The lion of Tarapacá. It is a nickname symbolizing Arturo Alessandri Palma, considered one of the most influential presidents in Chilean political history.
He earned this nickname by winning the election for senator in Tarapacá in 1915. With his overwhelming charisma and excellent speaking skills, he gained the love of the people for a long time and is regarded as a key figure who laid the foundation for the development of Chilean democracy and the introduction of the presidential system. The nickname 'The lion of Tarapacá' symbolizes his strength and reformist leadership.
The winery 'Viña Tarapacá' is named to honor President Alessandri Palma, known as the lion of Tarapacá. However, Viña Tarapacá is located in the Maipo Valley in central Chile, not in the northern Tarapacá region.
The winery was originally established in 1874 under the name 'Viña de Rojas.' It later became the property of Antonio Zaballa in 1892 and was renamed 'Viña Zaballa.' After Zaballa's divorce, the winery passed to his ex-wife, Mercedes Uloa. She changed the name to the current 'Viña Tarapacá' to pay tribute to President Alessandri Palma, who was her lawyer and political associate.
Viña Tarapacá became part of the Chilean wine corporation VSPT Group through a merger with San Pedro in 2008. Tarapacá has emerged as a core brand of VSPT, particularly its 'Gran Reserva' line, which has consistently received high praise worldwide and remains the best-selling wine in Chile.
As it signifies honoring the lion of Tarapacá, who led the reforms in Chile, Viña Tarapacá has also driven changes and evolution in the Chilean wine industry. The winery recognized the importance of terroir and conducted large-scale soil research in the 2010s. A total of 373 pits were dug across vineyards covering 2,600 hectares, analyzing volcanic soil that reaches a depth of 2 meters. As a result, seven different soil types were identified, leading to systematic adoption of varietal selection and winemaking methods appropriate for each.
Gran Reserva Chardonnay is one of the wines that represents this achievement. This Chardonnay is produced in Leyda Valley, one of the cooler wine regions in Chile. Thanks to the winds from the Pacific Ocean and cloudy weather, the grapes ripen slowly, concentrating flavors, acidity, and a salty minerality.
Head winemaker Sebastián Luiz noted in several interviews, "The Chardonnay of Tarapacá is not just a simple white wine, but an interpretation of the terrain, climate, and sustainability."
The winemaking process is also intricate. Some of the harvested grapes are aged in French oak barrels for five months, while the rest are blended in stainless steel tanks to maintain freshness. This dual aging method provides complex aromas and a crisp texture. The bouquet ranges from orange peel, grapefruit, and white peach to vanilla and toasted almond, leaving a balanced structure and rich mineral finish.
The food pairing is excellent. The harmony with smoked salmon, rabbit dishes, and well-aged Gruyère cheese enhances the wine's true value. It is characterized by its flexibility, able to pair with various foods from the start to the end of the meal.
Viña Tarapacá is not just a brand that relies on a historic name. To ensure sustainable wine production, it has introduced a smart irrigation system to minimize water usage across all vineyards and has minimized pesticide use to protect biodiversity. Among the wineries belonging to VSPT Group, Tarapacá was the first to receive carbon footprint measurement and eco-certification.
These efforts have gained attention in the global market. Tarapacá wines are currently exported to over 60 countries, and particularly in the premium white wine sector, Gran Reserva Chardonnay has been praised for redefining the quality of Chilean wines. Decanter awarded 90 points to the 2020 vintage, Descorchados gave 92 points, and James Suckling recently awarded 91 points to the 2023 vintage. It also received the award in the new world white wine institutional sector at the 2025 Korea Wine & Spirits Awards. In the country, HiteJinro imports it.