Our thoughts and ruminations on the Garage, the wines, the wine trade and all things wine.
Garage Wine Co – Old-vine Wrapped 2025
The year‑in‑review of from harvest mornings in Sazual to late night tastings in Stockholm.
Our journey through 2025
It was a year of recognition:
Pilar was honoured with the Premio al Mérito Vitivinícola from the Chilean Agronomist–Oenologists ANIAE, [lifetime achievement award from her peers] recognising her trajectory, wines, and most importantly her work with Garage reviving old vines with small growers. The award was significant for a small winery and underlines what Garage has always been about farming old vines with purpose.
A lighter harvest but still lots of heavy lifting,
And there was more recognition:
Cariñena Empedrado Cru Truquilemu 2021 was the No. 2 wine for JamesSuckling in its Top 100 for 2025, highlighting [their words] : the depth, energy and character of old-vine Cariñena from Maule. Not bad for a small, family, farm‑focused winery, to rub shoulders with the country’s biggest names and grandest cellars on a list that champions the cutting edge of meticulous vineyard work, precise winemaking and patient élevage in the cellar— [their words again] ¨that can stand on any world stage¨.
And lots of travels to market
This year Ignacio joined Derek spreading the good word and pouring the wines on the road. We did Master Classes in Holland, Belgium Sweden & UK, poured at Wine Fairs in Sao Paolo, Mexico City, Lima, Toronto, Sonoma, Lodi, Stockholm and Halstad, and finally began a proper distribution in Chile as far South as Torres del Paine.
[5 travelling shots x varios Ignacio somm in Truqui & Iggy in Mex City Fair, lima torres . . .
[6 Derek Sweden, Toronto, CA, London Belgium Amsterdam …]
And farm work — there is no rest for the wicked
And lots of visitors
Come in working clothes we like to say
Many joined us on the farms and with the team and a country lunch to follow with Ester & Christian: Paul-Lobenberg, Merel-Mexico, Aaaron-Peru, Carlos-Colombia, Jim-UK, Al-USA and many others . . .
And we spoke at conferences like the Old Vine Conference in California
In late 2025, Derek travelled to the Old Vine Conference in California, joining a global gathering of old‑vine advocates, writers and growers committed to preserving heritage vineyards. Old Vines farmed with purpose remains our ethos and Derek joined many other old-vine champions on panels and in tastings and discussions: Rosa Kruger, Teegan Passalacqua, Sarah Abbott, MW Alder Yarrow, Stuart Spencer, Greg Jones, Morgan Twain MW & Chris, Scott Stewart, Peter Granoff MS, Michelle Bouffard, Robert Joseph, Jancis Robinson, Paul Draper . . .
Terrific wines, visits, company and ideas. And now the work will continue better aligned with old vines around the world…
And at La Cav Mesa de Cata Awards MoVI won the Jose Guilisasti Award
- Published in Editorial
Pilar Miranda was awarded the Mérito Vitivinicola prize
This October 18th, Pilar was awarded the Merito Vitivinicola prize from the Asociacion Nacional de Ingenieros Agronomos Enologos. It is the lifetime achievement award chosen and awarded by the membership – a tradition that goes back more than fifty years.
Some great stories of her professional beginnings, the founding of MoVI, Vigno & Almaule and her steering of Garage into what it is today, told by many…
- Published in Editorial
Garage on tour: Jun 2025
La Tapa Canaria, Belgium
(el Convento WineBar Belgium Leuven )
Halmstad, Sweden
- Published in Editorial
Garage wine on tour: Pilar in Brazil
- Published in Editorial
Rosé, Malbec, and the next big thing
Today we begin to launch a Malbec— and a part of me shudders. For years we have been told countless times that no need to include Old Vine Pale (our Rosé) because Rosé is now passé and no one wants it: no one wants to taste it, buy it, stock it, or waste time on it.
And Old Vine Pale Rosé has grown 10 + % for the last decade. The same decade Rosé-all-day big-thing-pink blew up, blew out and blew back.
