Our History
Picunche was founded by the end of 2003 by a group of visionary winegrowers who had always been related to the grapes growing world but who decided to get involved in to the wine vinification, distribution and export industry. Now one of the them – Sergio – remains as the sole owner of Picunche.
Marketing Approach
The main goal is towards low volume productions. Picunche is focused on supplying small and specialized targets of wine distribution which are mainly related to restaurants, hotels, catering and liquor store chains.
The aim is to share with the world the best chilean wine, adapting the final product to each client´s desired experience, leaving the minimum impact on the environment.
Meaning of Picunche
“Picunche” is a word that belongs to the Mapudungun language ( ancient language of this area ) which means ” People who live to the North “
People living north of the big Bio Bio river were called Picunches in ancient times.
The first vines that were introduced into this lands by the spanish conquers and catholic missionaries were planted in the central area and this was the Picunche land, this was the original location were the first wines were produced. The hand labour was done by the Picunche inhabitants.
This is the reason why we wanted our company and our wines to be named Picunche, to honor and commemorate the first original winegrowers.
Location
Chile is located in the west side of the south of South America, blessed with a wonderful climate, the vineyards are between the Andes and the coast mountains. Chile is isolated from the rest of the other southamerican countries by the Atacama Desert and by the Andes mountains which has permitted to these days to have a privileged phytosanitary condition with no presence of some serious plages as filoxera.
There is a big temperature difference between day and night due to the cool climate we have during the night and the warm/dry conditions we have during the day. This situation permits a high concentration of flavours and aromas in the grapes.
The vineyards are located in the Curicó Valley.
OUR PRODUCTS
We have several brands which we have developed over the years in our main markets, due to special requests of some of our customers we have created secondary brands which have helped them to have a good product portfolio, allowing them to maintain a better price structure for our wine categories.
awarded wine
Cielo Rojo is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Only one of the components of this blend ( we will not say which ) had an aging time in French barrels, we do not like very much oaked wines so we use the barrels just to wake up the fruit and to give a soft touch, we prefer to give the grapes the chance to show themselves in plenitude.
The main characteristic of Cielo Rojo is the complexity, blending it was not an easy job as we had so many different options to determine the percentages of each component, it was a hard task.
We are so happy with the result , it resulted to be a medium bodied wine which surprisingly works better at low temperatures – same as Pinot Noir – it is a gift to the palate.
We submitted Cielo Rojo to Tim Atkin for his 2025 Wine Report and this is his review.
ENTRY LEVEL
We were imaging what could we do for people who wanted to drink a very good wine but who did not want to pay a high price. Then we created this range with smooth, young, intense and flavoured wines.
VARIETAL
The main characteristic of this straight varietal category is that the yield of the vineyards we use is still lower than the ones we use to do the Entry Level showing a higher aromatic intensity in the nose and more flavour in the mouth. You will also find a heavier glass and a better cork quality in the packaging.
VARIETAL
The main characteristic of this straight varietal category is that the yield of the vineyards we use is still lower than the ones we use to do the Entry Level showing a higher aromatic intensity in the nose and more flavour in the mouth. You will also find a heavier glass and a better cork quality in the packaging.
RESERVE
Great you found it, if you wanted to drink a marvellous wine with many hours of dedication , with a specific concern in all its details , with just a touch of oak just to wake up the fruit and without hiding the grapes characteristics, here you are. Picunche Reserve.
GRAND RESERVE
Grand Reserve means that this wine is better than a Reserve one, why? Because the yield of the vineyards is lower than the one of the Reserve and also because the barrels in which it has been stored are only first use.
GRAND RESERVE
Grand Reserve means that this wine is better than a Reserve one, why? Because the yield of the vineyards is lower than the one of the Reserve and also because the barrels in which it has been stored are only first use.
PREMIUM
Are you able to imagine a deeper and more intense pleasure than drinking this marvellous wine? We are not. We have worked hard and made a big effort to create this masterpiece for you to enjoy.
The grapes that make up this blend can vary from one year to other depending of the winemaker´s opinion.
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