Mauro Von Siebenthal is a man of fine tastes: he knows all the scores of Beethoven, has a penchant for oil paintings and has been collecting Bordeaux wines since before he was old enough to drink. Born and raised in Switzerland, he spent the first half of his professional life working as a successful lawyer in Switzerland and the other half he has dedicated to running his boutique winery in Aconcagua Valley, Chile.
Viña Von Siebenthal is his home today, where he and his son manage a modest but strictly premium wine production. “Tatay was one of the first Chilean wines to be priced over $200 USD the bottle,” Mauro tells me as he syphons off a sample of Tatay Carmenere from the 2016 vintage – still waiting in barrel for full maturity. Long ageing periods and extended barrel time is a trademark of Viña Von Siebenthal and a look around the barrel room is dizzying. “We have more barrels than wine!” he laughs.
Patience is part of the art in Viña Von Siebenthal. And a taste of their 2010 Toknar – a single variety Petit Verdot – still reveals the wine to be in its youth, hinting towards great ageing potential. “When I arrived, I mistakenly thought Chilean wines couldn’t age – but in fact they age extremely well.”
His wines are mainly composed of Bordeaux and Rhone varieties – including one white wine, a voluptuous Viognier – each expressing the sunny climate and luminosity of Aconcagua Valley.
In our interview below, Mauro explains why Aconcagua Valley captured his imagination and offered an instant emotional connection:
My visit to Viña Von Siebenthal was in association with Wine Paths: offering luxury and exclusive wine tours and experiences in wine regions around the world.
