Planting vines in Machu Picchu: the new El Dorado?

Known for its Inca city laid out in terraces, its mountain scenery and literally breathtaking treks (2,430 metres at the summit), Machu Picchu could be the site of wine growing in coming years, according to Aurelio Montes.  The Chilean winemaker has told Decanter magazine about his project to plant vines on the eastern slope of the Andes. Planting will soon begin on an experimental basis in the sacred valley, with a thousand Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah vines. "We're not even certain that the vine stock will survive", says Aurelio Montes, "we could have fabulous results or be grubbing up the vines in two years time."  In the best case scenario, this vineyard could extend over 5 hectares.

Having founded Viña Montes with Douglas Murray in 1987, Aurelio Montes created the first Chilean "super premium" wine (cuvée Montes Alpha M). He also has domaines in Argentina (Kaiken in Mendoza) in the U.S (Napa Angel and Star Angel in California), as well as a range intended to be unconventional in terms of its vineyard locations (Outer Limit). Situated in the upper basin of the Amazon, Machu Picchu ("old mountain" in Quechua) was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1983.

[Photo: UNESCO (Silvan Rehfeld)]