Colchagua Valley is the larger and southernmost of the Rapel Valley’s two sub-appellations. In little more than ten years, the valley transformed itself from a sleepy, fertile farming area to a leading producer of some of Chile’s finest red wines, and many long-time grape growers have established their own wineries and now offer wines under their own labels. Particularly worth watching are the expressive, full-bodied Cabernet, Carménère, Syrah, and Malbec. Many of the high-yielding varietal vineyards that once covered the fertile valley floor have been replaced by meticulously-selected clonal varieties, vertically-positioned, and carefully-managed to control vigor. Vineyards now climb increasingly higher up the steep hillsides in search of the best possible balance between vine and the elements. Some notable examples of this are Apalta and Ninquén, which produce premium and super-premium wines that are by now well-recognized in the specialized press. Colchagua lies closer to the low and rolling Coastal Range than to the higher Andes and benefits from the cooling breezes that blow in directly from the sea, effectively extending the growing season for a long, slow ripening period. In fact, temperatures vary widely on any given summer day, which further contributes to the expressive, fruity, well-balanced character of the wines crafted here. The heart of the valley’s wine-growing area consists of San Fernando, Nancagua, Santa Cruz, Palmilla, and Peralillo, but enterprising efforts are pushing toward the sea and into the Marchihüe and Lolol areas. Other innovations include a growing shift toward organic and even biodynamic vitiviniculture.