WineBusiness.com: A new clone of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon 140+ year-old could re-start the genetics of the wine industry

Cabernet Sauvignon, the undisputed king of red wine grapes, currently stands at an existential crossroads. As climate change intensifies, the variety faces mounting threats from disease and pestilence, jeopardising its global legacy. Amidst this uncertainty, Chile is emerging as an unsung hero, leveraging its one-of-a-kind viticultural heritage to pioneer a solution to safeguard the future of this iconic grape.

From Bordeaux to Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon is under siege. Pests, diseases and climate-driven challenges are shortening vineyard longevity, forcing growers to replant every 30 to 40 years. The resurgence of phylloxera and the emergence of new pests like margarodes have further exposed the vulnerabilities of traditional solutions, such as grafting onto resistant rootstocks.

The urgency is clear: without innovative interventions, the future of Cabernet Sauvignon could be compromised.

Chile’s Hidden Genetic Treasure

Chile offers hope through its expansive treasure trove of pre-phylloxera vines, untouched by the pestilence outbreaks that devastated Europe in the 19th century. These vines, preserved by Chile’s natural barriers and geographical isolation, represent an untainted lineage of Cabernet Sauvignon — a rarity in today’s viticultural landscape.

The discovery of century-old Malbec vines in San Rosendo few years ago, a historic region in Chile’s Bío Bío Valley, has ignited fresh interest among winemakers and oenologists. Nestled along the Laja and Bío Bío rivers, this ancient viticultural heritage — once revitalised by a fleeting rise in grape prices — has now become the cornerstone for a new wave of wineries committed to reviving local vineyard traditions with the backing of visionary winemakers.

In 2015, the Agricultural Engineer Max Morales returned to his hometown of Laja and launched the ‘Vineyard Social Innovation Strategy’ as a groundbreaking initiative designed to support local families managing small vineyard plots. These plots included not only ancient Malbec but also heritage Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines, enriching San Rosendo’s already historic viticultural tapestry. The discovery of 140-year-old vines of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, País and Malbec further highlighted the region’s immense potential. Morales envisioned a long-term genetic preservation strategy, recognising the importance of safeguarding these ancient vines for future generations.

Collaborating with Héctor Espinoza, owner of Vi?a Tierra Firme, Morales played a pivotal role in protecting a vast number of ancient Cabernet Sauvignon vines. These remained quietly preserved, as Malbec took centre stage in the pre-pandemic years.

Between 2015 and 2016, Morales was contracted by CORFO, Chile’s innovation agency, to develop the Wine Industry Roadmap as part of the Chile Vitivinícola 2.0 initiative, which prioritised climate resilience for old vineyards. This period cemented his vision for leveraging Chile’s heritage vineyards as a global resource.

After nearly two years as an entrepreneurial digital nomad in Texas and Mexico, Morales returned to Chile in 2023 to strengthen his work with pre-eminent wine families, ensuring the preservation of these unique grape varieties. His efforts, alongside Francesca Bridgewater FCIM, laid the foundation for a groundbreaking project through the AndesWines.com platform: mapping Chile’s ancient Cabernet Sauvignon vines and creating the world’s first Genetic Vine Rescue Centre.

The project’s mission? To preserve and propagate the original DNA of pre-phylloxera Cabernet Sauvignon, developing a ‘Chilean Clone’ resistant to both climate change and modern pests. This initiative was also designed to secure a legacy for Héctor Espinoza’s son, overseeing the development of the ‘San Rosendo Clone of Cabernet Sauvignon’ and ensuring royalties from the vines to support future generations. "This genetic material" Morales explains "… will not only be heavily researched but also prepared to meet the evolving challenges of Cabernet Sauvignon cultivation worldwide."

“This certainly isn’t just about Chile, as a leading wine producing nation” Morales emphasises. “It’s about protecting one of the world’s most iconic grape varieties for future generations. The legacy of San Rosendo owes much to the visionary French settlers who once created a thriving wine cluster here — a legacy that deserves to be rediscovered and celebrated.”

