An extreme place in the middle of the desert where life is a miracle. This vineyard has 3.66 ha., which were planted in 2010 with varieties like Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. The vines are drip-irrigated with water from the River Huasco. There is a lot of salt at the surface, which needs to be treated with long, abundant watering in order to keep the plants in good health.
Nicolasa is in the Huasco Valley 21km from the Pacific Ocean and 25km inland from Vallenar. Its proximity to the coast means that there is a maritime influence during the ripening period, which regulates the maximum temperatures in summer. During most of the grape-ripening period, a morning sea fog tends to appear, known locally as Camanchaca.
238 metres above sea level.
2.667 plants per hectare.
Year-round desert climate with little or no rainfall in winter. The average temperature is 15°C-16°C. This vineyard is less windy than Longomilla because it is further from the River Huasco ravine. As a result, the average minimum temperatures in winter do not drop below 8°C, while the maximum temperatures in summer between December and February are close to 27°C.
The topography is almost flat. The soil has a clay texture with more than 40% clay in its profile. The surface is not stony but, at a depth of around 60cm, there is a stony matrix that is calcareous in origin. This is decomposing because of the strong action of the minerals in the soil. The soil has very good water retention and porosity. pH 8.2 Alkaline with a high sum of exchangeable bases with minerals like magnesium, potassium, sodium and, above all, calcium.
45mm per year. Most rain falls between May and August.
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