Frequently Asked Questions

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Who are we at Macatho?

We are Macarena del Río (a Chilean-French winemaker) and Thomas Parayre, a French-Chilean duo who started this project in 2016 near Chillán, in the Itata Valley. We work with old vines (many of them over 100 years old), mainly from local farmers, recovering heritage varieties such as País, Moscatel, Chasselas, Carignan, Cinsault, and others. Our wines are natural, with no additives or makeup, and minimal intervention.

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What does it mean for your wines to be “natural”?

It means we make them from organically farmed grapes (no synthetic pesticides or herbicides), with spontaneous fermentations using native yeasts, no added sulfites (or only minimal amounts when strictly necessary for stability), and no fining agents or stabilizers. We aim for the wine to express the terroir and the vintage exactly as it comes from the vineyard.

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Where are your vineyards located?

We work mainly in the Itata Valley (near Chillán, San Nicolás, Ranquil, etc.) and also in parts of Maule and Bío Bío. The vines are old—many planted between 1900 and 1920—on granitic, clay, or weathered granitic soils, with Mediterranean influence and, in some cases, relative proximity to the ocean.

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Which varieties do you produce?

Mainly ancestral and traditional varieties from central-southern Chile:

• País (the great protagonist)

• Moscatel de Alejandría

• Chasselas

• Chardonnay

• Carignan, Cinsault, Garnacha, Mourvèdre (to a lesser extent)

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Why do some wines have cloudiness or sediments?

Because we do not filter or fine the wines. Cloudiness and natural sediments are normal in minimally interventionist wines and are a sign of authenticity. If you see something in the bottle, simply decant it or give it a gentle shake before serving.

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How should I store and serve Macatho wines?

• Store them in a cool (12–16 °C), dark place without vibrations.

• Most of our reds and orange wines are best enjoyed slightly chilled (14–16 °C).

• Whites and rosés between 8–12 °C.

• Open the bottle in advance or decant if it seems very reduced upon opening (quite common in natural wines with no or very low sulfites).

Do you add sulfites?

The vast majority of our wines have no added sulfites (levels usually range from 0–20 mg/L from natural formation). In exceptional cases, we may add a minimal dose before bottling to ensure stability for export, but we always indicate this on the back label when it happens.

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Can I visit the winery or buy directly?

At the moment we do not offer regular guided visits or direct sales at the winery, as we are a very small, artisanal project. Our wines are available through specialized natural wine shops, restaurants, and some distributors in Chile and abroad. You can write to us via Instagram (@agricolamacatho) or the contact form to find out where to get them near you.

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Do you ship to homes within Chile?

We do not currently offer direct shipping from the website. We recommend contacting the online or local stores that carry our wines (list available in the “Where to Buy” section).

Are they suitable for vegans/vegetarians? Yes, all our wines are vegan- and vegetarian-friendly, as we do not use animal-derived fining agents (such as gelatin, casein, or egg albumin).

What are some of your best-known wines called? Some of the most loved ones include:

• Toca Tierra (País)

• Segundo Flores (País)

• Cuchufli (País + Moscatel)

• Chacha (Chasselas + Chardonnay)

• Chimiltito

• Fresa Grossa

• Pedro JR

• Tinajacura

• Caña Dulce

• María Rosé

• Falta Schuko

Can I collaborate with Macatho or sell your wines at my venue?

Of course! Write to us directly by email or Instagram. We are open to talking with specialized shops, restaurants, and distributors who share the philosophy of living, honest wines.

If you have any other questions not covered here, feel free to write to us. Cheers and thank you for supporting peasant and natural wine!

(Agrícola Macatho – Itata & Maule, Chile)