Flaherty Wines

Flaherty Wines - A Boutique Winery in Aconcagua Valley

Founded by Ed Flaherty and Jen Hoover, Flaherty Wines is a charming boutique winery located in the heart of Chile's Aconcagua Valley. The couple moved from California to Chile in 1993 for a harvest and decided to stay, captivated by the country's ideal winegrowing climate. This region is known for its ripe fruit, smooth tannins, and vibrant primary fruit flavors. Ed has honed his skills at renowned wineries like Cono Sur, Errázuriz, and Tarapacá before establishing Flaherty Wines in 2004 to pursue his own winemaking vision.

Flaherty Wines stands out as one of the few boutique wineries in Chile, producing wines with remarkable intensity and depth.

Wine Production and Export

Starting with just 1,200 bottles of a single red blend in 2004, Flaherty Wines has expanded its production to approximately 40,000 bottles by 2015. The winery currently offers three distinct red blends sourced from the Aconcagua and Cauquenes vineyard areas. About half of their wines are sold within Chile, while the rest are exported to markets in Brazil, Germany, Korea, and the United States.

Vineyards and Ideal Conditions

The vineyards of Flaherty Wines thrive in the Aconcagua Valley, a semi-desert region with less than 200 mm of rainfall annually. To sustain the vines, the winery employs drip irrigation and vertical trellis systems. In 2008, Flaherty Wines acquired 14 hectares near Cauquenes in the Maule region, which benefits from a cooler coastal climate and approximately 700 mm of rainfall each year. The red clay soils in this area retain moisture, allowing for dry farming. Here, Petite Sirah and Tempranillo flourish, as they are well-suited to arid conditions. Additionally, the winery features a small section of century-old País (Mission) vines.

Flaherty Winery is proud to be a founding member of the Independent Vintners’ Movement (MOVI), a trade organization that supports small, owner-operated wine projects. Each November, MOVI hosts an annual tasting event in Santiago, showcasing the unique offerings of its members.