Agricola La Mision
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Elena's connection to Chile runs deep. Inspired by her mother and the land's potential, she stumbled upon a treasure trove of ancient, ungrafted vineyards nestled between the Maule and BÃo BÃo valleys. These centuries-old PaÃs vines, some dating back 300 years, whispered tales of a forgotten heritage.
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Fuelled by passion and respect for tradition, Elena reached out to Nicola. Together, they envisioned a wine that would truly capture the essence of these historic grapes. They weren't interested in the easy-drinking style gaining popularity; they sought to craft a structured, complex expression of PaÃs.
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Their meticulous journey began in 2015. Nicola meticulously scoured the Maule Valley, learning from old producers and immersing himself in their time-honored practices. He hand-selected four hectares of these ancient vines, nurtured by dry-farming and basking on granitic soils.
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To honor the traditional methods, they procured an old lagar, a wooden vat for open-top fermentation, and old barrels for gentle aging. They even handcrafted a zaranda, a wooden destemmer operated by hand, adding a touch of human connection to the process.
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Unlike the trendy style, Pisador aimed for depth and nuance. Hand-destemmed and foot-trodden grapes underwent spontaneous fermentation and long maceration, all without filtration or added sulfites. Just pure, unadulterated fruit in every drop.
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The initial 2016 vintage yielded only 3300 precious bottles, each a testament to their dedication. As their love for this project grew, they acquired a second lagar and upped production slightly in 2017.
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So, why should you taste Pisador? It's more than just a wine; it's a journey through time, a tribute to forgotten traditions, and a testament to the unwavering passion of two friends. It's a chance to sip history, to experience the soul of ancient Chilean vines, and to discover a truly unique expression of terroir.