Latest news with #Mapuche
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Yahoo
How a mountaintop Chilean winery is harnessing the earth's energy to disrupt the global wine market
The origin story of Stonevik—the latest introduction from VIK Winery, a pioneering winery neighbored by its sister hotel in central Chile—is rooted some 3,000 feet above sea level, in a mountaintop forest between the Andes and the Pacific, amidst a circle of century-old oak trees. Here, in amphorae handcrafted from clay sourced from the Vik estate and half-buried in the earth, the wine ages, untouched by human hands—culminating in a literally groundbreaking blend Vik bills as 'the ultimate natural wine, crafted by nature, in nature.' Stonevik marks a new milestone in Vik's quest to become one of the world's most renowned wineries—a passion project that began in 2004 when its owners, Norwegian investor and entrepreneur Alexander Vik and his wife, Carrie, embarked on a wildly ambitious mission. 'We put together a scientific team with the objective of finding one of the best terroirs in the world, to make some of the best Bordeaux-style red wines in the world,' says Alexander Vik. That epic two-year search ultimately led to the Millahue Valley, nestled in the foothills of the Andes within the greater Cachapoal Valley, a hundred miles south of Santiago. In 2006, the Viks purchased an 11,000-acre swath of virgin wilderness there called Lugar de Oro ('Golden Place') by the area's indigenous Mapuche people—perhaps a reference to how the rose-hued horizon shimmers just above the surrounding hills at dusk. More than two decades since the seeds of the Viks' idea were first sown, this enchanting hinterland has steadily evolved into an oenophile's Xanadu, seemingly worlds away from civilization, where winemaking, art, and architecture converge with exuberant nature. The addition of Stonevik to Vik's award-winning lineup gives wine lovers another reason to visit. Vik's terroir encompasses a pristine landscape composed of 12 valleys, each with its own microclimate and distinct exposures, and all cooled by Pacific coastal breezes and winds from high in the Andes. With the expert guidance of chief winemaker Cristián Vallejo, whom the Viks hired to oversee Vik's viticulture and viniculture, a thousand acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot were planted. 'We knew that this terroir was truly exceptional,' Alexander Vik continues, 'and that if we did things correctly, we could produce wines that would enter the pantheon of the world's great wines.' The next order of business was to build a winery. In 2007, the Viks launched a global competition to tap the brightest minds in the business; renowned Chilean architect, Smiljan Radic, won with an avant-garde design that minimizes impact on the landscape and champions sustainability. The white stretched-fabric roof resembles a wing, whose translucence eschews the need for artificial light in the daytime. A sloping plaza fronts the entrance, where running water trickles toward the glass-walled building beneath a striking river rock installation, naturally cooling the cellar below. Walkways crosshatch the sprawling space, immersing visitors in a stunning tableau that is both organic and otherworldly. Inside, most of the building lies underground to maximize natural insulation and conserve energy. Rows of amber-lit barrels stacked three high flank an aisle leading to the tasting room, where an accent wall displays a mélange of gold-toned metal shards that appear to hover in midair like a grand mobile, an arresting homage to the Mapuche's moniker for the region's natural grandeur. The winery's light footprint dovetails with Vik's holistic winemaking philosophy. Guided by a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship, Vik embraced a virtually no-intervention approach from the outset, using only native yeasts and no additives or filtration. All grapes are harvested at night, when they're at their lowest temperature, to preserve their quality and acidity. These measures (and many others) ensure the purest expression of Vik's terroir. In 2014—a year before Vik's first commercial wine, a 2010 vintage of its eponymous flagship blend, entered the market—VIK Chile opened its doors, completing Vik's metamorphosis into a world-class escape. (The Viks opened their first hotel, Estancia Vik, in Uruguay in 2009; the Vik Retreats portfolio now includes two other Uruguayan outposts and a hotel in Milan.) Perched on a hill with panoramic views of the winery, the vineyards, and the valley beyond, the luxury hotel—whose free-form bronzed titanium roof seems to undulate in the unrelenting sun—is arguably the country's most iconic getaway, and a dazzling complement to the winery. Contemporary art, the Viks' other prevailing passion, informs every inch of the hotel. The couple recruited a slew of artists to design the 22 themed suites, whose floor-to-ceiling windows frame Millahue's jaw-dropping vistas. 