Concha y Toro

Concha y Toro was founded in 1883 by Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro (who held the colonial Spanish title Marqués de Casa Concha through his family line) and his wife Emiliana Subercaseaux on family land at Pirque, on the southern edge of Santiago at the foot of the Andes. Don Melchor was a prominent Chilean statesman who served as Minister of Finance under President Aníbal Pinto in the 1870s and held additional senatorial and ministerial positions through the late 19th century. Upon retiring from politics, he turned to viticulture as a serious commercial project and brought French vine cuttings from Bordeaux pre-phylloxera, planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon at the Pirque estate alongside the support of a French oenologist who organised the operation in Bordeaux estate format. The Casillero del Diablo brand name traces to an apocryphal Don Melchor legend in which he spread rumours of a devil guarding the best bottles of his cellar to discourage theft; the legend was later marketed as a global brand and the Casillero del Diablo range commercially launched in 1966. The company incorporated as a stock company in 1923, and Concha y Toro became the first winery in the world to list shares on the New York Stock Exchange in 1994.

• Founded 1883 by Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro (Marqués de Casa Concha title; Minister of Finance under President Aníbal Pinto 1870s) and his wife Emiliana Subercaseaux at Pirque, Maipo
• Brought French vine cuttings from Bordeaux pre-phylloxera (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon) and a French oenologist who organised the operation in Bordeaux estate format
• Casillero del Diablo legend: Don Melchor spread rumours of a devil guarding the best cellar bottles to discourage theft; brand commercially launched 1966 and now distributed across 145+ countries
• Incorporated as stock company 1923; first winery in the world to list shares on New York Stock Exchange in 1994, cementing its status as a global wine business

Concha y Toro's scale operates at a level few global wine producers reach. The company controls more than 12,000 hectares of vineyards across Chile, Argentina, and the United States, with the Chilean footprint spanning the country's principal valleys from Limarí in the north through Casablanca, Maipo, Colchagua, Maule, and Bío-Bío in the south. International expansion through Trivento Bodegas (Argentina, founded 1996) in Mendoza and Bonterra Organic Estates (United States, acquired 2011 for approximately 238 million dollars from Brown-Forman) extends the operation beyond Chilean borders. Approximately 33 million cases ship annually to approximately 140 countries, with consolidated revenue reaching the billion-dollar range in recent years. Concha y Toro has been named World's Most Admired Wine Brand by Drinks International for 2011, 2012, and 2013, and World's Most Powerful Wine Brand by Intangible Business in 2014 and 2015; the Americas Most Admired Wine Brand designation has been awarded consecutively across multiple years through the 2010s. The 1994 NYSE listing remains a milestone in the wine industry's globalisation, with Concha y Toro retaining the distinction of being the first winery to trade publicly on the exchange.

• More than 12,000 hectares of vineyards across Chile, Argentina (Trivento, Mendoza, founded 1996), and the United States (Bonterra Organic Estates, acquired 2011 for approximately 238 million dollars from Brown-Forman)
• Chilean footprint spans Limarí, Casablanca, Maipo, Colchagua, Maule, and Bío-Bío valleys; approximately 33 million cases shipped annually to ~140 countries
• World's Most Admired Wine Brand (Drinks International) 2011, 2012, 2013; World's Most Powerful Wine Brand (Intangible Business) 2014, 2015
• 1994 NYSE listing remains a milestone in wine industry globalisation; Concha y Toro retains distinction as first winery to trade publicly on the New York Stock Exchange

Don Melchor is the company's flagship and Chile's most decorated icon wine by critical standards. The wine traces to 1987 as Concha y Toro's first ultra-premium release and the first to be aged in French oak barriques; named for the founder, it is sourced from a 127-hectare vineyard in Puente Alto on the third alluvial terrace of the Maipo River's northern bank at approximately 650 metres elevation. The vineyard is divided into seven primary parcels and 151 micro-plots, each fermented and aged independently before final blending. The 1988 vintage became the first Chilean wine on Wine Spectator's Top 100, and Don Melchor has appeared on the list nine times with three placements in the Top 10. In November 2024, the 2021 vintage was named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year, the 35th vintage of the wine and the first Chilean wine ever to receive the honour at #1; the score of 96 points is the highest Wine Spectator has awarded any Chilean wine and has been matched by five Don Melchor vintages (2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2021). The 2018 vintage received 100 points from James Suckling. The 2021 blend was 93 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 4 percent Cabernet Franc, and 3 percent Merlot, aged 15 months in French oak (Allier, Tronçais, Nevers) with approximately 68 percent new barrels followed by an additional year of bottle aging before release. Winemaker Enrique Tirado has overseen Don Melchor since the 1997 harvest and works with Bordeaux consultant Eric Boissenot (son of Jacques Boissenot, who consulted on the inaugural 1987 vintage). Viña Don Melchor became a standalone entity within the Concha y Toro group in 2019, with Tirado serving as CEO and Technical Director.