It has been fun, painstakingly countering insisting that that ours is not a Rosé. ¨It is a Winter Rose¨ ¨It´s a chilled red…¨ and my personal favorite and Pilar´s invention: ¨it´s the first glass of a long lunch.¨ In point of fact we sold it for years and years as simply Old Vine Pale to avoid the moniker: Rosé in hopes of not arousing suspicion.
Next Big Thing Thinking
As you may have gathered, Old Vine Pale was not an attempt to cash in on the next big thing. It was what to do with eight rows of Cariñena with greater yields, rows that would simply not work in the reds we were developing in Truqui.
Trying to cash in on the next big thing in wine is like flying a flat kite behind a water ski boat. The moment you are airborne the apparatus begins to yo-yo madly from side to side. Unless you commit to lean counter intuitively towards the wrong side you are never able to stabilize the contraption— and the water hurts when you are all strapped in.
Malbec
For years we have had old vine bush-head Malbec and we have been happy to blend it into our Maule Cabernet. In 2022 we kept the shoots shorter so they did not fall and expose the fruit to the sun and whammy, we had a proper, read `larger´, crop and delicious fruit. After two winters in barrel we loved the resulting wine, and we decided to bottle a Malbec. It has spent a third Winter in bottle it is time to begin to think about a name to introduce the wine to society.
For those of you who attend Tiny Tasting today: you will get the first taste.
What will the reaction be outside Chile? Our next big thing? Please no. We have never chased a big thing. I doubt we ever will. So far: ¨Uffff another label Derek? Perhaps let’s look at it next year? Malbec came and went a few years ago. Hard to sell Malbec these days.¨
For those who dare to taste the wine first I think the path is clear. She is a beauty and just beginning life.
Fact for the freakies: Malbec first came to South America to San Rosendo [See Jancis Robinson if you do not believe me link: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/how-malbec-got-to-argentina-via-chile How far from San Rosendo to our vineyard? About 100 miles and about 200 years. So we shan´t be in any hurry.
Note: For those in Chile, who can not make the tasting today, we shall put a few cases together including the Malbec in question, but after this week when it is gone, then we shall roll-out slowly without hurry without need nor mention of any big thing thinking.
Cheers,
Derek
Rosé, Malbec, y la próxima gran cosa
Hoy empezamos a lanzar un Malbec, y una parte de mí se estremece. Durante años nos han dicho innumerables veces que no hacía falta incluir Old Vine Pale (nuestro Rosé) porque el Rosé ya es passé y nadie lo quiere: nadie quiere probarlo, comprarlo, almacenarlo ni perder el tiempo con él.
Y Old Vine Pale Rosé ha crecido un 10 + % durante la última década. La misma década en la que el rosado, la gran cosa de todos los días, ha estallado, se ha apagado y ha vuelto a estallar.
Ha sido divertido, meticulosamente contrarrestar insistiendo en que la nuestra no es una Rosé.
¨Es un Rosado de Invierno¨ ¨Es un tinto frío…¨ y mi favorito personal e invención de Pilar: ¨es la primera copa de un largo almuerzo.¨
De hecho, lo vendimos durante años como Old Vine Pale para evitar el apodo: Rosé con la esperanza de no levantar sospechas.
La próxima gran idea
Como habrán deducido, Old Vine Pale no era un intento de sacar provecho de la próxima gran novedad. Era qué hacer con ocho hileras de Cariñena con mayores rendimientos, hileras que simplemente no funcionarían en los tintos que estábamos desarrollando en Truqui.
Tratar de sacar provecho de la próxima gran cosa en el vino es como volar una cometa plana detrás de un barco de esquí acuático.
En el momento en que estás en el aire, el aparato empieza a moverse como un yoyó de un lado a otro. A menos que te comprometas a inclinarte de forma contraintuitiva hacia el lado equivocado, nunca serás capaz de estabilizar el artilugio, y el agua duele cuando estás atado.
