The history of the Escudo Rojo estate
Baron Philippe de Rothschild in Chile
Baron Philippe de Rothschild has always been driven by a deeply-rooted pioneering spirit. At the end of the 1990s, their bold vision urged them to conquer the Chilean winegrowing lands. Upon arrival, Baroness Philippine de Rothschild was utterly smitten by what the land had to offer and saw the terroir’s immense potential. She then took over the running of the company, guided by the ambition to produce branded wines from these lands, that would stand out due to their superior quality.
Escudo Rojo, the marriage between French know-how and Chilean soil
The estate’s name,"Escudo Rojo", reflects the rich and multicultural history that it proudly boasts. Indeed, these two Spanish words express the purely Chilean identity of the estate. Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s unique know-how shines through the translation of "Escudo Rojo", meaning "Rote Schild" in German and "blason rouge" in French. The identity of Escudo Rojo is therefore the promise of a prosperous marriage between the best Chilean terroirs and grape varieties that are both of French and native origin. All these elements are sublimated by the company's long French winemaking tradition.
The terroir of Escudo Rojo
The Maipo Valley: the cradle of fine Chilean wines
Chile is a true winemaking paradise on earth and a popular destination for fine wine lovers. The central part of the country is particularly interesting due to its exceptional weather conditions. This major asset, combined with an extraordinary range of terroirs, enables the uniquely diverse soils and climate to produce wines with a very distinctive identity.
Seduced by the land, Baron Philippe de Rothschild chose to establish itself in the heart of Chile due to the array of terroirs. Indeed, the terroirs are poised to produce fine wines that combine quality and excellence in a unique style.
The geology of the Escudo Rojo vineyard
The Maipo Valley, the historic and green heart of Chilean vineyards, is home to the Escudo Rojo vineyards. The vines are 80 kilometres long, 35 kilometres wide and spread across almost 12,200 hectares. Two rivers, the Maipo and the Mapocho, influence the soils, which are essentially composed of alluvium, gravel, stones, but also sand and clay.
The Chilean climate
Aside from the geological influence, the rivers also greatly impact the regulation of the climate. They act as a natural barrier against frost in winter and against excessive heat in summer. A small temperature difference between day and night, enables the grapes to ripen beautifully. The strong sunshine and low humidity leads to the expression of beautiful aromas.
The Baron Philippe de Rothschild philosophy
A cutting-edge Chilean winery
Situated 45 kilometres to south of Santiago, the estate in the middle of the 60-hectare Viña Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chile vineyard. All steel and wood, with a subtle and elegant architecture, this estate uses state-of-the-art technology and its Bordeaux winemaking heritage in order to elevate its high-quality wines. The masterful know-how of the Baron Philippe de Rothschild estates, such as Château Mouton Rothschild, guide you through the winemaking experience at Escudo Rojo.
The winemaking process, from elaboration to bottling and ageing, takes place in the heart of a simple and refined estate. In order to preserve Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s DNA, a French oenologist oversees each stage of the winemaking process and the bodega has an on-site laboratory.
Environmentally friendly viticulture
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chile's commitment to the environment enhances the company’s deep respect for this place that is home to such incredible valleys and terroirs. Nine key principles guide Escudo Rojo's viticultural and environmental policy on a daily basis. They aim to preserve and even enrich natural vegetation, ecosystems, vineyards and groundwater, but also to provide healthy working conditions for their employees, by preventing work-related illnesses and accidents, limiting the amount of waste and using energy in a responsible manner... Social equity, ecological principles and economic viability are the three pillars of the estate's strength.
A sustainable approach recognised by ecological certifications
Three renowned certifications confirm Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chile's environmental commitment. The Sustainable Wine of Chile is a thorough environmental protection policy that is in line with Chilean legislation. Since 2011, the Global A.P. has recognised the sustainable work undertaken by the estate, thus acknowledging the conscientious practices put in place in order to attain both a safe and sustainable agriculture. Lastly, the HACCP certification obtained in 2012 confirms the quality and safety of the food, thus guaranteeing the safety of consumers.
The range of Escudo Rojo wines
Baronesa P.
A tribute to Philippine de Rothschild, this special wine highlights the founder's fascination with the richness of Chilean soil. A fine blend, this vintage combines five of the Maipo Valley’s iconic grape varieties, while leaving the lion's share of Cabernet Sauvignon, a reference to Baroness Philippine De Rothschild's roots in Bordeaux. Complex aromas conjured up by the marriage between fruit and spices, this wine expresses, from the nose to the palate, a noble elegance.
Escudo Rojo Origin
Stemming from the Maipo Valley at the foot of the Andes moutains, to the south of Santiago, this wine accurately reflects its origins. Both elegant and subtle, this red wine reveals a pleasant volume, generosity and acidity which are all balanced in a deliciously velvety texture. Its never-ending finesse offers a very promising ageing potential.
Escudo Rojo Gran Reserva
This reserve wine stems from a patchwork of terroirs that are fascinating due to their weather conditions and diverse soils. The land’s diversities give rise to the most beautiful expressions of both traditional Bordeaux grape varieties and native grape varieties. The result is a generous, smooth red wine with a fine aromatic richness.
Escudo Rojo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
Also from the famous Maipo Valley, this wine benefits from the best climatic and geological conditions. The wine is mostly made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, and showcases the characteristic expression of this grape variety, known for its roundness and its aromas of blackcurrant, pepper and liquorice. These features are wonderfully exhibited through this fresh, fine and elegant red wine.
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