Mayu
The Olivier family started Viña Mayu in 2005 and was the first to bring premium winemaking to northern Chile’s Elqui Valley. They chose the name "Mayu" - the Inca word for the Milky Way's "river of stars" – to honor the valley’s renownfor having the world’s clearest atmosphere and being the best place on earth for astronomy research. The inspiration for Mayu was to transform the extreme landscape to its full potential and produce premium wines from an otherwise overlooked terroir.
Wines by Mayu
Around the Winery
Extraordinary wines from the driest desert on earth - experience the clear skies and high elevations of Chile’s Elqui Valley with every sip of Mayu.
Giorgio Flessati, Viticulturalist (LEFT)
Born in Trento, Italy, Giorgio comes from a long line of viticulturists and is hailed as one of the top viticulturists around the world. He graduated in Oenology from San Michele all’Adige, the celebrated wine academy near his home town. Through the years he has consulted and worked for various esteemed wineries in Italy, France, and Australia.
In 2004, his good friend and cousin Mauro Olivier approached him to collaborate on a new project called Mayu, which is the first winery to be established in the Elqui valley of Chile.
Mauro Olivier Alcayaga, Owner (RIGHT)
Mauro was born and raised in Elqui valley after his parents decided to move to Chile from northern Italy in the 1950’s. He found his passion for winemaking during his summer breaks in middle school, when he helped his family’s fruit business. This experience brought him important knowledge of the soils, vines, and how to grow the best grapes in the Elqui valley. He eventually joined forces with his father’s cousin and winemaker, Giorgio Flessati, who was then making wine in Italy. Mauro was the pioneer of planting fine wine grapes in the Elqui valley in 2000 with his first Carmenere and Syrah plantings.