GOLD MEDAL WINE CLUB Taste the Adventure! A RELATIVELY NEW PLAYER IN THE WORLD WINE MARKET, CHILE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF VITICULTURE DATING BACK TO THE 16TH CENTURY. In the past half- decade, the wineries of Chile’s new wave movement have made significant strides in establishing their nation as one of the world’s premier wine producing countries. Given the fact that Chile’s wine history can be traced back to the Sixteenth Century, this news is probably no real surprise. Scores of new wineries along with a similar number of upgraded existing winery facilities have made Chilean wines a competitor in even the most stringent international wine competitions. The scenario is not unlike that of California’s Central Coast wine growing and producing region, suddenly on par with the existing wine behemoths of Napa Valley and Sonoma County. It seems hard to believe that Chile, now released from a constricting political climate that handicapped its wine industry for decades, can count its wines among the world’s finest. Plantings in Chile are also up impressively, with additional acreage rapidly under vine and attention being paid to developing and expanding new wine growing areas on a daily basis. The total acreage under vine has almost doubled since the mid 1990’s, and seems ready to accommodate additional vineyards. This expansion has been pushed along by advantageous weather conditions throughout the entire country. In fact, the Chilean wine industry seems poised for further expansion and even greater achievements. What’s interesting about the whole development is the large amounts of capital that has poured into winery construction and expansion. While some of the money had come from outside sources (it has been considered a smart move for wineries in the United States, Europe and elsewhere to invest in Chile), the greater part of all investments have come from Chilean nationals who seem to know a good thing when they see it. Companies in all forms of non-agricultural businesses now have a stake in a Chilean winery, be it large or small. Many have seen early payouts and a small number have enjoyed early financial success. Chilean wines have always been considered great wines for the price and this continues to be true today. With more consumers aware •

Region Spotlight: Rosario Valley The biodynamic vineyards that comprise the Matetic Vineyards winery holdings are located in the Rosario Valley, a sub valley of the larger San Antonio Valley that lies approximately seventy miles west of the capital of Santiago. Rosario Valley is a large, completely enclosed valley of approximately 22,000-plus acres, which lies perpendicular to the nearby Atlantic Ocean. This favorable location provides incredible Mediterranean-type climactic influence that results in temperature variations of of price/value relationships of wines, the more than 50 degrees and is ideal for fact that Chilean wines represent excellent the maturation of grapes. This natural value has also helped the Chilean cause. maritime influence produces cold nights Many stores and restaurants now offer and allows for the vines to regenerate Chilean sections within their stores or themselves. The temperature rises on their wine lists. The fact that many of during the early morning until midday these wines are now identified by their when a soft sea breeze maintains a respective regions within Chile speaks temperature of around 79 degrees, near legions to the fact that these wines are perfect for growing superior grapes. highly sought after. A few restaurants Two distinct types of soils are found in even list an ultra-premium Chilean the valley, a clay/granite layer on the selection for the most highly regarded hillsides, and another soil, granite and wines, an honor formerly reserved for clay mix that is more fertile, but low in only France and California. nutrients. Both soil types are excellent for producing low yield fruit. The world stage that is the international wine business has added a new member to compete for its prestigious audience. Chile was a longshot to accomplish this honor and WINE credit should be given to the growers and vintners that have made it possible.

