Vina Calina Cabernet Sauvignon

Vina Calina Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile's Maule Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Calina LTDA. in Talca using California-trained winemaking techniques developed through the estate's partnership with Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates, this bottling earned Bronze medals at both the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the Decanter World Wine Awards for its 2006 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Maule Valley, Chile  |  100% Cabernet Sauvignon  |  Producer: Calina LTDA., Talca

Production & Heritage

Calina LTDA. operates from Talca in Chile's Maule Valley, drawing fruit from several Central Valley sub-regions including Maipo, Rapel, Curicó, and Maule. The winemaking program was shaped by Randy Ullom, a veteran Kendall-Jackson winemaker who brought California viticultural standards to the Chilean operation — including rigorous practices such as winter pruning, shoot suckering, fruit thinning, and green drop. Grapes are harvested entirely by hand, cold-soaked for three days to extract soft tannins, color, and flavor, then fermented and transferred to a combination of French and American oak barrels. This cross-hemisphere approach — Californian winemaking philosophy applied to Chilean terroir — distinguishes Calina from many peers at this price tier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Wild berry and cassis lead the nose, followed by herbal, olive, and peppery notes. Deeper sniffs reveal cedar and a hint of wet earth that adds complexity.

Taste: The entry is fresh and juicy with red plum and blackberry fruit. Mid-palate, cedar, tobacco leaf, and a peppery spice build over a round, smooth texture. Cola and subtle mocha from oak aging emerge toward the peak, adding density without heaviness.

Finish: Medium in length with clean, lightly tannic grip and lingering notes of dark fruit and oak-driven mocha. The close is straightforward and refreshing, encouraging another sip.

How to Drink Vina Calina Cabernet

This Cabernet drinks well at a light cellar temperature around 60–65°F, where its fruit expression and oak nuances are most balanced. It also performs reliably in wine-forward cocktails. A Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) plays off the wine's own cola and berry notes for a casual warm-weather drink. A New York Sour benefits from the Cabernet's juicy acidity and dark fruit profile layered over bourbon. A simple red wine sangria with sliced stone fruit and a touch of brandy highlights the blackberry and spice character.

Best For

• Weeknight grilled steak dinners that call for a reliable, food-friendly red
• Introducing someone to Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon without a steep investment
• Stocking a house red for casual entertaining and dinner parties
• Building a comparative tasting of New World Cabernet Sauvignons across regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Vina Calina Cabernet taste like? It delivers fresh, juicy blackberry and red plum fruit with supporting notes of cedar, tobacco, cola, and a touch of mocha from oak aging. The palate is round and smooth with moderate tannins and a clean finish.

How does Vina Calina Cabernet compare to Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon? Both are accessible Chilean Cabernets from established Central Valley producers, but Vina Calina's connection to Kendall-Jackson introduces California-influenced winemaking techniques like an extended cold soak and dual French-American oak aging. Santa Rita's entry-level Cabernet tends toward a more traditionally Chilean fruit-forward style with slightly less oak complexity.

Is Vina Calina Cabernet good for sipping on its own? Yes — the wine's balance of ripe fruit, moderate tannins, and clean acidity makes it an approachable choice for casual sipping, though it truly shines alongside grilled or roasted meats.

Where is Vina Calina Cabernet made? It is produced by Calina LTDA. in Talca, Chile, within the Maule Valley of Chile's broader Central Valley wine region. Fruit is sourced from multiple sub-regions including Maipo, Rapel, Curicó, and Maule.

What foods pair well with Vina Calina Cabernet? Grilled red meats — particularly flank steak or skirt steak — complement the wine's peppery spice and tannin structure. Lamb chops with rosemary echo its herbal undertones. Aged cheddar or Manchego cheese mirror the cedar and tobacco complexity. A slow-roasted pork shoulder benefits from the wine's acidity and dark fruit. Black bean dishes or empanadas align well with the wine's earthy, savory side.

What sizes does Vina Calina Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Vina Calina Cabernet worth the price? It positions squarely as an entry-level Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, and the hand-harvesting, cold-soak extraction, and French-American oak aging program represent genuine production investment uncommon at this value tier.

Why Vina Calina Cabernet?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of budget Chilean Cabernet is its production pedigree. The Kendall-Jackson partnership brought Randy Ullom's Californian winemaking discipline — including rigorous canopy management and a dedicated three-day cold soak — to Maule Valley fruit, resulting in a wine that punches above its price class. Bronze medals at both the San Francisco International Wine Competition and the Decanter World Wine Awards confirm the consistency of that approach. For anyone seeking a dependable, oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon that delivers genuine varietal character without pretension, this bottling consistently delivers on that promise.