The Itata Valley in southern Chile has emerged in recent years as the source of some of Chile’s most interesting wines - as it is south of Chile’s main winegrowing area in the Central Valley, Itata’s climate tends to be cooler and varietals such as carignan, país, and cinsault have quietly thrived here for centuries. Gustavo Riffo farms his family’s vineyards in the area of Portezuelo, making pipeño in a traditional way: organic methods with roughly 200 year old vines and minimal interventions in the winemaking process. This delicious, party-friendly liter is lightly herbal and refreshingly fruity, a well-balanced, light, dry red with cherry and smooth tannins.