Malbec
Durante años hemos tenido Malbec de viñas viejas y hemos estado encantados de mezclarlo con nuestro Cabernet del Maule. En 2022 mantuvimos los sarmientos más cortos para que no se cayeran y expusieran la fruta al sol y, zas, tuvimos una cosecha adecuada, léase “más grande”, y una fruta deliciosa. Tras dos inviernos en barrica nos encantó el vino resultante, y decidimos embotellar un Malbec. Ha pasado un tercer invierno en botella y es hora de empezar a pensar en un nombre para presentar el vino en sociedad.
Para los que asistan hoy al Tiny Tasting: tendrán la primera cata.
¿Cuál será la reacción fuera de Chile? ¿Nuestra próxima gran cosa? Por favor, no. Nunca hemos perseguido algo grande. Dudo que alguna vez lo hagamos. Hasta ahora: ¨¿Uffff otro etiqueta Derek!? ¿Quizás lo veamos el año que viene? Malbec vino y se fue hace unos años. Es difícil vender Malbec hoy en día.¨
Para aquellos que se atreven a probar el vino primero creo que el camino está claro. Es una belleza y recién empieza la vida.
Dato para los freakies: El Malbec llegó por primera vez a Sudamérica a San Rosendo [Vean a Jancis Robinson si no me creen link: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/how-malbec-got-to-argentina-via-chile ¿Qué tan lejos de San Rosendo al campo nuestro? Unos 100 millas y unos 200 años. Así que no vamos estar con estar con ningúna prisa.
Nota: Para aquellos en Chile, que no pueden hacer la degustación de hoy, vamos a armar un par de cajas mixtas, incluyendo el Malbec en cuestión, pero después de esta semana, cuando se ha ido, entonces vamos a rodar lentamente sin prisa sin necesidad ni mención de cualquier próxima gran cosa.
Salud,
Derek
- Published in Editorial
Los 15 años de MoVi
The Movimiento de Viñateros Independientes (MoVi) came to shake up the Chilean wine scene, until then dominated by medium to large wineries. Today, with 35 members, it continues to bring fresh air to Chilean wine.
In the late 2000s, the Chilean wine scene was very different from what it is today. Supermarket shelves were generous with labels, but it was dominated by medium and large wineries, and the idea that you couldn’t make a living from wine if you didn’t produce, half a million bottles, was what prevailed. But little by little things were changing. In those years, there were murmurs of small winemakers in the south of Chile, in Maule and Itata, and Biobío, artisans who were proposing a different world, land not brand — instead of the demands of the international market. This group, today well consolidated, was – and still is – the antithesis of what is known as the wine ‘industry’.
But something was missing, a group to fill a gap and make change happen. And that role was played by Movi, the movement of independent vintners. By 2009, many of the Chilean wine industry’s decisions depended on one or a few associations that mainly included large conglomerates in their ranks. In those years, and under that scheme, the possibilities of visualisation for small producers or ventures were limited. As this was the reality, and in a scenario of high production volumes and economies of scale, the costs of inputs to produce in small industry were high and often did not reach the minimum purchase requirements. It was in response to this problem that Movi was born’, says Sergio Avendaño, from Viña Trabún, and current president of Movi.
But beyond this objective, what caught the attention of Movi was the way they showed themselves to the public, in an informal / hippie way for the extra conservative standards of wine in Chile in those years. And there you could see them, twelve producers who were the ones who formed the association in 2009, present at fairs, with the music up, all with their allusive t-shirts, a tribe of people who showed a much more relaxed side of wine. Today there are 35 members of Movi. In the beginning, the selection criteria was a search for projects that fit our philosophy and we invited them to participate. Over time, the formula has changed and today each project that enters the organization does so through an active member who presents it to the board’, says Avendaño.
And they all comply with the idea of being small producers who, united, manage to make themselves known in an industry where marketing, airline tickets, hotels and restaurant meals take up a good part of the budget for dissemination. Chile has by far the largest average winery size in the world and the niche wine scene didn’t really exist. Movi moved the bar, it was the first group that showed that in Chile you could make wines on a human scale and it was the spearhead for everything that happened afterwards. In the mid-1990s, it was easy to know 100% of all the wines made in Chile. Today that is very difficult. The number of labels and names is infinite. That atomisation was thanks to Movi. But they were soon not alone. Chile was ready for this step.
