A la Mar 2023 by Roberto Henríquez is a truly special red wine and part of a solidarity project that supports a small community of fishermen in Chile’s southern Bio-Bio region. The grapes come from old, ungrafted Cinsault, Merlot, and País vines, growing in the granitic soils of Itata. This imaginative blend delivers juicy red fruit that leaves no one unmoved, making us wonder why País spent so many years in obscurity. Oh—did we mention it’s produced for one vintage only, in very limited quantities? This may be your only chance to try it.
Roberto Henríquez is one of those rare winemakers who strive to keep the tradition and history of a lesser‑known region alive, driven by deep dedication and a clear vision. After studying and traveling through South Africa, Canada, and France, he returned to Bio-Bio in 2015. There, cultivating the dry-farmed, 100‑plus‑year‑old vineyards of the area using biodynamic principles, he revived the nearly vanished winemaking heritage of Itata. Today, he is rightly regarded as one of the most important representatives of Chile’s new generation of producers.
For A la Mar 2023, Henríquez combined Cinsault, Merlot, and País from the mountainous vineyards of the Cordillera de Nahuelbuta, where the great diversity of soils allows each variety to express itself uniquely. The grapes are hand‑harvested, and fermentation is carried out with ambient yeasts, with a proportion of whole clusters depending on the vintage. For ageing, the wine rests in neutral, old barrels that add no extra aromas, preserving the character of each grape and highlighting the distinctive identity of Itata.
A la Mar 2023 is a wine born from the producer’s passion and vision for his homeland—so it could only be just as unique. And we’re certain you’ll fall in love with it too.
