Viñedo Chadwick

Viñedo Chadwick traces its origins to the private residential polo field of Alfonso Chadwick Errázuriz (1929 to 1996), located on the northern bank of the Maipo River in Puente Alto adjacent to the Concha y Toro Puente Alto properties. Alfonso Chadwick was an eight-time Chilean polo champion, the family patriarch of the Chadwick-Errázuriz line (his mother was an Errázuriz family member, and he reacquired Viña Errázuriz in the 1970s, beginning the modern revival of that historic Aconcagua estate). Planting of the vineyard began in 1992 and continued through 2015, gradually converting the former sporting grounds into one of Chile's most prized single parcels. Eduardo Chadwick, Alfonso's son and the current managing head of the broader Chadwick family wine operations, conceived the Viñedo Chadwick project as a personal tribute to his father. The first vintage was produced in 1999, with Alfonso having passed in 1996 before the project reached commercial release. The vineyard's transformation from polo field to fine-wine source mirrors the broader Chadwick family narrative of reasserting Errázuriz heritage at the international premium tier.

• Vineyard sits on former residential polo field of Alfonso Chadwick Errázuriz (1929-1996), eight-time Chilean polo champion and Chadwick-Errázuriz patriarch
• Alfonso Chadwick reacquired Viña Errázuriz in the 1970s through the Errázuriz family branch (his mother was an Errázuriz), beginning the modern revival of the historic 1870-founded Aconcagua estate
• Planting 1992-2015 gradually converted sporting grounds into one of Chile's most prized single parcels; project conceived by son Eduardo Chadwick as personal tribute
• First vintage 1999; Alfonso had passed in 1996 before project reached commercial release; vineyard transformation mirrors broader Chadwick family narrative of reasserting Errázuriz heritage

Viñedo Chadwick covers 15 hectares at approximately 650 metres elevation within the Puente Alto sub-zone of Maipo Alto, situated on the third alluvial terrace of the Maipo River's northern bank. The site's position adjacent to the Don Melchor and Almaviva vineyards places Viñedo Chadwick at the centre of Chile's most internationally celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon contrada. Soils show a distinctive profile: a gravel surface layer sits above a 40-centimetre clay-loam stratum, which in turn rests on an alluvial base with approximately 70 percent stone content from rounded Maipo River pebbles and small boulders deposited over millennia. The soil profile is characterised by high concentrations of calcium carbonate throughout, contributing to the wine's distinctive mineral lift and structural elegance. The semi-arid Mediterranean climate delivers approximately 328 millimetres of annual rainfall concentrated in the May to September winter, with the growing season essentially dry. Cool morning mountain breezes descending from the Andes through the Cajón del Maipo moderate warm daytime temperatures during ripening; January mean temperature is 21 degrees Celsius. The diurnal range during ripening preserves natural acidity and aromatic precursors while allowing full phenolic maturation of Cabernet Sauvignon.

• 15 hectares at ~650 m elevation in Puente Alto on third alluvial terrace of Maipo River's northern bank; adjacent to Don Melchor and Almaviva vineyards in Chile's most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon contrada
• Soils: gravel topsoil above 40-cm clay-loam stratum on alluvial base of ~70% stone content; high calcium carbonate concentrations throughout profile contributing to mineral lift and structural elegance
• Semi-arid Mediterranean climate with ~328 mm annual rainfall concentrated May-September; growing season essentially dry; January mean temperature 21°C
• Cool morning mountain breezes descending from Andes through Cajón del Maipo moderate warm daytime temperatures during ripening; diurnal range preserves acidity and aromatic precursors

Viñedo Chadwick is an ultra-premium wine produced exclusively from the 15-hectare Puente Alto estate, almost always Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant or 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon depending on the vintage's character. Petit Verdot is included in select vintages where its floral lift and additional structural depth complement the Cabernet Sauvignon core. The style prioritises finesse, terroir transparency, and aromatic precision over power, delivering an elegant, Bordeaux-comparable expression that distinguishes Viñedo Chadwick from the more polished and broadly accessible Don Melchor or the Mouton-Rothschild-influenced Almaviva. The Cabernet Sauvignon expression from the Chadwick polo-field site shows concentrated blackcurrant and dark cherry fruit, layered with cedar, graphite, and subtle floral notes from Petit Verdot in applicable vintages. Fine-grained tannins, precise acidity from the Andean cool air diurnal regime, and a long mineral-edged finish reflect the estate's gravel and calcium carbonate soils. Production is small relative to demand, reinforcing the wine's status among the world's most sought-after single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-led releases. Aging potential extends 20 or more years with proper cellaring.

