Marcelo Papa and his fascination with Pinot Noir

We spoke with Marcelo Papa, Technical Director of Viña Concha y Toro and the winemaker behind Viña Amelia, about his connection to one of the world’s most admired grape varieties. Since the 1990s, he has dedicated his work to understanding the potential of Quebrada Seca, in the Limarí Valley, an exceptional origin in Chile’s extreme north that today gives life to Amelia Quebrada Seca Pinot Noir, one of the most acclaimed expressions of the variety.

What first attracted you to Pinot Noir and inspired you to work with this variety?

What attracted me most to Pinot Noir was its sensitivity. Few varieties reflect their place of origin as faithfully as Pinot Noir, and I have always been fascinated by its ability to express a terroir with such precision. As a winemaker, it presents a constant challenge because it requires you to observe, learn from, and deeply understand the vineyard. It is a variety that never stops teaching you something new.

Is Pinot Noir a challenging variety?

Without a doubt. Its delicacy is precisely what makes it so special. Every decision in the vineyard and winery has a significant impact on the final result. It demands constant attention and tremendous precision in order to preserve its identity. Yet that is also part of its appeal: when you find the right place and successfully interpret its potential, it can produce wines of remarkable sophistication and depth.

Why is Quebrada Seca a unique origin for this variety?

Because it brings together a combination of conditions that is extremely difficult to find in a single place. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean provides a cooling influence that moderates temperatures throughout the growing season, while the unique combination of red clay and calcareous soils contributes both depth and structure, as well as tension, precision, and minerality. Combined with the distinctive luminosity of the Limarí Valley, these elements create a particularly elegant and precise expression. It is a terroir that allows Pinot Noir to retain freshness, energy, and a very distinctive identity.

What characteristics make Quebrada Seca Pinot Noir unique?

I believe its defining hallmark is balance. It offers remarkable natural freshness, tremendous energy on the palate, and a depth that gradually reveals itself layer by layer. It also displays a pronounced sense of minerality and a refined texture that faithfully reflects the vineyard’s calcareous soils.

It is one of those uncommon Pinot Noirs that manages to combine lightness and structure at the same time: a wine of great fluidity, tension, and drinkability, inviting you to take another sip while also offering depth and substance. Its more ethereal and elegant profile, rather than diminishing its complexity, is precisely what gives it a unique identity. That combination of delicacy, energy, and structure is exceptionally rare and defines the distinctive character of Quebrada Seca.

How would you describe Amelia Quebrada Seca Pinot Noir?

Amelia Quebrada Seca Pinot Noir is the expression of an exceptional origin. It is a vibrant, precise, and elegant wine that captures the essence of one of Chile’s most distinctive territories for this variety. Each vintage seeks to convey the energy of the place and demonstrate how Pinot Noir can achieve remarkable complexity without sacrificing freshness or balance.

If you had to define Amelia Quebrada Seca Pinot Noir in three words, what would they be?

Precision. Energy. Elegance.

For those discovering Pinot Noir for the first time, how would you recommend enjoying this variety? And how do you enjoy it yourself?

My recommendation is to approach Pinot Noir patiently and without preconceived expectations. It is a variety that often captivates through detail rather than intensity. It is worth observing how it evolves in the glass and how it gradually reveals new aromatic and textural layers over time.

Personally, I enjoy Pinot Noir around a table, accompanied by good conversation and great food. It is a versatile wine that naturally invites sharing and always offers something new to discover.

What makes Pinot Noir such a versatile variety?

Its natural balance and gastronomic versatility. It has enough freshness to accompany lighter dishes, but also the complexity and structure needed to pair with more substantial preparations. It possesses an elegance, freshness, and adaptability at the table that few red varieties can offer.

In addition, it has an extraordinary ability to reflect different places of origin, allowing people to discover a wide range of expressions from the same grape variety. This is what gives every Pinot Noir its own unique personality.