About the Winery
After traveling the length and breadth of Chile looking for quality grapes in various wine regions, winemaker Vicente Johnson was able to select a number of growers who truly distinguished themselves out of a clear respect for their unique terroirs. Knowing that one mile makes a huge difference in climate and soils, he put together a stable of his favorite growers in his preferred microclimates to achieve the results he wants on his wines. These small growers were all practicing sustainable viticulture for generations, but were unconnected to the international market until Vincente helped them technically and economically to properly vinify their grapes and deliver their product to a wider audience. The small lots produced by each grower are vinified separately to preserve the maximum expression and character.
Vincente and his partners are committed to supporting local farmers and their communities, training them and paying fair prices for their grapes. Having identified his preferred vineyard sites, he works only with growers that are dedicated to viticulture to ensure sure that they have complete control over their quality and an intimate knowledge of their vines. These relationships are direct, meaning there is no broker in the middle. The relationship with the growers goes beyond just buying grapes but rather endeavors to increase the overall profitability of their small family businesses while preserving their traditional, manual farming methods. As almost all of their work in the vineyards is done by hand (mano), the name Manos Andinas, or “Hands of the Andes” honors their hard work and commitment.