Huge winery in Las Condes 40 kilometers from the pacific coast in Chile. The Echeñique family, who immigrated from the Basque Country, planted the first vines in the Colchagua Valley around 1750. Subsequently, the property expanded, but the ascent was abruptly stopped by expropriation during the Allende period in 1970. In the mid 1970s, the Eyzaguirre-Echenique family bought back the expropriated land. New areas were planted and equipped with underground artificial irrigation. In 1981, as a tribute to the roots, it was renamed what is now known as "Los Vascos" (The Basques). The property covered 2,200 hectares, but only a small part of it was planted with vines. In 1988 the estate was acquired by the "Domaines Barons de Rothschild" (the Château Lafite-Rothschild also belongs to the company of the French branch of the Rothschild). Under the management of Gilbert Rokvam, the technical director of Lafite-Rothschild, substantial investments were made. Claudio Naranjo is the responsible cellar master.
The existing vineyards were restructured, new areas were planted, irrigation was secured by drilling and a weather station was installed. Furthermore, a large guest house in traditional Chilean style was built. The total property comprises 3,400 hectares, of which 580 hectares are planted with vines. This is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as smaller areas with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Among the premium wines are the red wines "Le Dix de Los Vascos" (12 to 14 months in new barriques) and "Los Vascos Grande Réserve" (12 months in 50% new barriques), each produced 100% from Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as the white wines "Los Vascos Chardonnay" and "Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc". Around 3.5 million bottles of wine are produced annually, the majority of which are exported to the United States and many European countries.
