[Interview] Why Cultivate Vineyards Friendly to Flora and Fauna... "High-Quality Wine Proves It"

Sebastian Ruiz 'Vina Tarapaca' Winemaker Interview
Winery Established in 1874 in Chile's Maipo Valley
Vineyard Managed with Active Biodiversity Conservation
Limited Edition Wine Released for 150th Anniversary This Year

"It is an undeniable fact that balanced wines are created in balanced ecosystems, and vineyards producing such wines will grow and develop in harmony with the ecosystem."

Sebastian Ruiz Flano, Chief Winemaker at Vina Tarapaca.

Sebastian Ruiz Flano, the head winemaker of Vina Tarapaca, emphasized in a recent interview with Asia Economy that Tarapaca manages its vineyards by actively preserving and restoring biodiversity. Grapes grown in a healthy ecosystem where various organisms coexist harmoniously can produce excellent quality wines, and Tarapaca has proven this with its high-quality wines.

Vina Tarapaca, founded in 1874 by the renowned oenologist of the time Francisco de Rojas y Salamanca in Chile's Maipo Valley, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Initially named 'Vina de Rojas' at its founding, Tarapaca later changed ownership and adopted its current name in 1927 to honor Arturo Alessandri, a senator from the northern Chilean Tarapaca region who was nicknamed 'The Lion of Tarapaca' and later served as president.

'Biological Corridor' created by Vi?a Tarapac?.

Seven years ago, Tarapaca launched a master plan under the slogan "Home of Biodiversity," aiming for sustainable wine production. Ruiz explained, "Tarapaca recognizes the importance of maintaining the natural and ecological balance of the vineyards and strives to protect and revive native species and indigenous flora and fauna." He added, "We have formed a team including agricultural economists, ecologists, and landscapers to preserve and restore the balance among plants and animals within the agricultural complex."

Tarapaca does not merely conserve the existing ecosystem but actively restores it. A representative initiative is the 'Biological Corridor.' Ruiz said, "We created pathways between the vineyards that separate the Andes and Coastal mountain ranges and planted various wild plants to allow animals to move freely." He continued, "Tarapaca owns a total of 2,600 hectares, but only 611 hectares are used for grape cultivation, with the rest serving as a habitat for biodiversity." He further explained, "Through these biological corridor projects, we are restoring natural food chains, and birds of prey such as the Andean fox and the common kestrel can be easily spotted."

Vina Tarapaca's vineyard landscape.

Ruiz emphasized that expanding biodiversity ultimately contributes to enhancing the completeness of the wine. He explained, "As the variety of species increases, the predator-prey relationships become more complex, strengthening the ecosystem." He added, "This helps prevent and resolve pests and diseases that could damage grape yields and quality without artificial intervention."

A healthy ecosystem also provides an environment where diverse wild yeasts can thrive on the grapes. In modern winemaking, yeast diversity is considered a crucial factor in determining a wine's character, as the variety of yeasts generated by the grape-growing environment can impart unique and complex flavors to the wine.

Additionally, Tarapaca is making various efforts toward sustainable wine production, such as using renewable energy in winery operations. They utilize biogas generated from organic waste during grape harvesting as an energy source and actively adopt eco-packaging by designing proprietary wine bottles and reducing the use of PVC foils, leading the way in waste reduction.

Vina Tarapaca's 150th Anniversary Commemorative Wine.

To celebrate its 150th anniversary this year, Tarapaca released a limited edition commemorative wine. This special wine reflects Tarapaca's commitment to biodiversity and is made by blending 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah, and 2% Cabernet Franc grown in the Maipo Valley. It features a pleasant acidity and a fine, rounded balance of tannins, and especially boasts the utmost elegance as it is made from selected 'old vines' grown in Tarapaca's oldest vineyards.

Winemaker Ruiz stated, "As grapevines age, they focus more on the concentration of fruit rather than the growth of trunks and branches, which is similar to the aging process in humans." He emphasized that as grapevines age, they concentrate on qualitative and internal growth rather than quantitative and external growth. He added, "Having worked at Tarapaca for over 30 years, it is like my own life," expressing pride by saying, "This 150th anniversary wine is a wine that strives to elegantly capture the condensed flavors of Tarapaca's long history."