Winery of the Month Series: Cacique Maravilla
Cacique Maravilla have developed quite a cult following in our store among our more naturally inclined consumers. We’ve been a fan of these wines for years, even before we were able to meet the couple behind this extraordinary project in Chile’s Bio Bio Valley. The wines, simply put, taste insane. The experiences are absolutely singular, distinctive, and beyond unique. In remembering my first experiences with their Pais I recall being excited and confounded by it. There really isn’t anything on earth quite like it. Hugely flavorful, massively aromatic, super spicy, super light, and absolutely tannin-less. I probably drank 4 or 5 bottles in that month just trying to wrap my brain around what was happening.
Cacique Maravilla is the project of Manuel Moraga Gutierrez, a fourth generation winemaker in Bio Bio. His vineyard holding are truly impressing and totally enviable. He has some of the world’s oldest vines, and maybe even the oldest Pais, and they’re all planted on a stunning permaculture estate. It wasn’t until 2010 however when Manuel’s family first started a wine brand and stopped just selling wine bulk. For the first time ever, the Gutierrez family had a proper winery.
When we met Manuel last year we were completely impressed. He’s the realest of the real. The farm is run with almost no modern technology or know-how. Compared to the manicured, neat rows you find in California, Manuel’s vineyards look like utter chaos. Even the tool he uses for punch downs seems prehistoric (it’s just a giant stick pulled out of the woods) and literally nothing is added the wines. All things considered, that’s probably what makes these wines so different, they just aren’t made in a familiar or sensible way and we don’t want that to change. We’re super excited to get to show off the wines of Cacique Maravilla and especially excited to get to offer them at a discount all month long.
Cacique Maravilla Pipeno Pais$19.99 $17.99
Cacique Maravilla Chacoli Pet Nat Rose $24.99 $22.49
Cacique Maravilla Vino Naranja Moscatel de Alejandria $23.99$21.59
ON SALE TROUGH THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