After fifteen years, this partnership continues to offer fresh air on the national scene, the Movi Nights parties are among the most attended events in Chilean wine (and among the most entertaining) and the wines, at the beginning perhaps too focused on making a living for the owners, today seem more confident, more relaxed and more diverse. There is a diversity of proposals within Movi and that diversity is good for Chilean wine.
- Published in Editorial, Press / Prensa
Harvest 2024
It was challenging, but we are done.
When they say it does not rain in Chile during harvest: untrue. It rained twice— a third time after we finished picking… but the challenge this year did not stem from rain, but rather ripeness. Ripeness varied across vineyards more than usual. For Garage it was a serious challenge because we farm 34 hectares across a series of 17 [very] different parcels. And within each parcel there was greater heterogeneity than we have ever seen.
So we brought the fruit in to the cellar in smaller pieces subdividing already divided small parcels into bits smaller still. Beyond the mayhem of so many small bits, it was a terrific harvest to compare and contrast (the different bits). We learned a great deal, even from farms we have been working for 15 plus years.
Our wine-maker in-the-fields (each year we have two young winemakers helping: one in the cellar and one in-the-fields to bring in the fruit just right. Felipe-in-the-fields almost went crazy pursuing precision in the midst of madness, but he managed and managed it well.
For about fifteen years now we have been building a team working the vines and fields adjacent throughout the yearly cycle from from pruning thru to harvest. This year more than ever before that team has shown to have paid dividends in quality. As we like to say: ¨ We have to return to farmer wisdom. There is far more wisdom amongst farmers than we realise. ¨
It has been through inclusion of farmers and their ideas that we have advanced our work with regenerative agriculture in a meaningful way for small growers.
What will 2024 bring next Spring and beyond?
- a crispy Old Vine Pale Rosé
- two bright whites
- ethereal Cariñena and Garnacha low in alcohol and high in fine round tense tannins that only ripe lignified stems can provide
- Cabernet numbers this year where text book (these will be bright and expressive with plenty of tension)
- Cinsault production was down so purchase early, because again textbook numbers
- And finally from Cauquenes will come lifted cool-climate old-vine Syrah and a soon to be released Malbec parcel than will certainly turn some heads. (The Malbec parcel begins bottled in 2022 so you do not have so long to wait).
We began by saying that it was a challenge. The longer hang-time certainly made it bad for the nerves, but we think the same extended hang-time will make it great for the bottles! We look forward to tasting things in barrel after malolactic in the Spring and we shall keep you informed when we do.
Best
Pilar, Derek, Alvaro & Team
Winners of The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024!! Announced
PRESS RELEASE
The winners of The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024 were announced at a virtual results webinar on Monday 25th March 2024.
To recognise and celebrate the diverse range of disciplines and expertise of those working in the virtuous cycle of old vine preservation The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024 fell into 5 award categories: Viticulture, Winemaking, Research, Communication and Commercial Impact. 105 nominations were received for individuals and organisations from 17 countries. The nominations were judged by an international panel of 15 old vine specialists and narrowed down to 16 finalists.
THE WINNERS ARE:
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for VITICULTURE was awarded to Professor Carlo Petrussi of Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy for a life-time of work dedicated to old vine preservation including his project documenting all the presented by Rosa Kruger – Founder & Chairperson of The Old Vine Project in South Africa.
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for WINEMAKING was awarded to Viviana Malafarina of Basilisco, in Basilicata, Italy for her leadership in the transformation of winemaking and viticultural practise in the Basilicata region. The award was presented by Dr Laura Catena – Founder of the Catena Institute of Wine, Managing Director Catena Zapata and winner of The Old Vine Hero Award 2023.
