CASA LAPOSTOLLE

Lapostolle is a spectacular winery overlooking the Apalta Vineyard in the Colchagua Valley in Chile. The Lapostolle vineyards in Alpalta are certified organic and biodynamic, though the wines are not labelled that way, as it is the grapes that are certified, not the winery.

In 2005 their iconic wine, Clos Apalta, made history as the first and, to date, only South American wine to be ranked No.1 in Wine Spectator’s celebrated Top 100 Wines.

20 years ago, the concept of women working high-level roles in wine, particularly in the context of Chile’s patriarch-inclined society, would have been unthinkable. Andrea León Iriate studied oenology and viticulture in Santiago before leaving Chile to gain experience in America, Europe and New Zealand.

Andrea joined Lapostolle in 2005 as the on-site winemaker for Clos Apalta. In 2020 she took charge of the technical and winemaking operations for Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle, a demanding job that involves extended periods of time apart from family.

Andrea León

The Chilean wine industry has undergone much change in the last fifteen to twenty years, its evolution not dissimilar to that of New Zealand’s. Over this time, Chile has made a name for itself on the world stage, recognised for wines sitting at both the value and the premium ends of the market. 20 years ago, the concept of women working high-level roles in wine, particularly in the context of Chile’s patriarchally-inclined society, would have been unthinkable. Andrea León Iriate studied agricultural engineering in Santiago, where she double majored in economics and oenology & viticulture. She eventually left Chile to gain vinous experience in America, Europe and New Zealand. On her return, Andrea worked at Santa Helena in Colchagua before joining Lapostolle in 2005 as the on-site winemaker for Clos Apalta. In 2020 she took charge of the technical and winemaking operations for Domaines Bournet-Lapostolle, a demanding job that involves extended periods of time apart from family. Lapostolle was founded by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, great-granddaughter of the creator of Grand Marnier, and her husband Cyril de Bournet. In 2005 their iconic wine, Clos Apalta, made history as the first and, to date, only South American wine to be ranked No.1 in Wine Spectator’s celebrated Top 100 Wines.