Los Vascos (Rothschild)

In 1981, the estate took the name of Los Vascos, in honor of the original owners. The reintegrated property totalled 2,200 hectares, including 220 hectares of vineyards in 1988, when the Eyzaguirre-Echenique family passed control to the Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite).

The pioneer ambition of DBR in Chile is the result of extensive research on the potential of local wines. Many properties were visited and many wines tasted before choosing Los Vascos because of its location near the ocean and its fabulous soil. Along with ideal weather conditions, Los Vascos benefits from intense exposure to the sun, adequate water sources, semi-arid soils, and little risk of frost. At 130 metres average elevation and just 40 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, the microclimate of Viña Los Vascos has the perfect formula for producing fine wines.

Gilbert Rokvam, Château Lafite Rothschild Technical Director from 1983 to 1994, directed vineyard restructuring and a replanting program. Water sources are secured through drillings, and a weather monitoring station was installed in the vineyards. The bodega was enlarged and modernized through several steps, in order to provide for new requirements in winemaking and in ageing (stainless steel tanks, pneumatic presses and barrel chais). Work in the vineyard and in the cellar was also conducted to enhance quality, and new local management was implemented under the supervision of Claudio Naranjo. Los Vascos now features a 560-ha vineyard in the heart of a 3,600-ha hacienda. It is one of the country’s largest single vineyards.