As the end of 2024 approaches, marking 30 years since the rediscovery of Carmenere in Chile, we wish to reflect on the recent harvest in Peumo and the reasons why this terroir is the ideal place for cultivating this variety in Chile. Watch the following video. 

“The soil in Peumo is very deep, we practically have no stones. There are two and a half metres of soil ranging from clay to sand, which is a cool soil, making Peumo’s Carmenere very different,” explains Marcio Ramirez, chief winemaker of the Cachapoal Valley winery, about Peumo’s terroir and its various benefits for cultivating Carmenere.  

Similar to the central region of Chile, the 2023-2024 season at Peumo vineyard was characterised by higher than average rainfall and a rather cool cycle, which delayed the harvest by about ten days.  

“The 23-24 season was very challenging, as it was considerably longer than other years because we had more rainfall than the previous year, between 500 and 600 millimetres, compared to around 290 the previous season, which meant there was a lot of moisture in the soil and the plant could grow very vigorously,” comments the winemaker of Carmín de Peumo and Terrunyo Carmenere wines.  

Regarding temperatures, Marcio Ramirez indicates that it was a rather cool season, with a cold and cloudy spring, resulting in a later fruit set. December and the first half of January were also less hot than usual, with cool nights, leading to a very extended veraison.  

“The Carmenere wines of the 2024 season are looking very attractive. They will be juicy, fresh, very long, with soft tannins,” the winemaker predicts about these wines.