The origins of Viña Luis Felipe Edwards (LFE) can be traced back to 1976, when Luis Felipe Edwards Sr. acquired the Fundo San José de Puquillay estate in the esteemed Colchagua Valley in Chile. LFE remains a winery that is owned and managed by the family, with two generations actively involved in preserving the brand's reputation for quality and traditional family values.
In 1976, Luis Felipe Edwards Sr and his wife returned to Chile from Europe and were captivated by a wine estate in Colchagua Valley. The estate boasted 60 hectares of planted vineyards, a small winery, and a historic country farmhouse. This property was situated in a micro-valley of its own, in a horseshoe shape, facing northwest, and was surrounded by foothills of the Andes mountains separated from the majestic snow-capped mountains by the smaller San Fernando ridge. This estate served as the foundation for what would become one of Chile's largest wineries in the ensuing decades, with a steadfast commitment to preserving their family heritage. This region is renowned for its exceptional viticulture. In 1980, the company expanded and purchased an additional 185 hectares in the Valley and by the 1990s they had recognized the potential for Chilean wine in the export market. Luis decided to bottle his wine and sell it under his own brand and name as a seal of quality on each bottle. In 1995, he released the first bottles of Viña Luis Felipe Edwards wine, including a Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
By the 2000s, LFE emerged as a significant player in the exportation of Chilean wines. The role of General Manager has been assumed by Luis Felipe Edwards Jr, while all director positions are held by members of the family. With a focus on preserving the quality of his wines and expanding his portfolio, they ventured into new terroirs. This included the purchase of an estate in the coastal Leyda Valleys and the initiation of an unprecedented project in the surrounding mountains.
This project involved the cultivation of 134 hectares of vineyards at altitudes reaching up to 900 metres above sea level. Simultaneously, a modern bottling plant was constructed at the original estate, along with a wine cellar. Since 2010, LFE has experienced exponential growth. In the Leyda Valley there are the Canelo and Atalaya estates, both with close proximity to the Pacific coastline, both cool-climate with strong Maritime influence and have resulting wines that show great minerality and a subtle salinity. The elevation is coastal and valley floor across both areas- however, Canelo has alluvial soil, clay and gravel, with areas that have exposed granite rocks. Whereas the soils in Atalaya are loam soils of marine origin resting on sandstone and quartz. In the Colchagua Entre Cordilleras there are three vineyards; Santa Bernardita de Pupilla, Santa Juana Estate and the Puquillay Alto Estatem - all purchased early on in their journey in the 1970s- 80s. They are characterised by deep fertile soil and a Mediterranean climate - classic wines are produced in this area. In the Colchagua Mountain is the Puquillay Alto Mountain Vineyards which is among one the highest vineyards planted in Colchagua, at a height of 900 m above sea level. This intricate arrangement of blocks has been skilfully cultivated to account for the diversity of soils and sun exposure. The lower average temperatures facilitate gradual and consistent maturation of the grapes. The soils are a complex geological blend resulting from the mixture of granitic and volcanic rocks. The Colchagua Coast region is home to the La Queseria De Nilahue Estate boasting optimal conditions for the cultivation of white and cooler climate red grape varietals. Thanks to its Mediterranean climate and cool ocean breeze this facilitates controlled maturation and is situated 30 kilometres from the coast and has rich granite soils. The Maule Valley is steeped in viticultural history that dates back to Spanish colonization in the 1500s. Home to two estates Las Rosas and Mantul; both situated on the valley floor and feature diverse soil compositions including clay and clay loam.
LFE remains a family-owned company, committed to innovation and sustainability that reflect their family values and traditions. Presently, LFE is experiencing continued growth as a prominent market leader in both sales and volume. This success has been recognized through numerous accolades received in hundreds of wine competitions worldwide. LFE's vineyard holdings encompass over 2,000 hectares of prime vineyards located in the diverse valleys of Chile. These vineyards benefit from ideal microclimates found in the distinctive regions.
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