'Vicky Money' features a bathroom adorned with 50,000 one-euro-cent coins, while a replica of Dali's iconic Mae West 'Lips' sofa commands attention in 'Valenzuela,' a riot of color with a Mondrian-inspired floor. A central courtyard—where a Zen garden presides over a border of vibrant blooms—celebrates the natural world, and common spaces showcase unique works by artists including German painter and sculptor Anselm Kiefer and Chilean painter Roberto Matta. Puro Vik, a collection of seven stand-alone glass bungalows with themes ranging from holographic art to 18th-century France, and with bathrooms that each feature a different marble, comprise the newest accommodations. Vik's vintages join forces with elevated cuisine at Milla Milla, the hotel's glass-walled signature restaurant, where dishes like grilled red octopus with potato foam and duck magret with blueberry sauce earn raves. La Huerta, an alfresco eatery in the property's two-acre organic garden, makes an idyllic lunch spot, thanks to plates beautifully composed of 250 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and eggs, topped with edible flowers. Activities like horseback rides through the vineyards and birdwatching walks along mountain trails can be easily arranged for guests—a well-heeled, international mix of couples, families, and wine enthusiasts—while winery tours and tastings loom large in the Vik experience. Since Vik's founding, the endlessly complex, ever-evolving relationship between wine and nature has fueled its winemaking—an ongoing journey most recently manifested in Stonevik. In 2018, Vik became an entirely circular winery, meaning every element used in its production comes from the property—including its barrels, which were previously sourced from France. Winemaker Vallejo began crafting Vik's own barrels with French oak staves, toasting them with 300-year-old Chilean oak that had fallen within the reserve to integrate the terroir directly into the wood—a process he dubbed 'barroir.' In 2023, he approached the Viks with an idea to take the circular concept a step further. 'Circular wine normally means growing and harvesting grapes on your land and aging the wine in your winery, but no one had yet returned to nature to close the circle,' he recalls. 'I suggested we create a wine and take it in amphorae up to the forest, to let it be their guardian and help us age it.' Intrigued, the Viks agreed. When Vallejo happened upon the ring of oak trees—a relative anomaly in nature—during his search for the perfect location for this new venture, he felt an energy he couldn't identify. He summoned a geologist to investigate what, if anything, was happening below ground; the geologist subsequently determined that a fault line intersected with a water vein in the circle's center. That nexus created a natural electromagnetic field that generates a kind of circular pulse, which Vallejo says explains the trees' unusual growth. He then consulted a machi (a traditional healer in Mapuche culture), who identified the energy point's exact location with no knowledge of the geologist's findings; and an astronomer, who advised how best to arrange the amphorae within the circle to optimally align with the sun, moon, and stars. After a month in Vik's 'barroir' barrels, the wine—a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère—rests in seven amphorae in the forest enclave until December 21, the summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, when it is bottled and ready for sale. Annual production is limited to 800 cases, given the small capacity of its unique aging process. Stonevik joins three other flagship wines—Vik (its premier blend), Milla Cala, and La Piu Belle—in Vik's production. Its 2023 and 2024 vintages each earned 98 points from leading wine critic James Suckling—a notable achievement for a wine aged less than one year with no intervention. As for the future, Alexander Vik is optimistic. 'We're way ahead of our expected timeline for the vineyard and the winemaking,' he says. 'Each vintage is better than the prior one, as the vines become more established and more capable.' Vallejo's take befits an unlikely tale that began in an untouched, aureate wilderness, and that continues to unfold. 'I think of our wines as a book: Every glass is a chapter, every sip is a page,' he says. 'They really tell the story of this terroir. When you connect with our wines, you can follow this story, and in every glass—every sip—you feel something different.' This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
Newsweek
07-07-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
More Explosive Volcanoes Expected As Glaciers Melt
