Longavi 'GLUP!' Cinsault, Itata Valley, Chile 2022

Glup is a collaboration between two friends from different continents who teamed up during 2012 - Chilean producer Julio Bouchon and South African winemaker David Nieuwoudt. Longaví wants to reflect the deep diversity of Chilean wines, with freshness and personality. Each Longaví wine combines grapes and terroir that express the individuality of each vineyard, and is made with varieties that express the full power of the valley. In the winery, there is no standard recipe, but a desire to respect the origin of the grapes with techniques that honor that origin.

• Winemaker: David Nieuwoudt
  
• Farming: Sustainable, Natural
  
• Varieties: 100% Cinsault
  
• Terroir: Granite base with small percentage of Clay.
  
• Vinification: Early morning hand harvested at 22°C Fermentation with native yeasts with aerated pump-overs during fermentation with 30% whole cluster.
  
• Aging: 6 months in Foudre of 2.500 lt without toast. Without stabilization, finning and no filtration.
  
• Tasting Note: Light red, with red fruit notes and wild herbs. Soft tannins with bright acidity that bring freshness and a long finish.

From our 2024 Explore Like A Somm Bottle Cult notes:

Longavi GLUP! Cinsault, Itata Valley, Chile 2022
Longaví is a collaborative project between two renowned winemakers: Julio Bouchon from Chile and David Nieuwoudt from South Africa. The name Longaví means "snake's head" in the indigenous Mapuche language and symbolizes the long and winding journey the partners have embarked on together. The winery focuses on producing unique, high-quality wines that reflect the distinct terroir of Chile's diverse wine regions. Longaví created a line of wines called GLUP! which highlights a single farmer’s single terroir, all from free-standing, dry-farmed old vines and produced with low-intervention techniques and organic agriculture.
The 2022 GLUP! Cinsault is sourced from old vines in the Itata Valley, one of Chile’s oldest wine regions, with vineyards dating back to the 16th century. Many of the vines are over 60 years old, and some even exceed 100 years and are planted on their original rootstock. Located in southern Chile, Itata has a cool climate influenced by the cold Humboldt Current in the Pacific Ocean and ancient, granitic soils, making it ideal for cultivating Cinsault. This grape variety, originally from the south of France, has adapted beautifully to the Itata Valley’s terroir, producing wines with fresh, plush fruit flavors and a distinct minerality.
The winemaking process for GLUP! emphasizes minimal intervention to allow the true expression of cool-climate Cinsault. The grapes are hand-harvested from a selected vineyard parcel in Pinihue, from bush vines that are over 60 years old. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit. The wine is then aged for a short period in neutral oak barrels, which adds subtle complexity without overpowering the vibrant fruit character. The wine is bright and fresh with a light ruby color and intense aromas of raspberries and strawberries, along with light floral notes and a hint of peppery spice. The palate is juicy and refreshing with crunchy acidity that leads to a clean, fruity finish. This wine is designed to be enjoyed young and lightly chilled—it’s perfect for summer sipping!
Enjoy GLUP! on its own or with tasty picnic fare, especially empanadas or pastel de choclo (Chilean corn pudding). If you’re heading to Dolores Park, drink this bottle with some tamales and grilled sausages from a street cart in The Mission! —Cara Patricia, August 2024