• Almost always Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant or 100% Cabernet Sauvignon depending on vintage; Petit Verdot included in select vintages for floral lift and additional structural depth
• Style prioritises finesse, terroir transparency, aromatic precision over power; distinguishable from more polished Don Melchor and Mouton-Rothschild-influenced Almaviva
• Aromatic core: concentrated blackcurrant and dark cherry, layered with cedar, graphite, subtle floral notes from Petit Verdot when included; fine-grained tannins and precise acidity
• Production small relative to demand; aging potential 20+ years with proper cellaring; long mineral-edged finish reflects gravel and calcium carbonate soils

The Berlin Tasting of January 2004 placed Viñedo Chadwick in direct comparative tasting with First Growth Bordeaux and Tuscan Super Tuscans, and the wine emerged in first place above the entire field. Eduardo Chadwick organised the event at the Ritz-Carlton Berlin as a blind comparative tasting of Chilean, Bordeaux, and Tuscan icons judged by 36 European wine critics including Tim Atkin, Steven Spurrier (the Judgment of Paris architect who organised the 1976 Napa-versus-Bordeaux tasting that established Napa Valley's premium identity), Sarah Kemp, and other prominent voices. The blind tasting placed Viñedo Chadwick 2000 in first place and Errázuriz Seña 2001 in second place, both above Château Lafite Rothschild 2000, Château Margaux 2001, Château Latour 2000, and Solaia 2000. The result was the first time a Chilean wine had demonstrated clear parity (and at the top of the field, superiority) with the world's finest Bordeaux-style blends in a comparative blind format, shifting global perceptions of Chilean fine wine overnight. The 2004 Berlin Tasting was subsequently repeated through 2014 in over 17 countries reaching more than 1,400 wine professionals, with Chilean wines placing in the top three in 20 of 22 events.

• Berlin Tasting January 2004 (Ritz-Carlton Berlin, organised by Eduardo Chadwick): blind comparative tasting judged by 36 European critics including Tim Atkin, Steven Spurrier, Sarah Kemp
• Viñedo Chadwick 2000 placed first, Errázuriz Seña 2001 placed second; both above Château Lafite Rothschild 2000, Château Margaux 2001, Château Latour 2000, Solaia 2000
• International turning point for Chilean fine wine; first time a Chilean wine demonstrated clear parity (and superiority) with world's finest Bordeaux-style blends in blind comparative format
• Berlin Tasting World Tours through 2014 in 17+ countries reaching 1,400+ wine professionals; Chilean wines placed in top three in 20 of 22 events

Recognition has continued to accumulate across the modern era. The 2014 vintage of Viñedo Chadwick became the first Chilean wine ever awarded 100 points by critic James Suckling, a watershed moment paralleling the Berlin Tasting's role in repositioning Chilean fine wine internationally. The 2021 vintage received 100 points from Luis Gutiérrez of The Wine Advocate, extending the wine's perfect-score history into the most authoritative Bordeaux-focused review publication. Multiple additional Top 10 critical placements across the modern era including 99-point scores from Tim Atkin, James Suckling, and other prominent voices have cemented Viñedo Chadwick's standing among the world's most highly regarded single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-led wines. The wine sits at the apex of the broader Chadwick family premium portfolio alongside Seña (1995 founding with Robert Mondavi, wholly Chadwick-owned from 2005) and Errázuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve (Errázuriz flagship from Panquehue in Aconcagua), with the three wines together having been the subjects of the Berlin Tasting in 2004 and its global sequel events. Sustained critical presence across two decades has positioned Viñedo Chadwick among the New World's most authoritatively recognised single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-led releases.

• 2014 vintage: first Chilean wine ever awarded 100 points by James Suckling; watershed moment paralleling Berlin Tasting in repositioning Chilean fine wine internationally
• 2021 vintage: 100 points from Luis Gutiérrez of The Wine Advocate; extends perfect-score history into authoritative Bordeaux-focused review publication
• Multiple additional Top 10 critical placements with 99-point scores from Tim Atkin and James Suckling across the modern era
• Apex of broader Chadwick family premium portfolio alongside Seña (1995, wholly Chadwick-owned from 2005) and Errázuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve (Aconcagua flagship from Panquehue, since 1983)

Viñedo Chadwick is technically a separate Chadwick family operation, distinct from Viña Errázuriz, owned and managed by Eduardo Chadwick alongside the broader family wine portfolio. Eduardo serves as the current managing head of the operations, with his five generations of Errázuriz-Chadwick family stewardship spanning the original 1870 founding by Don Maximiano Errázuriz Valdivieso through to the modern premium era. The broader Chadwick family wine portfolio comprises three premium estates with distinct identities. Viña Errázuriz (founded 1870 at Panquehue in Aconcagua Valley) operates the historic Aconcagua estate and produces the Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve flagship (since 1983), Kai (Carménère), Las Pizarras (Aconcagua Costa metamorphic schist Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), La Cumbre (cool-climate Syrah), and the Aconcagua Costa coastal range. Seña (founded 1995 with Robert Mondavi, wholly Chadwick-owned from 2005) operates a 42-hectare biodynamic estate in Ocoa, Aconcagua, producing a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend; the 2021 vintage received 100 points from James Suckling. Viñedo Chadwick rounds the trio at the single-vineyard Maipo Alto premium tier. Together the three wines were subjects of the 2004 Berlin Tasting and its global sequel events.

• Viñedo Chadwick technically separate Chadwick family operation, distinct from Viña Errázuriz, owned and managed by Eduardo Chadwick alongside broader family wine portfolio
• Five generations of Errázuriz-Chadwick family stewardship spanning 1870 founding by Don Maximiano Errázuriz Valdivieso to modern premium era
• Viña Errázuriz (founded 1870, Panquehue, Aconcagua) anchors broader portfolio with Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve flagship and Las Pizarras single-vineyard Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
• Seña (founded 1995 with Robert Mondavi, wholly Chadwick-owned from 2005, 42-ha biodynamic Ocoa estate) anchors the joint-venture-origin flagship tier; three wines together subjects of 2004 Berlin Tasting