With entrepreneurial insight such Chile’s unique combination of geography and climate make as that expressed by this International it ideal for winegrowing. From the Atacama Desert to the Series selection Matetic, the momentum north (the driest on Earth!), for further honors should be easy to the Mountains in to continue. the east, to the Patagonian ice fields to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Chile is a veritable agricultural island where the geographic barriers help maintain healthy conditions and protect vines against pests and disease. With such diverse geography, the climate has terrific variation bringing warm, dry summers and cold, rainy winters that vines thrive on. While the more established wine regions lie in the center of the country, growers continue to experiment with new landscapes, pushing further north and south. More than 600 miles separate the developing regions of Elqui Valley in the north and Malleco Valley in the south! Chile: Fun Facts! Chile derives its name from the indigenous word chili, which means "where the land ends." Chile is the longest country in the world at 2,647 miles long, and also extending across 38 degrees of latitude. The Andes Mountain Range extends the entire length of the country from north to south. Photos, top to bottom, left to right: Over one third of the world's copper • This month's featured winery, Vina Matetic, is situated in the newer sub region, Rosario Valley, production is produced in Chile. set within the popular San Antonio Valley appellation. • A vineyard worker tends to the Vina Matetic vines and hand-harvests the best fruit destined Along the mountainous region of Chile, for production. there are over 1,300 volcanoes and a • Matetic's portable chicken coop is moved throughout the vineyards, allowing the chickens to number of them can still be active. range freely among the vines, scratching the soil while fertilizing it at the same time with their manure. This is just one of the biodynamic farming methods this winery uses. Chile received its independence from • Matetic produced the first cool-climate Syrah in Chile, and with their success, other wineries Spanish colonial rule in 1913. began producing their own cool-climate Syrahs. Now, many consider Syrah to be the signature grape of the San Antonio Valley. The city at the very tip of Chile, called Punta Arenas, is the southernmost city on a continent in the world. 80% of South America's glaciers lie in Chile. THE OF CHILE The largest glaciers of Chile are the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields. The of Chile was The Spanish conquistadors were the first adopted on October 18, to bring vines to Chile in the 16th century. 1817, making it one of the The wine industry blossomed with Chile's oldest in the world. independence and there are now 120+ It consists of two unequal wineries in Chile. horizontal bands of white and red with a blue square the Chilean wines are often defined by proximity same height as the white band to the Pacific Ocean coast and the Andes in the , which bears a white five-pointed Mountains - the three zones designated in the center. The star stresses the fact that Chile by the government are the Costa, Entre is a Unitarian republic, and not a federal republic. Cordillera, and Andes. The blue symbolizes the sky and the Pacific Ocean, the Chile is the 5th largest exporter of wine and white represents the snow-covered Andes Mountains, the world's 8th largest producer of wine. and the red stands for the blood spilled to achieve independence. The Chilean flag is also known in Spanish as “La Estrella Solitara” - The Lone Star. Chile’s Flag Day is celebrated on July 9th to commemorate the 77 soldiers who died in the 1882 Battle of La Concepcion.

Order Toll Free: 1-800-266-8888 • Order by Fax: 1-800-266-8889 Order online at: www.goldmedalwineclub.com Family-owned and operated, Vina Matetic is a pioneer in biodynamic and organic growing methods in chile's rosario valley.

“We chose this path because we love nature and the outdoors,” Matetic was recently quoted as explaining. “This system involves harnessing the forces of nature to act with positive energy. For example, if a bug is bad for crops, find another bug to eat it. When you treat the plants that are naturally good, this is evidenced in the vineyard, because when our neighbors are affected by frost we are not. Moreover, this form of production can get better prices.” Jorge Matetic has built a marvelous, modern wine facility that overlooks the slopes of the Rosario Valley near the Pacific Ocean. Its modernistic design and architectural stances fits in well with its selective type of farming and winemaking. Vina Matetic Winery: The 'Corralillo' on the label represents the name of the Rosario Valley Region still-standing century-old wine cellar and winery in Rosario Valley The Viña Matetic Winery is just barely a decade old (it was where wine of the old Mission grape was once made. started in 1999) and came into existence when the Matetic Family The three varietals featured with this International Series decided to diversify its businesses and invest in a winery operation. selection are all estate grown in the San Antonio Valley appellation. All Jorge Matetic (Don Jorge in Chile) had interests in sheep, cattle, the Corralillo Pinot Noir is hillside fruit from Matetic's oldest organic farming and tourist development before entering the wine business. vineyards. The vines are extremely low production and the tannins When he and his family finally made their decision, they forged produced allow for near perfect maturation, so necessary for a truly fine forward in a most remarkable manner. The Matetics decided to make Pinot Noir. The Corralillo Winemaker's Blend combines four red varietals their new winery a biodynamic entity, a fact that bears explanation. - Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot - each grown in the One of a small handful of biodynamic wineries, Viña San Antonio Valley region that benefits from its Mediterranean climate. Matetic must follow rigid guidelines before its fruit can be certified Finally, the Corralillo Chardonnay is produced from vineyards biodynamic. Simply put, biodynamic farming (relative to grape located in the Rosario Valley, a new sub region of the larger San growing) insures that the principles and practices of biodynamics Antonio Valley appellation. The soils here consist of granite in various are based on a spiritual/practical philosophy, called anthroposophy, stages of decomposition, some characterized by a higher proportion which includes understanding the ecological, the energetic, and the of quartz and others in volcanic decomposed materials. The different spiritual in nature. topographies were both essential and ideal for the optimal growth of As a practical method of farming, biodynamics embodies the vines, resulting in high quality fruit and excellent varietal expression. the ideal of ever-increasing ecological self-sufficiency just as If ever there was a completely thought out winery and with modern agro-ecology, but also includes ethical-spiritual vineyards, Viña Matetic is most certainly the operation that comes considerations. This type of viticulture views the farm as a to mind. Helped most assuredly by the entire new wave Chilean cohesive, interconnected living system. Involved are the cycles wine movement, Viña Matetic will continue to gain in statue and of the moon, exact temperature and humidity control and a prestige in the following years. It is our pleasure to have introduced number of manure enhancing practices that makes biodynamic this marvelous winery for your enjoyment. farming a good deal more expensive than regular farming. When making his decision to go biodynamic, Jorge The Winemaker: Matetic noted that a number of the greatest vineyards and Julio Bastias wineries had already converted to biodynamic farming. The likes An agronomy engineer from the of famed Napa winery Grgich Hills has taken the step along side Universidad de Talca, Julio Bastias began such notables as Burgundy’s Comtes Lafon, Leflaive and perhaps his professtional career at the Universidad in the most revered wine producer on the planet, Domaine de la enological research. He has been an assistant Romanée Conti. In Alsace, there is Domaine Weinbach, Deiss and winemaker at Vina Viu Manent, Vinedos Zind-Humbrecht. In the Rhône, it is Chapoutier. In the Loire Valley, Organicos Santa Emiliana and Vinedos del there is Coulée de la Serrant, whose owner, Nicolas Joly, could be Maule. Julio also spent time in California's considered the John the Baptist of the movement. Around the Napa Valley working as an assistant to Ken globe, there is tremendous credence to the biodynamic movement. Bernards and producing wine for Ancien For Viña Matetic, all ninety acres of their vineyards Wines, Witford Cellars, and Donum Estate. are biodynamic. With a total production of fewer than 3,500 Julio believes in a biodynamic farming cases, Viña Matetic is tiny by world standards. Nevertheless, practice, one that includes both organic its wines have won major awards on the international wine farming elements as well as the philosophy that connects winemaking scene and should continue to do so for many years to come. with nature and the cosmos.

