Lomas de Llahuen Pipeño 2024

Gustavo Riffo’s “Lomas de Llahuen” Pipeño is bursting with lively fruit flavors and rustic charm, embodying the spirit of tradition and innovation that defines Riffo’s approach -- a true testament to Chile’s winemaking heritage in every refreshing sip. Aromas of fresh floral strawberries and herbs are followed by juicy, fresh flavors of raspberries, strawberries, oranges and sandalwood, with hints of citrus and leather, medium acidity, and a smoky finish. Best served with a slight chill. The one liter bottle is made for everyday consumption, fun and friendly, not overly serious.

Pipeño is a rustic, artisanal, and easy-drinking Chilean wine that dates back to the 16th century. Traditionally made in southern Chile, it is crafted from indigenous, old-vine grapes, fermented naturally and stored in large wooden barrels called pipas. It is country wine through and through.

Lomas de Llahuén is a project launched by brothers Francisco and Gustavo Riffo in 1986, and they’ve since become quite famous in the Chillán market. Riffo’s Pipeño is 100% País from the family’s parcels of 200-year-old own-rooted vines in Portazuelo in the Itata Valley. The vines are densely planted on granitic clay-loam soils, and are unirrigated. The winemaking is very traditional. The grapes were destemmed and macerated on the skins and fermented with native yeasts for 15 days in stainless steel tanks, then aged for 11 months also in stainless steel. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, with a small amount of SO2.

The Itata Valley in southern Chile has emerged in recent years as the source of some of Chile’s most interesting wines. As it is south of Chile’s main winegrowing area in the Central Valley, Itata’s climate tends to be cooler, and varietals such as Carignan, País, and Cinsault have quietly thrived here for centuries.