Chilean vineyards in the northern areas of Elqui and Limari are being left to die because winemakers are unable to irrigate them due to the terrible droughts experienced in the region, recent reports say.
Vignerons have to decide which parts of their plots to keep and which they must leave.
Elqui’s fruit production is said to be down by some 45 per cent while Limari is down by about 80 per cent.
This has happened mainly in the valley’s high zones, and the change in weather is forcing winemakers to plant additional new vines in areas further south.