Vinodata

The Garcés Silva family has long been involved in agriculture, livestock and wine-growing, as well as the beverage, financial, and real-estate industries. The winery that bears the family name was founded by José Antonio Garcés Silva, a business man who acquired the property in the Leyda Valley – San Antonio area, thus becoming one of the pioneers in the area’s viticultural development. Leyda is located at 33° 40′ 55,8″ latitude south and 71° 30′ 43,5″ longitude west, in a valley that lies between the Coastal Mountain Range and the Pacific Ocean and runs parallel to Chile’s Central Valley. Its gentle coastal hills are characterized by poor soils and very dry climate.

Climate

The Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chile is very cold due to the influence of the Humboldt Current, which is also responsible for the cold breezes that blow during the day and keep the temperatures below 24ºC during the summer months. The seasons are well defined, and the daily temperature oscillation is low. All of these variables encourage the polyphenols in the grapes to ripen slowly while the acidity levels remain high, and therefore resulting in wines that are fresh and elegant. The climate is characterized by its well-defined seasons and a low day-night temperatures differential due to the maritime influence. Amayna stems from grounds that are quite heterogeneous due to a dry coastal climate.

Soils

The Coastal Mountain Range consists primarily of granitic rock in different stages of decomposition. The soil also contains clay with varying percentages of particle colors and fertility, which may reach 55% in a single profile. Other morphological units in our vineyards are composed of calcium carbonate and alluvial deposits.These components in the soil impart minerality, soft and elegant tannins, structure, and complexity to our wines. Here we can find two soil types: Granitic soil which it can be found along hills and slopes and makes up 20% of the total surface. This soil is made up of red clay bearing high ferric oxide content. Vastly fractured granitic quartz rock appears at a depth of 50 cm, and alluvial soil it is found along the hillsides. This soil is rich in clay, with a great deal of gravel and round stones, meanwhile is organically poor soils. The Garcés Silva winery produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. While the essence of Leyda is a cool weather with strong influences of the ocean, the vinification techniques are those characteristic of the old world.

Estate winery

Viña Garcés Silva is an estate winery, in other words, produces wines only from grapes coming from its own vineyards. The area planted with vines for wine production is 40 hectares (37 acres) that were planted since 1999 onwards. Chardonnay was planted in 1999 and 2004 with the clone: 95 y 76, the vines spacing is of 2.5 x 1 m., and the surface planted is of 4.5 hectares. Sauvignon Blanc was planted in: 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006 with the clones: 242 y Davis, and the vines spacing is of 2.5 x 1 m., 2.0 x 1.2 m.y 2.0 x 1.3 m., and the surface planted is of 12 hectares. Pinot Noir was planted in: 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2007 with mass selection & clones 16, 23, 115 and 777 with a vine spacing of 2.5 x 1 m. & 2.0 x 1 m., and with a total surface planted of 8.3 hectares. Syrah was planted in 2003 and 2008 with clones 300, 174 & 470. The vine spacing for Syrah is of 2.0 x 1.0 m., 2.0 x 0.85 m. and 1.0 x 1.0 m., with a surface planted of 12.3 hectares. Other wine varieties are Gewürztraminer with 2 hectares (4.9 acres) and 0.3 hectares (.75 acres) of assorted grape varieties.

Vineyards

All vineyards are family owned and under the Leyda Denomination of Origin. Planting began in 1999 and today arrived to a total of 175 hectares designated to the following ends:
27 hectares of vineyards are exclusively dedicated to Amayna wines.
22 hectares of vineyards are exclusively dedicated to Boya wines.
126 hectares are planted for grape production for sale.

Sustainability

Caring for the environment and people is a requirement that Viña Garcés Silva have incorporated within the viticulture process of producing the highest quality wine grapes. Sustainable vineyard management improves the quality of wines, allows the winemaking team to discover and enhance the characteristics of the terroir, and be proactive in protecting the health of company’s employees and care of the environment.

Viña Garcés Silva has conducted studies of their land to protect its natural flora and fauna. The winery has adapted to the terrain and intervened in the ecosystem as little as possible. Through proper vineyard management and by observing and taking advantage of the valley’s positive characteristics, we have achieved a more organic style of management and production avoiding the use of chemicals.