Moscatel

Moscatel has been growing in Itata since the 16th century, when the Spanish conquistadores arrived in Chile. Since then, this grape variety has continued to evolve and thrive in the cool Mediterranean climate of Itata. In the valley, it can get very hot in summers, but the cooling breeze coming from the Pacific, combined with generous rainfall in the winters, mean that the old bush vines with their deep roots thrive without irrigation.

Moscatel is sometimes considered an inferior grape, but not so the Moscatel grown in Itata. Because the grapes grow on very old vines, the bunches are generally small, and the grapes give deep and soulful aromas of nectar, peach, black tea, bergamot, and yuzu.  

It is in this tradition that Leo & Zjos make their wines: their winemaking philosophy is "pre-industrial", as Leo would say half-jokingly.

When the juice does not get moved aggressively in the winery, when nothing is added or removed, and when the energy of a whole harvest team literally goes into everything from destemming, to crushing, to pressing, you can be sure you taste nothing but history in your glass.