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Leo Erazo: Inspired by Itata and Chile’s wild south

The old vines and special terroir of Itata, southern Chile, have been a source of inspiration for this intrepid winemaker. The 2023 fires were a setback, but his commitment to this wine land is undiminished.

The path that leads to Leonardo Erazo’s winery is narrow and slippery. The mud is thick from rain that has not stopped for almost a week, and the pine forests on both sides barely let in the light.

I should have listened to Erazo when he told me to rent a 4×4 – instead I’m inching across the mud in a sedan. Fortunately, it manages to reach the end of the road, where the pine trees suddenly give way to a spectacular view.

I can see the slopes of the round, green peaks of the coastal mountain range, about 4km away, dropping down into the Pacific Ocean.


Tasting notes for eight of Erazo’s must-try wines below



Alternative Chile: Erazo style, eight to try from Itata


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