Alice L’Estrange, Wild Sergio (2022)
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Itata, Chile— 100% País from the Los Chorillos vineyard, farmed by Sergio Parra. A juicy, low-intervention wine stylistically meant to reflect the no-till farming used in the vineyard. Underripe, crunchy red fruits— cranberry, raspberry balanced with earthy, herbaceous undertones. A wild, refreshing red. Drink chilled. Low S02.
Alice L’Estrange is originally from Australia but has been living and working in South and Central America for many years, first in direct-trade coffee, then in natural wine importing. In the process, she fell in love with small scale agriculture, and wanted to pursue “the kind of international trade that has positive socio-enviro impact.” For a time, she made natural wines in South Australia with her good friend and business partner Lucy Kendall, but eventually decided she needed a change, and escaped to Chile to make wine “in a place where social and environmental concerns take front and center.” Market forces that depress the cost of local grapes are the main reason for the use of chemical fertilizers and the abandonment of old vineyards in the area. Now, she works with three local farmers, who she has helped to convert their vineyards to chemical-free, regenerative farming practices. These methods are meant to restore the soils that have been damaged by chemical pesticides, but also to protect against wildfires and improve yields and quality.