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for RESEARCH was awarded to Feudi di San Gregorio of Campania in Italy for their research project that centres on the protection of indigenous varietals entitled ‘The Patriarchs’ – a study and catalogue of century old Aglianico vines from Taurasi. The award was presented by Umay Çeviker, OVC Regional Ambassador for Türkiye and recipient of the IWSC grant for Old Vine research in 2023.
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for COMMUNICATION was awarded to Randy Caparoso, Journalist & Photographer based in California for his extensive written and photographic documentation of old vines in California and was presented by Tamlyn Currin, Senior Editor at JancisRobinson.com
The Old Vine Hero Award 2024 for COMMERCIAL IMPACT was awarded to Joel Peterson of Once and Future Wines in USA for his work crafting hundreds of critically-acclaimed, vineyard-designated wines and competitively-priced blends from California’s oldest vineyards. The award was presented by Sarah Abbott MW, co-founder of The Old Vine Conference.
A special award was announced at the results webinar in recognition of the outstanding work and overall impact on the old vine movement of Derek Mossmann Knapp of Garage Wine Co. in Chile and founding member of VIGNO. Derek Mossmann Knapp was shortlisted in the Old Vine Hero Award categories for Viticulture and Winemaking and the total number of nominations and votes Derek received across the board prompted the presentation of an award for OVERALL IMPACT.
“Derek Mossman-Knapp has been devoted to the native varieties and old vines of Chile for two decades. Derek has elevated the importance of the historical viticultural value of Chile helping to revive viticultural heritage, foster a proper economy for old vines and raise the profile of lesser valued varieties like Carignan and Semillon. His tireless work and leadership have led to increased economic value of these wine areas and this type of vineyard, reviving the communities in and around Maule and Itata. His contribution to the old vine movement has been impactful on a global scale, inspiring others to follow his example. Recognition for his influence is long overdue and we are extremely proud to recognise Derek’s work with this unprecedented Old Vine Hero Award for Overall Impact.” Sarah Abbott MW, co-founder, The Old Vine Conference.
The Old Vine Hero Awards, now in their second year, were established to recognise the dedication, tenacity and talents of those working with old vines and their wines. The Old Vine Hero Awards are the only awards dedicated to raising awareness of and celebrating the individuals and organisations around the world making the greatest contribution towards the positive progression of the old vine movement.
The Old Vine Conference announced the 16 shortlisted nominees for the 2024 awards on 11th March and enlisted the help of the global wine community to vote for the winner. Voting closed at 21.00 on 21st March 2024 with a total of just under 3,000 votes having been cast.
The Prize
The winners of each category of The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024 will be invited to speak about their work with old vines on a panel at The Old Vine Conference 2024 taking place virtually on the 17th and 18th October. Wines that express the work of the Old Vine Hero Award 2024 winners will be among those shown at a Masterclass hosted by co-founder of The Old Vine Conference, Sarah Abbott MW at the London Wine Fair on the 22nd May.
Nominations for the Old Vine Hero Award 2025 will open in January 2025.
The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024 Shortlisted nominees:
Viticulture
- Jesus Jimenez & Alejandro Vicente Castro, Bodega Numanthia, Toro, Spain
- Dr. Dylan Grigg, Australia and Spain
- Derek Mossman-Knapp, Garage Wine Co, Chile
- Professor Carlo Petrussi, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy > WINNER
Winemaking
- Maria Jose Granier, Jardin Oculto, Bolivia
- Viviana Malafarina, Basilisco, Basilicata, Italy > WINNER
- Derek Mossman-Knapp, Garage Wine Co, Chile
Research
- Feudi di San Gregorio, Campania, Italy > WINNER
- Plaimont Producteurs, Gascony, France
- PORVID (Portuguese Association for the Conservation of Grapevine Diversity), Portugal
Communication
- Randy Caparoso, Journalist/Photographer, California, USA > WINNER
- Katie Jones, Domaine Jones, France
- Robert Hill-Smith, Yalumba, Australia
Commercial Impact
- Giles Cooke MW, Co-Owner and Co-Founder of Thistledown Wine, South Australia
- Joel Peterson, Once and Future Wines, USA > WINNER
- André Morgenthal, South Africa
The Old Vine Hero Awards 2024 judging panel:
The Old Vine Conference Global team: Sarah Abbott MW, Alun Griffiths MW, Belinda Stone & Cynthia Chaplin
The Old Vine Conference Regional Ambassadors: Umay Çeviker, Michèle Shah, Amanda Barnes, Anna Harris-Noble, Yiannis Karakasis MW and Lilla O’Connor
Independent specialists: Tamlyn Currin, Senior Editor at JancisRobinson.com, Justin Howard-Sneyd MW, trustee of The Regenerative Viticulture Foundation, Dr Laura Catena, Founder of the Catena Institute of Wine and Managing Director Catena Zapata, Luca Wines and Domaine Nico, Rosa Kruger, Founder & Chairperson of The Old Vine Project in South Africa, Michelle Bouffard, author, wine educator, journalist & founder of Tasting Climate Change.
