Producer
Capel
Capel is the main brand of Cooperativa Agrícola Pisquera Elqui Limitada, a Chilean cooperative leading in pisco production; it offers a range of piscos (including labels such as Moai Reservado and Especial Doble Destilado) and related products such as ready-to-drink cocktails and other spirits.
- Vicuña · Elqui Valley, Coquimbo Region (also present in Atacama) · Chile
- Since 1938
- 3 products
The story
The company began as an association of producers in northern Chile and later consolidated as Cooperativa Agrícola Pisquera Elqui Limitada (CAPEL). The organization brings together hundreds of vine growers from the Elqui, Limarí, Copiapó, Huasco and Choapa valleys and developed the commercial brand "Capel". The cooperative has evolved by expanding its product range and international presence.
Production philosophy
Cooperative model and quality focus: CAPEL operates as a democratic cooperative that supports its members, promotes territorial sustainability practices and values Chilean pisco as a product of identity.
Territory
Elqui Valley (Coquimbo region) with production presence also in the Atacama and Coquimbo regions; headquarters in Vicuña.
Awards and recognition
The cooperative reports numerous international recognitions (between 2000 and 2017 more than 100 prizes are listed, with medals in competitions such as the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Concurso Mundial de Bruselas, Catad'Or and IWSC, according to official communications).
Production method
Production based on distillation of wine from pisquera grapes; some commercial expressions are indicated as "doble destilado" (double distillation). Commercial descriptions report the use of batch distillation ('batch still') for certain references.
Distillation
Distillation from grape wine; some products are marketed as 'doble destilado' (double distillation). Some technical sheets indicate 'batch still'.
Ageing
Generally unaged; for some expressions (e.g., certain 'Especial' versions) a short maturation in barrels is reported.
Characteristics
- Type
- Producer
- City
- Vicuña
- Categories
- Chilean pisco
- pisco reservado
- double-distilled pisco
- pisco cooperative
- ready-to-drink (pisco cocktails)
- Raw materials
- grape (Moscatel)
- grape (Italia)
- grape (Quebranta)
- grape (Pedro Ximénez)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- American oak
- Representative products
- Pisco Capel Especial Doble Destilado 70cl
- Pisco Capel Moai Reservado 1 Lt
- Pisco Capel Moai Reservado 70cl
- Pisco Capel Moai Reservado 70cl - ETICHETTA DANNEGGIATA
What makes it distinctive
- Main brand of Cooperativa Agrícola Pisquera Elqui Limitada, one of the largest players in Chilean pisco production.
- Commercial range includes well-known labels such as Moai Reservado and Especial Doble Destilado.
- Territorial presence in the pisco-producing valleys of northern Chile with headquarters in Vicuña.
- The cooperative declares more than 100 international awards (period 2000–2017 according to official communications).