WINEMAKING
The centuries-old vines without irrigation, carefully planted on hills with granite and low fertility soils, are cultivated using the ancestral method of free-vessel conduction. Our commitment to preserving the natural environment is reflected in our agricultural practices, which prioritize balance in the ecosystem.
The harvest is carried out manually and early, with the aim of preserving the freshness of the fruit. In the production of our wines, we try to respect the unique characteristics of the place and the grape variety, adopting an austere and minimal intervention approach.
To achieve this, we use non-invasive deposits, such as ancient Chilean clay amphorae and centuries-old clay jars imported from Castilla la Mancha. These containers allow the wines to evolve naturally, preserving the purity and authenticity of the centuries-old vines and the terroir of Itata and Maule. Fermentations are spontaneous, with short macerations, allowing the development of fresh, complex and authentic wines.
Fernando Almeda
Spanish winemaker with more than 35 years of experience and training in plant physiology. Recognized for his work at a prominent Chilean-Spanish winery, Almeda has developed a deep knowledge of the local terroir and has demonstrated skill in oenological innovation. He has participated in harvests in Spain, France, the United States and China, thus broadening his perspective and experience in the world of wine.
His achievements include the National Award for Chilean Wine Innovation and the Award for Chilean Innovative Winemaking Career, highlighting his contribution to the development of the wine industry in the country. Fernando has a particular passion for wines with personality, those that respect the characteristics of the landscape without the need to add makeup. For him, authenticity and purity are fundamental elements that distinguish a good wine and reflect the soul of the vineyard and its environment.
Elias Lopez
Restless winemaker, tireless traveler, comes from a family linked to wine since 1788. With more than 30 vintages to his credit, he has produced in different regions of Spain, South Africa, Argentina and Chile, achieving important achievements such as the "Respected by Gaggenau" 2021 award. or the Mayte Spínola 2022 medal for his outstanding work to exalt the wine of Castilla La Mancha. In 2016 he was named by Decanter magazine as one of the winemakers called to change wine in Spain. Today he directs projects in Castilla La Mancha, La Rioja and Patagonia Argentina.
At Fuerza Natural together with Fernando Almeda, he wants to transmit his passion for old vineyards and the unique expression of terroir that they transmit, especially from the Itata and Maule Valleys, providing his global vision of the world of wine, as well as his oenological experience.
ITATA-MAULE TERROIR
Natural Force is based on the Terroir concept.
Terroir is the combination of climate (micro, meso and macro), soil, topography and human intervention. All of these factors result in a unique and distinctive style of wine that cannot be precisely replicated elsewhere, creating a desired and valuable “sense of place.” At Fuerza Natural, each bottle tells a story of passion and respect for the land. We allow the terroir to speak for itself, like an ancestral force that flows from the depths of the soil to the very essence of our grapes.
Chile has wonderful corners, the variability found with each change in latitude is incredible. The proximity to the sea and the proximity to the mountain range generate unique enclaves that form particular microclimates that are part of the country's winemaking essence. At Fuerza Natural, we only look for century-old vineyards of dryland viticulture, which are those that in our opinion best represent the values we promote and the essence of each place.
At ITATA, we have chosen the Guariligüe area, due to its granite sands and proximity to the Pacific Ocean that make this enclave a special place. In Maule, the granite terrains of southern Chile are the canvas on which our history is written. Here, in these unique lands, where the Pacific wind caresses the vineyards and the sun warms each cluster, the essence of our wines is born. It is a land that has been worked by generations of winegrowers, who have passed their wisdom from father to son, preserving an ancient winemaking tradition that is part of our DNA.
In this search for excellence, we found two like-minded souls: Fernando Almeda and Elías López Montero. United by their love for the land and wine, these two master craftsmen have dedicated their lives to perfecting the art of winemaking. Their collaboration is the culmination of years of knowledge and experience, a union that elevates our wines to new heights of quality and distinction.
THE WINES
The style of Fuerza natural wines has to do with letting the terroir express itself freely, like a force that is born in the soil passes through the vineyard, touches all its organs, its grapes and reaches the bottle to unleash its full potential. The wines are made with a minimal interventionist policy, carrying out spontaneous fermentations, using century-old clay jars brought from Villarobledo, Castilla la Mancha. In this way we can extract the purity of the centuries-old dryland vineyards and the terroir of Itata and Maule.
NATURAL STRENGTH COLLECTION
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The proximity of the Pacific allows sea breezes to cool a dry area, giving freshness and elegance to the wine. It has fruity and floral aromas, with citrus and herbal notes in the mouth that come from its fermentation with the skins. It is a balanced wine, with good acidity and persistence on the palate. Made and aged in 100% clay amphorae.
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A Cinsault with fine expression and aromatic concentration in line with the variety, with notes of raspberry and white pepper. Due to its proximity to the sea, it is an energetic wine, with nerve, freshness and fine, juicy tannins. Made and aged in 100% clay amphorae. Wine with great aging potential.
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Carignan is a variety rescued from Maule, where some of the oldest vineyards in the country are located. The carignan stands out for its excellence and uniqueness. It is a wine with fruity aromas of pomegranate and maqui, of great breed, high acidity and great personality. Made and aged in 100% clay amphorae. Wine with great aging potential.
RELATIONSHIP WITH PRODUCERS
Natural Force is the strength of the vineyards and the people who maintain and care for them so that they reflect the essence of each site. That is why it is vital to have a relationship with winegrowers and cultivate those links so that our wines speak of those places and those people. Together, we carry out viticulture on the level of sustainability to ensure both the permanence of the vineyards themselves located in sensitive areas, as well as their own expression. This is why we only work with animals, since any other form of work is impossible, also limiting treatments only to essential prevention.
The 3 old dryland vineyards that give rise to Fuerza Natural wines grown on hills with deep granite soils are:
- “El Lagar” vineyard. Located in the town of Ranguelmo, in the dry coastal area of Guarilihue, Itata Valley. The proximity of the Pacific allows sea breezes to cool a dry area, maintaining the freshness and acidity of the grapes owned by Leonardo Ruiz.
- “Los Guindos” vineyard . Located in the town of Checura, in the dry coastal area of Guarilihue, Valle del Itata. The steep hills and varied orientations of the vineyard give the different characteristics to the grapes owned by Salvador Castillo.
- "Millavoro" vineyard . Located in the town of Huerta de Maule, in the inland dryland area of Sn Javier, Valle del Maule. The Huerta micro-region of granitic soils is the place that houses the isolated, extreme and remote plot of a century-old dryland vineyard owned by Fernando Almeda.