the Maule Valley and bottles red, rosé and white wines. The named red range includes Sabio, Gran Reserva Carmenere and Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. Environmental respect and sustainable practices are pillars of its production process.
Place
Pacific influence shapes the ripening climate at Cauquenes, 40 kilometres from the coast, where maximum temperatures are moderated and the ripening period lengthens. Pencahue has prolonged daytime heat during ripening and cold nights that help the grapes preserve their fruit. San Clemente sits in the Andean foothills and has a marked difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Casas Patronales has presence in the coastal, central and foothill sectors of the Maule Valley.
Soil And Site
Pencahue has 177 planted hectares. San Clemente has 415 planted hectares. Casas Patronales identifies special San Clemente terroirs for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Story
Casas Patronales began in the late 1980s, beginning with four hectares and apples before vineyards. By 2008, Pablo Castro participated in Casas Patronales with Nelson Murúa and Carlos Silva as his partners. The business now has vineyards in the Maule Valley and a range of red, rosé and white wines.
Vineyards And Cellar
Gran Reserva Carmenere and Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon undergo malolactic fermentation in French barrels and receive twelve to fourteen months of total ageing. Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a cold maceration for seven days at 5°C, then ferments in stainless steel at 27°C with selected yeasts. Cold maceration keeps the grapes below fermentation temperature so colour and aroma can develop before alcohol forms. Malolactic fermentation converts sharper malic acid into softer lactic acid, while stainless steel provides a neutral vessel and oak ageing allows gradual oxygen exchange.
Wines
The red range includes Maucho Malbec, Ñeque Cabernet Sauvignon, Sabio, Gran Reserva Carmenere and Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon. Sabio is a three grape red made from 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Malbec and 15% Carignan. Gran Reserva Carmenere is 100% Carmenere from Cauquenes in the Maule Valley. Gran Reserva Pinot Noir comes from the San Antonio appellation. Rosé and white wines complete the range.
In The Glass
Sabio opens with red fruit, spice and tobacco. Its palate is soft and full bodied, with balanced acidity and sweetness, sweet tannins and a long finish. Gran Reserva Carmenere shows black plum, pepper and smoke, followed by a velvety palate with silky, sweet tannins and a fresh, persistent close. Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon brings dried black fruit and toasted aromas. Mature tannins carry dried plums and vanilla through a persistent finish.
A Bottle To Understand It
The first bottle is Sabio, the 2021 Maule red. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak foudres. It then spends 18 months in French oak barrels in their third and fourth use, followed by six months in untoasted foudres after blending. Foudres are large oak vessels that allow gradual oxygen exposure with less direct wood flavour than a new small barrel. Its ageing potential is eight to ten years.
Anecdote
In 2001, the founders began renovating and enlarging an old winery, introducing high technology equipment as part of the project. The renovation changed the cellar before the commercial launch. In January 2003, Casas Patronales began selling wine in Chile and internationally. The winery's name came from traditional casas patronales, also called casonas de fundo, estate houses in the Maule Valley, specifically San Clemente, that received the best products harvested on surrounding farms.
Final Word
Casas Patronales combines Maule vineyard zones with a range that includes blended reds, a pure Carmenere bottling, rosé and white wines.
Sources
- https://casaspatronales.com/pages/la-vina
- https://casaspatronales.com/pages/terroirs
- https://valledelmaule.cl/vina-socia/vina-casas-patronales/
- https://www.df.cl/economia-y-politica/de-las-casas-a-los-vinos-la-formula-del-clan-castro
- https://casaspatronales.com/products/sabio-1
- https://casaspatronales.com/collections/premium-gran-reserva/products/gran-reserva-carmenere
- https://casaspatronales.com/products/gran-reserva-cabernet-sauvignon