Chilean Wine

The Spanish introduced wine making to Chile in 1548, however Silvestre Ochagavia is generally credited with being the first grower to introduce French varieties in the 1800’s. Bounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Andes, vast deserts and the Antarctic, Chile has the perfect geography for vine growing and wine making. Chile makes world-class cabernet sauvignon and has a range of wines that are better than almost anything else South America has to offer.

Chile’s vineyards are all phylloxera-free, meaning a Chilean wine grower can expect his vines to be healthy and productive for 100 years plus. During the 1980s and early 1990s, Chilean wineries began to update equipment and incorporate new technology while Chilean winemakers sought a better understanding of how to match vines to their environment. Pioneering growers are planting vineyards at higher altitudes and pushing the boundaries of long-recognised regions. Despite nearly 500 years of history, Chile's wine industry is still fresh and vibrant and consistently produces wines of outstanding character, quality and value.