The International Series features specially-selected, imported hard-to-find wines of the world for members of the Gold Medal Wine Club.

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Matetic 2012 Corralillo Pinot Noir San Antonio Valley Region The Matetic 2012 Corralillo Pinot Noir was produced from Chile's San Antonio Valley region, from the winery's oldest organic vineyards. A touch of the grapes also came from the Valle Hermosa vineyards which are located five miles from the sea, where the maritime influence provides fresh aromas and acidity. This 90 POINTS Pinot Noir has an intense, deep red color with violet hints and aromas of red - Wine Enthusiast cherries, blueberries, and spices - all of which are very characteristic of this varietal. On the palate, the tannins are soft and elegant while the vibrant acidity 90 POINTS gives this wine a juicy, long, persistent finish. Certified Organic Grapes. Aged +BEST BUY 11 months in French Oak. Enjoy now until 2020. - Wine & Spirits

Membership Retail Price Number of Bottles Ordered: Save Level at Winery 2+ 6+ 12+ 11%-26% 2/3-Btl. Members: $25.00 $23.33 $22.50 online! $28.00 4+Btl. Members: $25.00 $22.50 $21.25

Matetic 2012 Corralillo Winemaker's Blend San Antonio Valley Region The Matetic 2012 Corralillo Winemaker's Blend brings together four varieties from the winery's top vineyards in the San Antonio Valley. Bright red in color with violet hues, the Winemaker's Blend offers aromas of deep red fruits along with cocoa and spices. It has a fairly full-bodied palate with nice complexity, balance, and round 93 POINTS smooth tannins. Each of the four grape varieties in the blend contributed different - James Suckling taste characteristics to the final wine - the Syrah 48.5%) delivers spiciness as well as violets and damp earth; the Malbec (25%)adds floral and berry notes; the Cabernet 92 POINTS Franc (25%) gives the wine structure and tannins; and the Petite Verdot (1.5%) adds - Wine & Spirits the final punch of structure. Aged 16 months in oak. Enjoy now until 2022. 90 POINTS - Wine Enthusiast Membership Retail Price Number of Bottles Ordered: Save Level at Winery 2+ 6+ 12+ 10%-24% 2/3-Btl. Members: $27.00 $25.33 $24.50 online! $30.00 4+Btl. Members: $27.00 $24.50 $23.25

Matetic 2013 Corralillo Chardonnay Rosario Valley Region The fruit for the Matetic's 2013 Corralillo Chardonnay come from vineyards located in Chile's Rosario Valley. This area is characterized by its marine- influenced climate, which allows the grapes to slowly ripen and develop complex flavors while also maintaining a pleasing natural acidity. Pale yellow in color, this 2013 Chardonnay has fresh, tropical, citrus, and floral aromas with hints 89 POINTS of minerality. The palate is firm and fresh with mouth-watering acidity and - Vinous delicate, well-balanced fruit flavors. The fermentation in French Oak barrels and short time of barrel aging lend to roundness, balance, and rich mouthfeel. 100% Chardonnay. Enjoy now until 2018.

Membership Retail Price Number of Bottles Ordered: Save Level at Winery 2+ 6+ 12+ 10%-31% 2/3-Btl. Members: $18.00 $16.33 $15.50 online! $20.00 4+Btl. Members: $18.00 $15.50 $14.25

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