WELCOME TO
CONVENTO VIEJO
ABOUT US
Viñas Familiares de Chile, or VFC, is a joint venture between the Bouchon and Bisquertt families, who have brought together their history and viticultural traditions to produce wines of excellent quality.
The Bouchon family are originally from Bordeaux, France, and have been in the Maule Valley for 4 generations, more than 130 years, making wine. The Bisquertt family has been making wine for more than 40 years, when they planted their first vineyards in Marchihue, Colchagua Valley in the 1970s. United by decades-long friendship, both families decided together to begin this ambitious winemaking project that reflects their experience and trajectory.
SUSTAINABILITY
We are committed to minimizing and making up for the impact of our operations, establishing sustainable management for our processes, based on a balance between the economic, social, and environmental aspects.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our philosophy is to produce quality wines, that identify with the terroir where the grapes come from, with the backing of prestige brands, and made with processes that respect the environment, our employees, and the communities where we work.
VINEYARD
Our vineyards are located in the Maule Valley, specifically the sub-valley of San Javier, 300 km south of Santiago, Chile’s capital, and 60 meters m.a.s.l. The Maule Valley is one of the most traditional winemaking valleys of Chile, with excellent climate and soils for growing grapes.
VINEYARDS
We have 110 hectares planted to Cabernet Sauvignon (34%),
Carmenere (23%), Merlot (15%), Syrah (7%), and Sauvignon Blanc (5%), among others. The vines are vertically trained and drip irrigated. They were planted in 1995-2011-2018-2019. Irrigation is measured via test
pits and analysis of the growth of the vines.
CLIMATE
Precipitation is concentrated in winter, with more than 500mm accumulating annually, while summers are sunny and dry, with a large diurnal temperature range, with averages between 20–30ºC. This Mediterranean-style climate ensures the health of our grapes and allows them to reach a balanced ripeness prior to harvest.
SOILS
The vineyards are planted on alluvial soils with a large quantity of rounded rocks mixed with layers of clay, a combination that allows for the creation of wines with velvety structure on the palate with fresh aromas.
WINERY
Located in the town of San Javier, in the Maule Valley, our modern and spacious facilities allow us to work rigorously making premium wines, always maintaining strict quality protocols.
WINEMAKING
+4.5 million litres of storage capacity.
+800 French oak barrels, in 225 and 500 litre formats.
+4 million stainless steel and epoxy cement vats of various sizes.
FACILITIES
+12,000 square metres of modern and spacious facilities.
+2,000 square metres for the storage of bottled wine.
An isothermal plant where the administrative offices, laboratory and quality control area are located.
PRODUCTION
2 complete European washing-bottling and labelling lines.
+5.000 bottles per hour production capacity.
Machinery and equipment for special packaging.
WINEMAKER
Team
At VFC we know that the key to the success of any organisation lies in its people. That is why we have a team of outstanding professionals in each of the areas, committed to excellence and quality.
OENOLOGY
Nicolás Ríos
Winemaker
Bernardita González
Head of Laboratory
PRODUCTION
David Calderón
Production Manager
Analía Martínez
Production Manager
COMMERCIAL
Patricio Torres
Commercial Manager
Diego Rodriguez
Europe-Latam R.Manager
Tina Nie
China Country Manager
Verónica Contreras
Head of Winemaking Cellar
Yerko Moreno
Viticulture Consultant
María del Carmen Pérez
Quality Control Manager
Daniela Figueroa
Head of Procurement
Soledad Gonzélez
Marketing Manager
Andrés Muñoz
Asia Regional Manager Asia
THE LEGEND
In the Maule region, one of the oldest winegrowing regions in Chile, it is common to hear talk among the locals about the legend of the “Convento Viejo.”
The convent was a colonial structure from the 17th century with majestic airtight doors behind which, so it is said, old-world Franciscan monks jealously guarded a spiritual tradition. This ancient secret was a wine made from old growth vines, the grapes macerated in clay basins. The mystical concoction fortified the body and the spirit, bringing happiness and good health to all that drank it.
In order to acquire this precious mead, the residents of Maule would leave an empty jug outside their houses, hoping to find it spilling over with wine the next day. When their fervent wish was granted, they invited their neighbors and friends that same night to come share the miraculous gift and give thanks to life.
WINES
Today, more than 300 years later, VFC has salvaged the essence of the secret of the Old Convent, a legend deeply rooted in Maule and its people, to present an authentic wine which invites us to gather our friends and share this extraordinary legacy captured within each bottle.