About The Old Vine Conference:
The Old Vine Conference is a non-profit organisation co-founded in 2021 by Sarah Abbott MW, Alun Griffiths MW and Leo Austin. Its aim is to bring together a global network and create a new category for wine from heritage vineyards. The Old Vine Conference is changing the path for old vines and their wines and in its first 3 years has contributed exponentially to the awareness, understanding and support of the global old vine movement. The first conference took place in March 2021.
The Old Vine Conference is funded by a combination of sponsorship, and trade, winery and individual membership.
Instagram: @ouroldvines
LinkedIn: @TheOldVineConferenceLtd
Twitter: @ouroldvines
Contact:
Belinda Stone
The Old Vine Conference
belinda@oldvines.org
+44 (0)7903 804227
- Published in Critics, Editorial, Press / Prensa
Suelo vivo, vino vivo…
Estamos reproduciendo microorganismos de un suelo de bosque próximo al viñedo. Hemos buscado un suelo con un perfil geológicamente similar al del viñedo, pero con más contenido orgánico. Más materia orgánica debido a la coexistencia de una gran cantidad de plantas, arbustos, árboles, podredumbre, bacterias y hongos, frente al viñedo con una sola especie dominante y un número reducido de materia orgánica. Mezclamos este mantillo oscuro con afrecho [cáscara de trigo o paja] con chancaca (como la melasa) disuelta en agua. Así inoculamos los microorganismos que recogimos en el bosque. Seguimos mojando la mezcla y la preparamos para un tipo especial de almacenamiento (para que los microorganismos se reproduzcan) dentro de un silo. Como es anaeróbico, necesitamos que la masa esté lo más compactada posible.
We are reproducing microorganisms from soils in the forest next to the vineyard. We look for soils with a similar geological profile to the vineyard, but with more organic content. More organics owing to a plentitude of plants, bushes, trees, rot, bacteria and funghi coexisting together, versus the vineyard with one dominant species and a depleted organic soil count. We mix this dark mulch with wheat husk or chaff and with chancaca (like molasses) dissolved in water. This is how we inoculate the micro-organisms that we collected in the forest. We continue to wet the mixture and prepare it for a special kind of storage (for micro-organisms to reproduce) inside a silo. As it is anaerobic, we need the mass to be as compacted as possible.
- Published in Editorial
Dry-farmed old vines higher up in the Coastal Range
Dry-farmed old vines higher up in the Coastal Range — Don Jose spent months crossing the high waters this year across a tree bridge but everything looks great. He does remember such high water once when he was 11 yrs old. He is now 74 hence I guess it was a 63 year storm this year. /
Viñas viejas cultivadas en secano arriba en la Cordillera de la Costa – Don José pasó meses cruzando las aguas altas este año por un puente de árboles, pero todo se ve muy bien. El recuerda tanto caudal una sola vez cuando tenia 11 años. Ahora tiene 74 años, por lo que supongo que este año no fue una tormenta de siglo sino de solo 63 años 😉
- Published in Editorial