SOILS
In Marchigüe there are very poor and old volcanic soils. They were formed on site, without the influence of any rivers. In the native Mapuche language, “POLKURA” means yellow stone, making reference to the large amount of yellow granite spread at different depths, in the clay soils of the area. The decomposed granite, gives the wine minerality and elegance, while the clay provides body and structure.
This type of soil is present in two areas of the vineyard. It is a very poor soil with a high content of stones. It generates wines with a higher tannic content. Its red clays deliver body and texture to the wines.
Soils with higher clay content and therefore with more water retention. The wines produced in this sites, add fruitiness to the blend.
The “best” soils of the area to produce high quality wines. They are made of red clay, decomposed granite and organic matter. These soils are in very good balance.
The decomposed granite is in this case found combined with a higher content of sand and red clay is replaced with gray clay. Also here, very good quality and balanced wines can be produced.
Soil present in two sectors of the vineyard. It is the poorest soil of all high stones. In his wines are produced with an important tannic. Its red clays deliver body and texture to the wines.
EXPOSURE
While virtually all exposures exist in POLKURA, most of the blocks are facing south and west. The most interesting sites are those facing directly to the south, where the sun hits the vineyard in a completely oblique way. These areas receive fewer hours of sunlight and therefore reduced accumulation of temperature, resulting in much more elegant wines.
Orientación
On the other hand, all the rows, regardless of their slope and orientation, are planted north-north-west to south-south east, avoiding therefore direct sun shine on the grape clusters, during the warmer times of the day. This prevents sunburn and dehydration of the grapes.
GRAPE VARIETIES
The total area of the Polkura vineyard has grown to 30 hectares. Of these 30, approximately half corresponds to Syrah.
While it is true that POLKURA is synonymous with Syrah, we have planted other varieties in the vineyard that also express themselves well in the zone. The reason? To add more flavors to the blends and above all to add to the complexity of the wines. These varieties include Malbec, Grenache Noir, Mourvedre, Tempranillo and Viognier, totaling the original 12 hectares established on the Polkura hill.
In 2005, 12 new hectares were planted with the varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with the objective of selling the high-quality grapes to other Chilean wineries. Beginning in 2015 we began vinifying these grapes directly and incorporating new wines into our selection.
In 2009 as well as 2016 we planted an area of the vineyard using the dry-farming technique, meaning without artificial irrigation, totaling 5 hectares. Just over 4 hectares correspond to Syrah and the rest to Grenache Noir.
Given that in Chile phylloxera still does not, the vineyard is planted on its own rootstock (without grafting), a technique that allows the vine to express its characteristics in a more evident manner.