<42> Chile’s Battig
A New Sanctuary for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
Minimal Intervention Winemaking Approach
Editor’s NoteThere is no wine that is exactly the same under the sky. Even when grapes grown in the same soil are harvested and the wine is vinified and aged in the same way every year, the results are always different. Wine is a ‘spirit of serendipity’, born from the union of humanity and nature. Every wine, vanishing quietly after leaving just a single vivid memory, carries a fascinating story. ‘Asia Economy Wine Cellar’ brings you unique stories behind wines, each nurtured and matured under different circumstances.
The preconceived notion of Chile as a source of ‘low-priced wine’ has been challenged. Battig, a winery that pioneered Chilean premium wine in the southern Malleco Valley, beyond the Central Valley—the main grape-growing region of Chile, a country famous for its long and narrow landscape—has recently drawn attention as an ’emerging force of Chile’ in the global wine market.
Battig was established in 2013 by Francisco Battig, the former chief winemaker of the famed Chilean winery Errazuriz, and Carlos De Carlos, a sales and marketing expert. Francisco oversees all aspects of winemaking and production, while Carlos takes charge of branding and management of the winery.
Francisco, a Legendary Winemaker from Prestigious Chilean Winery ‘Errazuriz’
Francisco Batig (right), co-founder of Bathed Winery in Chile, and Carlos de Carlos. Provided by Ayoung FBC.
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Francisco is renowned as a legendary Chilean winemaker who transformed the winemaking paradigm of Chilean wine. For over 20 years, he served as head winemaker at Errazuriz, where he created iconic global wines such as Sena, Vinedo Chadwick, and Don Maximiano.
In particular, ‘Vinedo Chadwick 2014’, the first Chilean wine in history to receive a perfect 100 points from the world-famous wine critic James Suckling, was crafted under Francisco’s direction. Vinedo Chadwick 2014 is often regarded as being on par with top-tier wines from Bordeaux in France and Napa Valley in the United States.
Every wine produced at Battig passes through Francisco’s hands. From entirely hand-harvested grapes to the use of natural fermentation, as well as the adoption of dry farming and minimizing additives, Battig practices a ‘minimal intervention’ winemaking approach. As a result, Battig’s wines are lively, precise, and balanced works of art.
During his recent visit to Korea, Carlos, co-founder and CEO of Battig, said at a media luncheon held at Le Monde du Vin in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, “Grapes cultivated in Traiguén have thinner skins and lower sugar content compared to grapes from other Chilean regions.” He added, “The alcohol content is also lower than typical Chilean wines, making the fruit itself more vibrant and fresh.”
Chile’s Southernmost Traiguén… Compared to Grand Cru of Burgundy, France
Map of the Trigen region in Chile. Vino Batig homepage.
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Unlike the common wine-producing regions of Chile, Traiguén is located at the southernmost tip of the country and is characterized by a cool climate and volcanic soil. The wide temperature variation, abundant sunshine, and cool climate slow down the ripening period of grapes, resulting in fresh wines with pronounced acidity. Premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with high flavor concentration and excellent structure are gaining recognition here as the region’s signature wines.
One of the most distinctive features of the Traiguén region is its red volcanic ash clay soil, called ‘Trumao’. This soil drains well, is rich in minerals, and gives the wine a refined minerality, a subtle salinity, and a tightly woven tannin structure. Unlike central Chile, Traiguén receives high annual rainfall, making dry farming with only rainwater possible—no irrigation is required. As grapevine roots penetrate deep into the soil searching for moisture, the unique characteristics of the terroir—climate, soil, and natural conditions—are directly reflected in the wine.
This is why Battig and a handful of other wineries have established vineyards in Traiguén, producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that are bright, elegant, and as sophisticated as France’s Burgundy Grand Crus (which refers to the highest-quality vineyards, or wines produced in such vineyards).
Battig does not diversify across various grape varieties in the cool climate, but instead focuses exclusively on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They determined that these two varieties alone could produce wines that best represent Traiguén’s plentiful rainfall and volcanic soils. At Battig, grapes are harvested and vinified parcel by parcel, and each lot undergoes a separate oak aging process. For this reason, rather than using quality grades like ‘Reserva’ or ‘Gran Reserva’, which are commonly used in Chile, Battig organizes its line-up based on vineyard origin and plot.
Carlos, CEO, commented, “When searching for vineyard land, one of the main criteria was to find a region suitable for long-term cultivation, even in an era of climate change. That’s why we turned our attention south of central Chile and found potential in Traiguén in Malleco.”
He added, “We came all the way to Traiguén to discover the best vineyard, and were impressed by the beautiful slopes and unique soil. Before planting, we brought in a renowned French geologist to examine the terrain and determine the suitability for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which we planted for the first time here.”
“Opening a New Chapter for Chilean Wine”… Commitment to ‘Natural Fermentation’
Vineyard view of Batig Winery in Chile. Provided by Ayoung FBC.
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Battig introduced its first wine made from grapes harvested in 2019 to the public in 2020. Since its debut, Battig’s wines have received rave reviews from top international critics such as Robert Parker, who described them as “opening a new chapter for Chilean wine.” Currently, Battig exports to 20 countries, with 20% of production sold in Japan. Their main portfolio includes ‘Vino de Vinedo’, made from a single vineyard, ‘Selección Parcela’, which emphasizes refined aging, and their flagship, ‘Vino de Parcela’.
Battig insists on only using natural fermentation rather than commercial yeast. While natural fermentation is more difficult to manage due to the risk of slow or stuck fermentations, Battig prefers this approach, accepting the outcomes that arise naturally from the vineyard rather than overlaying the wines with commercial yeast’s specific aroma profiles.
Regarding this, CEO Carlos emphasized, “We were inspired by the mindset of Burgundy, but our actual goal is not to produce ‘Burgundy-style Chilean wine’, but to create Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Traiguén with a unique, independent identity.”
Wine produced by the ‘Baetig’ winery in Chile. Photo by Kyungjun Heo.
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Battig’s signature releases include ‘Battig Vino Vinedo Chardonnay 2023’, ‘Battig Selección Parcela Chardonnay 2023’, ‘Battig Vino Vinedo Pinot Noir 2023’, and ‘Battig Vino Vinedo Cabernet Sauvignon’. Battig produces only small quantities of 500 to 2,500 cases per grape variety.
Battig Vino Vinedo Chardonnay 2023 entices with sweet peach and pear aromas layered with a touch of honey on the nose, balanced by lively acidity and minerality that leave a long finish. Battig Selección Parcela Chardonnay 2023, an upper-tier wine known for its complexity, finesse, and aging potential, features notes of apricot, pear, almond, walnut, and freshly baked bread. On the palate, the harmonious interplay of fresh citrus and subtle oak is pleasing, with solid structure, moderate acidity, and a long finish.
Battig Vino Vinedo Pinot Noir 2023 offers vibrant cherry and raspberry notes with delicate floral overtones. The concentrated aromas of fresh blueberries and strawberries, coupled with balanced acidity, make for exceptional harmony. Battig Vino Vinedo Cabernet Sauvignon presents sweet spicy notes and a hint of floral aromas. Tasting reveals dark fruit such as cherry, while the finish lingers with nuances of dark chocolate and cedar.
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CEO Carlos remarked, “At Battig, Chardonnay is the star student, while Pinot Noir is the difficult child. We’ve invested more than a decade, and it seems that only now are we starting to see the results.”
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