<P> The small 1,098 hectare winegrowing area is well known for its red wines, which have earned international acclaim, with Vina Errázuriz's "Seña" placing ahead of both Château Lafite and Château Margaux in blind tasting held in Berlin in 2004, a milestone for the Chilean wine industry . Although the valley is primarily known for the red grapes grown in its interior, white grapes are also now being grown in new coastal plantations . </P> <Ul> <Li> The Casablanca Valley takes its name from the commune where it is located, and stretches roughly 30 km (19 mi) east - west from eastern border of the Valparaíso province in the Valparaíso region . </Li> </Ul> <Li> The Casablanca Valley takes its name from the commune where it is located, and stretches roughly 30 km (19 mi) east - west from eastern border of the Valparaíso province in the Valparaíso region . </Li> <P> Vines were first planted here in the mid-1980s during the revitalization of the Chilean wine industry and the area quickly became known for its white wines, most notably Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay, as well as Pinot noir, which thrives in its cooler climate . Although the valley is located at 33 ° S, much closer to the Equator than any European vineyard, viticulture here is possible because of the cooling influence of the Pacific ocean, in the shape of cool morning fog and greater cloud cover than is found elsewhere in the north of Chile . Free - draining clay and sandy soils, whilst good for viticulture, encourage nematodes, so grafting onto nematode - resistant rootstocks is common . </P>

Chile's first vines were planted by which of the following