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Melting glaciers may be setting the stage for more frequent and explosive volcanic eruptions in the future. This is the conclusion of a study of six volcanoes in the Chilean Andes, which is being presented at the Goldschmidt Conference in Prague this week. Analysis indicates that hundreds of dormant volcanoes currently buried under glacial ice across the globe—particularly in Antarctica—could become more active as climate change accelerates glacier retreat. The connection between retreating glaciers and increased volcanic activity has been known in Iceland since the 1970s. However, the latest study is the first one to explore the phenomenon in continental volcanic systems and helps scientists better understand and predict volcanic activity in glacier-covered regions. Pablo Moreno-Yaeger from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who is presenting the research at the conference, said in a statement: "Our study suggests this phenomenon isn't limited to Iceland, where increased volcanicity has been observed, but could also occur in Antarctica. Other continental regions, like parts of North America, New Zealand and Russia, also now warrant closer scientific attention." Pablo Moreno-Yaeger is collecting samples near the caldera of Mocho-Choshuenco, which the researchers dated at 11,500 years ago. "Mocho" means "headless" in Mapuche language, referring to the caldera that is always covered by ice. Pablo Moreno-Yaeger is collecting samples near the caldera of Mocho-Choshuenco, which the researchers dated at 11,500 years ago. "Mocho" means "headless" in Mapuche language, referring to the caldera that is always covered by ice. Pablo Moreno-Yaeger / UW-Madison In their study, researchers used argon dating and crystal analysis across six volcanoes in southern Chile, including the now dormant Mocho-Choshuenco volcano, to observe how the Patagonian Ice Sheet's advance and retreat previously impacted volcanic behavior. The scientists were able to track how the weight and pressure of glacial ice changes the characteristics of magma—an extremely hot liquid rock mixture found under the Earth's surface, known as lava when it flows onto the Earth's surface—by ascertaining the dates of previous eruptions and analyzing crystals in erupted rocks. Their investigations showed that thick ice cover suppressed the volume of eruptions and allowed a large reservoir of silica-rich magma to accumulate around 32,800 to 49,200 feet below the surface during the height of the last ice age, which is nearly 26,000 to 18,000 years ago. The ice sheet melted rapidly at the end of the last ice age and this sudden loss of weight caused the crust to relax and gasses in the magma to expand. The volcano was formed as a result of this pressure buildup, which caused explosive volcanic eruptions from the deep reservoir. "Glaciers tend to suppress the volume of eruptions from the volcanoes beneath them. But as glaciers retreat due to climate change, our findings suggest these volcanoes go on to erupt more frequently and more explosively," Moreno-Yaeger explained. He added: "The key requirement for increased explosivity is initially having a very thick glacial coverage over a magma chamber, and the trigger point is when these glaciers start to retreat, releasing pressure—which is currently happening in places like Antarctica." While the volcanic response to glacial melting is nearly instant in geological terms, the process of changes in the magma system is gradual, taking place over centuries, which allows some time for monitoring and early warning. The scientists warn that heightened volcanic activity could have global climate impacts. In the short run, eruptions release tiny particles in gases, known as aerosol, that can temporarily cool the planet . This occurred after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which dropped global temperatures by about 0.5 degrees Celsius. However, multiple eruptions can see the effects be reversed. Moreno-Yaeger said: "Over time the cumulative effect of multiple eruptions can contribute to long-term global warming because of a buildup of greenhouse gases. "This creates a positive feedback loop, where melting glaciers trigger eruptions, and the eruptions in turn could contribute to further warming and melting," he added. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about glaciers, volcanoes or climate change? Let us know via science@
See - Sada Elbalad
23-06-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Technical malfunction in the plane: Belgian King and Queen postpone their visit to Chile