• Don Melchor first vintage 1987, sourced from 127-ha Puente Alto vineyard at ~650 m elevation on Maipo River's third alluvial terrace; vineyard divided into 7 primary parcels and 151 micro-plots fermented and aged independently
• 1988 vintage was the first Chilean wine on Wine Spectator's Top 100; 9 total appearances with 3 Top 10 placements; 2021 vintage named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year 2024 (96 points), first Chilean wine to receive the honour at #1
• 2021 blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot; aged 15 months in French oak (Allier, Tronçais, Nevers) with ~68% new barrels and an additional year of bottle aging before release
• Winemaker Enrique Tirado has overseen Don Melchor since 1997 harvest with Bordeaux consultant Eric Boissenot; Viña Don Melchor became standalone entity within the Concha y Toro group in 2019

The Almaviva joint venture extends the premium portfolio into the Franco-Chilean grand cru tier. Conversations between Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (Chairman of the Advisory Board of Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, owner of Château Mouton Rothschild) and the Guilisasti family of Concha y Toro began around 1995, with the partnership formally signed in 1997 between Baroness Philippine and Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle. The 50/50 model echoed the Rothschilds' earlier Napa partnership with Robert Mondavi (Opus One, founded 1979) and was structured around a single Cabernet Sauvignon-led Bordeaux blend from a dedicated 65-hectare Puente Alto vineyard plus 14 hectares of Carménère from Peumo in Cachapoal Valley. The inaugural 1996 vintage was harvested before the partnership was signed and commercially launched in 1998 via La Place de Bordeaux, becoming the first non-Bordeaux wine ever offered through the historic négociant network. The bodega, designed by Chilean architect Martín Hurtado, was built in 1998 and inaugurated in 2000 with an undulating roof simulating the silhouette of the Andes Mountains. Almaviva has received 100-point scores from James Suckling for the 2015 and 2017 vintages, with the 2017 named his Wine of the Decade in 2020 from more than 100,000 wines tasted across the preceding ten years. The second wine Epu (Mapuche for 'two') has been distributed internationally via La Place de Bordeaux from the 2019 vintage.

• Partnership signed 1997 between Baroness Philippine de Rothschild (Baron Philippe de Rothschild SA, owner of Château Mouton Rothschild) and Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle of Concha y Toro; 50/50 joint venture echoing Opus One Napa model (1979)
• Inaugural 1996 vintage harvested before partnership signing; commercially launched 1998 via La Place de Bordeaux as first non-Bordeaux wine ever in the historic négociant network
• 65-hectare Puente Alto vineyard plus 14 hectares Carménère from Peumo; Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend; Martín Hurtado-designed bodega built 1998 inaugurated 2000
• James Suckling 100 points for 2015 and 2017 vintages; 2017 named Wine of the Decade 2020; Epu second wine internationally distributed via La Place de Bordeaux from 2019 vintage

Concha y Toro's international operations span three subsidiaries with distinct identities. Cono Sur, founded 1993 in Chimbarongo (Colchagua Valley) as an independently operated subsidiary, built its identity around Pinot Noir, cool-climate viticulture, and environmental leadership. Cono Sur was the first winery in the world to obtain CarbonNeutral delivery status in 2007 and achieved B Corp certification in 2017; the operation manages 1,246 hectares across 10 estates in eight Chilean valleys with 314 hectares certified organic. Trivento Bodegas, established 1996 in Mendoza, Argentina, has become a major Argentine producer with Malbec at its core and the Eolo single-vineyard Malbec at the premium tier; the brand is one of the leading Argentine wine exports globally. Bonterra Organic Estates (formerly Fetzer Vineyards) was acquired by Concha y Toro in 2011 for approximately 238 million dollars from Brown-Forman; the operation is the leading certified organic vineyard owner in the United States and Bonterra was named American Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2016. Together with the core Chilean operations spanning Maipo, Colchagua, Casablanca, Limarí, Maule, and Bío-Bío, the three international subsidiaries give Concha y Toro the broadest premium-and-volume portfolio in Latin American wine.

• Cono Sur (founded 1993, Chimbarongo, Colchagua Valley): Pinot Noir specialist; first winery in the world with CarbonNeutral delivery status 2007; B Corp certified 2017; 1,246 ha across 10 estates in 8 Chilean valleys with 314 ha certified organic
• Trivento Bodegas (founded 1996, Mendoza, Argentina): major Argentine producer with Malbec at the core; Eolo single-vineyard Malbec at premium tier; among the leading Argentine wine exports globally
• Bonterra Organic Estates (acquired 2011 from Brown-Forman for ~$238M, formerly Fetzer Vineyards): leading certified organic vineyard owner in the United States; American Winery of the Year (Wine Enthusiast) 2016
• Core Chilean operations span Maipo (Pirque headquarters), Colchagua, Casablanca, Limarí, Maule, and Bío-Bío valleys; broadest premium-and-volume portfolio in Latin American wine

Concha y Toro's portfolio spans a clearly defined quality pyramid from accessible value to ultra-premium flagship. Casillero del Diablo (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc; entry-icon tier launched 1966) is the company's largest brand, with the Cabernet Sauvignon alone producing approximately 5.5 million cases annually across 145+ countries. The Reservado tier sits below Casillero del Diablo for emerging markets. Trio (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Chardonnay) extends the accessible tier with three-grape blends. Marques de Casa Concha (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Syrah, Chardonnay) anchors the mid-premium single-varietal tier, with Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Puente Alto and Pirque parcels in Maipo Alto. Carmín de Peumo Carménère from the Peumo sub-zone of Cachapoal Valley sits at the premium varietal Carménère tier. Amelia Chardonnay from Limarí Valley anchors the premium cool-climate white tier. The flagship single-vineyard premium tier is Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto; the joint-venture flagship is Almaviva from Puente Alto and Peumo. The Bonterra Estates and Trivento ranges extend the portfolio into US organic and Argentine Malbec respectively.

• Entry-icon tier: Casillero del Diablo (Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc; launched 1966; ~5.5M cases annually for Cabernet Sauvignon alone)
• Mid-premium tier: Trio (three-grape blends), Marques de Casa Concha (single-varietal from Puente Alto and Pirque Maipo Alto parcels for Cabernet Sauvignon)
• Premium varietal tier: Carmín de Peumo Carménère from Cachapoal Peumo; Amelia Chardonnay from Limarí Valley anchors premium cool-climate white
• Flagship single-vineyard premium tier: Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto; joint-venture flagship: Almaviva (Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Bordeaux blend from Puente Alto and Peumo)