2019 The Ploughmen Sauzal Vineyard, Garage Wine Company
Cauquenes, Maule Valley, Chile
The Ploughman’s Oracle
This is Chilean old-vine red with grit, perfume and a beautifully wild heartbeat. From Sauzal Vineyard in Empedrado, it brings together Carignan, Garnacha and Mataró in a field blend full of dark plum, blackberry, redcurrant and violet, followed by cedar, dried herbs, orange peel, aniseed, earth and a little smoky spice. It feels rooted and alive, with the sort of savoury depth that only old vines and careful hands can bring.
The palate is vivid, textured and quietly powerful, with black fruit, red berries, fine tannins and pulsing acidity running into a long, stony finish. There is richness here, but also lift, giving the wine that wonderful Garage Wine Company balance of rusticity and elegance. It is handmade, dry-farmed, deeply expressive and full of Maule soul.
For when you want a red with old-vine depth, Chilean character and something properly human behind it.
Pairs with lamb shoulder, grilled steak, pork belly, mushroom stew, smoky aubergine, charcuterie, lentils, or anything cooked slowly over fire.
If this wine were… a field, it would be a forgotten Maule hillside brought back to life by horse, hand and stubborn belief.
Garage Wine Company began in Pilar Miranda and Derek Mossman Knapp’s garage, alongside Dr Alvaro Peña, before becoming one of Chile’s most respected small-scale producers. Their work focuses on old, dry-farmed vineyards, small growers and forgotten parcels across Maule and Itata, using native yeasts, hand punch-downs, basket pressing and a deep commitment to reviving Chile’s old-vine heritage.
Whats in the bottle
Cariñena 38%, Garnacha 58%, Monastrell 4%
Notable Awards
94 Points - Wine Advocate,
94 Points - James Suckling