A Legacy Built on Cabernet Sauvignon

Chile’s Cabernet Sauvignon story began in the 19th century, but its global recognition surged in the late 20th century. Strategic collaborations such as Almaviva, between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Vi?a Concha y Toro, and investments in Apalta’s renowned terroir by the Lapostolle family, cemented Chile as a producer of premium wines.

From the celebrated terroirs of Maipo Valley to emerging regions like Cachapoal and Panquehue, Chile’s Cabernets have earned acclaim for their elegance and complexity. Prestigious wines such as those of Don Melchor, Vi?edo Chadwick and Domus Aurea?exemplify the country’s mastery of this variety.

Reshaping the Future of Cabernet Sauvignon

Chile refuses to rest on its laurels. In renowned regions like Colchagua, producers such as Neyen and Lapostolle continue to craft terroir-driven expressions that highlight the unique characteristics of their soils and climate. Meanwhile, trailblazers in Cachapoal and Curicó are pushing the boundaries of winemaking with innovative blends that challenge tradition.?Whereas, in cooler, high-altitude regions, Morales and his team collaborate with nearby producers to develop resilient vines, leveraging Chile's unique geography and genetic diversity.

“Chile’s phylloxera-free status has preserved Vitis Vinifera in its purest form” Morales explains. “This is a genetic treasure that the global wine industry urgently needs to protect and make the very most of.”

A Catalyst for Global Change

True to his forward-thinking approach, Morales’ vision reaches beyond Cabernet Sauvignon. In San Rosendo, a historic region of the Bío Bío Valley, he collaborates with local wine families to rescue centenarian vines of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and País. This proactive effort showcases how Chile’s ancient vineyards can address modern viticultural challenges.

Global attention is following suit. From Sogrape’s acquisition of Chateau Los Boldos to the growing interest in Chile’s cooler southern regions, the world increasingly acknowledges the country’s critical role in shaping the future of viticulture.

The Genetic Guardian of Chilean Vines

In 2017, Morales delivered a groundbreaking lecture at UC Davis’ Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science titled ‘History of Ancient Cultivars in Chile: Old Vine Rescue Projects.’ Addressing an audience of esteemed academics, winemakers and journalists — including Cyril Penn of Wine Business and viticulture expert Andy Walker — Morales emphasised the urgency of developing a new clone from ancestral European vines discovered in San Rosendo and other parts of Chile. His vision aimed to safeguard the genetic and financial legacy of families like the Espinozas, who have cultivated Cabernet Sauvignon for generations.

The lecture, accompanied by a tasting of wines from extreme regions and old vine rescue initiatives, generated significant interest. Among those inspired by Morales’ work was Dr José Vouillamoz, co-author of Wine Grapes with Jancis Robinson MW OBE. Vouillamoz expressed a desire to collaborate, further enhancing the international credibility of the project. “Max Morales is the Genetic Guardian of Chilean vine genetics” remarked local producers — a testament to his tireless dedication to preserving and advancing Chile’s viticultural heritage over the past two decades. His work has also received strong backing from Chile’s Innovation Agency, CORFO.

Between January and May 2024, he served as Senior Project Manager for Wine Innova Tech, an international seminar series supported by the Comité de Desarrollo Productivo de Valparaíso and CORFO. This initiative addressed climate change challenges in the Valparaíso Region and a key highlight was the discovery of a vine dating back to 1650, opening a new frontier of research and preservation efforts in the years ahead.

Chile’s Call to Action

As climate change reshapes the global wine landscape, Chile’s combination of genetic resources, innovative projects and unwavering vision positions it as a leader in the quest to safeguard Cabernet Sauvignon. Morales’ mission to develop a ‘Chilean Clone’ could feasibly redefine sustainability in viticulture and cement Chile’s place as a global force in wine innovation.

“Chile has all the tools to lead a viticultural revolution” acknowledges Morales “.. and the time to act is now!”

For more insights on Chile’s innovative wine projects, please contact Max directly on:?[email protected]?| +569 3251 7848.

Originally posted in WineBusiness.com: https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/295971