Norwegian ship owner Dan Odfjell has spent his life traveling the world and exploring new horizons. One of his voyages brought him to Chile in the 1980s. He discovered the Maipo Valley, where he fell in love with the beautiful scenery and the gorgeous dry climate. And at one particular fruit farm, it was love at first sight—and he decided to put down roots. This is where his lifelong dream of being a farmer came to life, and this was the start of the journey toward what is now Odfjell Vineyards.

Born in the heart of Santiago, Francisca Palacios did not always know she was destined to be a winemaker; quite the opposite as no one in her family came from wine. Yet as she was earning her degree in Agronomy at the Universidad de Chile, she discovered winemaking in an elective course and it was love at first sight.

During her studies she also completed harvests in Chilean wineries De Martino, Morandé and Odfjell and it was after finishing her thesis and degree in both Agronomy and Oenology that Arnaud Hereu, Director of Winemaking and Viticulture at Odfjell Vineyards, offered her a permanent position.

“My intent is to make wines without make-up; to show their natural beauty rather than hide behind a facade. My goal is authentic, fresh and vibrant wines”.

Heading now into her ninth harvest, she is a full believer in organic and biodynamic practices not as an end goal but as a tool to make better, authentic wines. She believes that biodynamic practices teaches us to observe at a higher consciousness; to see aspects we would have previously missed in our vines and grapes.

Now fully in charge of winemaking since 2019, Francisca wants to continue making wines that strive for harmony and balance.