Amir haggag The Belgian newspaper Le Soir reported on Monday that the planned five-day visit of King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium to Chile has been postponed by 24 hours due to a technical malfunction in the government plane designated for the visit. The Belgian newspaper reported that a high-level Belgian delegation will accompany King Philippe and Queen Mathilde during the visit. The newspaper added that the nature of the problem has not yet been clarified, noting that this disruption will affect the travel schedule, but that the royal couple will return to Belgium next Friday as planned. The King was scheduled to meet later on Monday with a number of Chilean citizens who have sought refuge at the Belgian embassy in Santiago. The royal couple were also scheduled to visit the Mapuche community in the municipality of La Pintana, south of Santiago. It is noteworthy that the Mapuche are the largest indigenous group in Chile, constituting approximately 84% of the total indigenous population, or approximately 1.3 million people.... read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
08-05-2025
Chile Pavilion
Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Guide to Japan Global Exchange Travel May 9, 2025 A look at the Chile pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. The symbol of Chile's pavilion is a 242-square-meter geometric-patterned tapestry called makun . It is the creation of 200 weavers from indigenous Mapuche communities, who wove it by hand using traditional techniques. After its completion, it was sent by ship from Chile for a six-week voyage. Inside the pavilion, three screens introduce Chilean culture and the country's efforts at building a sustainable society. Visitors can try various liquors, including the grape-based spirit pisco , as well as seafood cuisine. The Chile pavilion is located in the Saving Lives zone. ( See the official map for details.) Chile marks its national day on Monday, May 12, at the Expo National Day Hall. The Chile Pavilion. (© ) (Originally published in Japanese. Reporting and text by Uchiyama Ken'ichi and . Photographic assistance by Kuroiwa Masakazu of 96-Box. Banner photo © .) Osaka Kansai Expo
The Guardian
09-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Mantras, meanders and mud: photos of the day
Shipping containers at the Port Jersey container terminal form a block of colour against the Manhattan skyline Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images The actor Julia Fox attends this year's Fashion Trust US awards Photograph: Frazer Harrison/WireImage Supporters of Julia Chuñir Catricura, known as Mapuche, protest against the disappearance of the 72-year-old Indigenous human rights activist in what her family say were suspicious circumstances Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Indigenous people march during the annual Free Earth camp, where they discuss rights, territorial protection and their role in the Cop30 climate summit, which will take place for the first time in the Amazon this year Photograph: Eraldo Peres/AP Police block crowds trying to reach the US embassy during a rally marking the Day of Valor, which honours Filipino service men and women who gave their lives, in opposition to the annual Balikatan joint military exercises set to be held this month Photograph: Rolex dela Peña/EPA Members of the guard of honor prepare for a welcome ceremony for Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez at the Presidential Palace Photograph: Luong Thai Linh/EPA Devotees from the Jain community take part in a mass recitation of a mantra on Vishwa Navkar Mahamantra Day Photograph: Uma Shankar Mishra/AFP/Getty Images Amid the polluted waters of the Buriganga River at Sadarghat in Old Dhaka, boatmen navigate small wooden boats, ferrying passengers past many of other anchored boats Photograph: Syed Mahabubul Kader/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock Young boys play in dry mud to cool themselves along the banks of the Yamuna River on a hot summer day in New Delhi Photograph: Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images Ukrainian servicemen fire a mobile MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) on the front line Photograph: Andriy Andriyenko/65th Mechanized Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces/AFP/Getty Images Palestinian rescuers check the site of an Israeli bombardment on a building in Gaza City's Shujaiyya neighbourhood while smoke from another strike billows in the background. The Israeli military said it targeted a senior Hamas militant, in a strike that Gaza's civil defence agency said hit a residential building, killing at least 20 people Photograph: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP/Getty Images An aerial view of the meanders of the Sakarya River located at the Karagol Plateau. The river originates in Central Anatolia and reaches the Black Sea Photograph: Seyit Konyali/Anadolu/Getty Images Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, visits Gloucester Ski and Snowboarding Centre Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA
