Cono Sur

Cono Sur was founded in 1993 by Concha y Toro as an independently operated winery with a clear mandate: produce premium, expressive, innovative wines that reflect Chile's diverse terroirs from a structure separate from the parent company's larger commercial portfolio. The name 'Cono Sur' means 'Southern Cone' in Spanish, referring to South America's southern geographic projection, and doubles as a play on the word 'connoisseur,' neatly capturing the winery's dual mission of accessible quality and serious wine credibility. Headquartered in Chimbarongo in the Colchagua Valley, Cono Sur operates with operational independence from the broader Concha y Toro premium portfolio (a structural model later replicated for Viña Don Melchor within the Concha y Toro group in 2019). From its founding, the winery distinguished itself through three pillars: creative use of technology, an uncompromising orientation toward quality at every price tier, and genuine respect for the environment. Cono Sur is the third-largest exporter of bottled wine in Chile by volume, distributing to over 90 countries while maintaining the specialist Pinot Noir and sustainability identity that defines the brand.

• Founded 1993 in Chimbarongo, Colchagua Valley, as a Concha y Toro subsidiary operated with full editorial independence; structural model later replicated for Viña Don Melchor within Concha y Toro group in 2019
• Name 'Cono Sur' references South America's Southern Cone geography and doubles as a play on 'connoisseur'; dual mission of accessible quality and serious wine credibility
• Three founding pillars: creative use of technology, uncompromising orientation toward quality at every price tier, genuine respect for the environment
• Third-largest exporter of bottled wine in Chile by volume; distributes to 90+ countries while maintaining specialist Pinot Noir and sustainability identity

Cono Sur was the first Chilean winery to produce and export premium Pinot Noir commercially, and Pinot Noir remains the single variety present across every tier of the portfolio, from Bicicleta through to Ocio. In 1999, the winery inaugurated a dedicated Pinot Noir winery in Chimbarongo and launched its formal Pinot Noir project, calling on Martin Prieur of Burgundy's Domaine Jacques Prieur (a prominent Côte de Beaune producer) to consult on Chilean terroir selection and vineyard management. The goal was to produce wines that were distinctively Chilean in origin but vinified using classical Burgundian methods, including indigenous yeast fermentation where appropriate, restrained French oak (with foudre aging at the 20 Barrels tier), and parcel-by-parcel selection. The project's crown jewel, Ocio, was released in 2003 and sources fruit from cool coastal sites, most notably the Casablanca Valley, where granitic soils and proximity to the Pacific Ocean preserve natural acidity and freshness. The 2021 vintage of Ocio was awarded a Master medal at the Global Pinot Noir Masters 2024, the highest possible award. A 530,000-litre premium Pinot cellar was added at Chimbarongo in 2009, expanding capacity for the project. Cono Sur produces approximately 4.5 million litres of Pinot Noir annually, ranking among the largest premium Pinot Noir producers globally by volume.

• First Chilean winery to produce and export premium Pinot Noir commercially; Pinot Noir appears in every range from Bicicleta to Ocio
• Pinot Noir project launched 1999 with dedicated Pinot Noir winery built at Chimbarongo same year; Martin Prieur of Burgundy's Domaine Jacques Prieur consulted on terroir selection and vineyard management
• Ocio flagship (first vintage 2003) sources from Casablanca Valley granitic soils with Pacific Ocean proximity; 2021 vintage Master medal at Global Pinot Noir Masters 2024
• 530,000-litre premium Pinot cellar added at Chimbarongo in 2009; ~4.5 million litres of Pinot Noir produced annually ranking among largest premium Pinot Noir producers globally by volume

Sustainability is woven into Cono Sur's founding philosophy rather than added as a marketing afterthought through the modern era. In 1998, the winery began transitioning from conventional farming to integrated vineyard management, replacing synthetic inputs with natural pest control methods including geese (for weed and pest control along vine rows), sheep (for ground cover management between rows), beneficial insects, and companion plants. In 1999, a formal organic viticulture project was launched on 40 hectares of Chimbarongo vineyards. After the mandatory three-year organic transition period, the winery produced its first certified organic wine in 2003, a Cabernet Sauvignon-Carménère blend certified by BCS Oeko Garantie GmbH Germany. The winery now manages 314 hectares of certified organic vineyards across the broader estate. In 2007, Cono Sur became the first winery in the world to obtain CarbonNeutral delivery status, measuring and offsetting carbon emissions throughout the supply chain from vineyard through to delivery. Further milestones include ISO 14064-1 certification in 2010 (first in the Americas), ISO 50001 (energy management) and OHSAS 18001 (occupational health and safety) certifications in 2014, and B Corp certification in 2017. The cumulative sustainability record stands among the most extensive of any commercial-scale Chilean wine producer.

• 1998 transition to integrated vineyard management using geese (weed and pest control along vine rows), sheep (ground cover between rows), beneficial insects, and companion plants in place of synthetic chemicals
• 1999 formal organic viticulture project launched on 40 hectares in Chimbarongo; 2003 first certified organic wine (Cabernet Sauvignon-Carménère, BCS Oeko Garantie GmbH Germany); 314 hectares certified organic today
• 2007: first winery in the world to obtain CarbonNeutral delivery status (measuring and offsetting carbon emissions throughout supply chain from vineyard to delivery)
• 2010 ISO 14064-1 certification (first in Americas); 2014 ISO 50001 (energy management) and OHSAS 18001 (occupational health and safety) certifications; 2017 B Corp certification

Cono Sur's technical courage has been as defining as its viticulture. In 1995, it became the first winery in South America to use synthetic corks, a decision that challenged the assumption that only natural cork signaled quality intent. In 2002, it went further, becoming the first Chilean winery to adopt screwcaps for aromatic white wines at a time when such closures were widely viewed as incompatible with serious wine production. The winery has since shifted most of its whites, rosés, and Pinot Noirs to screwcap based on performance evidence (specifically on oxidation prevention and freshness retention across long-distance shipping and extended bottle aging) rather than convention. This closure philosophy aligns with a broader technical identity: the main winery in Chimbarongo holds 12 million litres of capacity in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing precision fermentation management across an enormous volume of wine without compromising the house style. Decisions on closure, fermentation, vineyard practice, and yield management consistently prioritise technical evidence over tradition or commercial convention, an identity that has shaped both the affordable accessible Bicicleta tier and the icon Ocio Pinot Noir releases.

• First winery in South America to use synthetic corks (1995); challenged assumption that only natural cork signaled quality intent
• First Chilean winery to adopt screwcaps for aromatic white wines (2002); shift driven by performance evidence on oxidation prevention and freshness retention across long-distance shipping and extended bottle aging
• Most whites, rosés, and Pinot Noirs now under screwcap based on technical evidence rather than convention
• Main winery in Chimbarongo holds 12 million litres of capacity in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for precision fermentation management; technical evidence consistently prioritised over tradition across decisions

Cono Sur's portfolio operates on clearly defined tiers. Bicicleta (the entry-level line) is named for the bicycles vineyard workers use to travel between estate rows, with the cycling imagery on the label reflecting the winery's genuine vineyard culture. Bicicleta covers Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenère, Viognier, and others, offering varietal typicity at everyday prices across reds, whites, and rosé. The Reserva Especial tier sits above Bicicleta at a slight premium with longer aging. The Organic range offers certified organic expressions of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère, and others. Single Vineyard bottlings highlight individual estate blocks by valley, including Carmenère from Cachapoal, Syrah from Limarí, and Sauvignon Blanc from Casablanca. The 20 Barrels line is a premium barrel-aged selection aged 12 months in a combination of barriques and foudres, anchored by 20 Barrels Pinot Noir from San Antonio and Casablanca. At the apex sit two icon wines: Ocio, the flagship Pinot Noir from Casablanca, and Silencio, an icon Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Alto Maipo, first produced in 2010. Cono Sur also pioneered Viognier production and export from Chile and was among the first to produce Gewürztraminer; it was the first Chilean winery to label a Riesling with the Bío-Bío Valley Designation of Origin, exploring the cool southern reaches of Chilean viticulture.

• Bicicleta entry-level line named for bicycles vineyard workers use between estate rows; cycling imagery reflects genuine vineyard culture; covers Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenère, Viognier and others at everyday prices
• Organic range: certified organic Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère, and others; Single Vineyard line: Carmenère (Cachapoal), Syrah (Limarí), Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca)
• 20 Barrels premium barrel-aged selection (12 months in barriques and foudres) anchored by 20 Barrels Pinot Noir from San Antonio and Casablanca; Reserva Especial above Bicicleta at slight premium
• Two icon wines: Ocio (Pinot Noir from Casablanca, first vintage 2003), Silencio (Cabernet Sauvignon icon from Alto Maipo, first vintage 2010); Pinot Noir appears in every range; pioneered Viognier production and Bío-Bío Riesling DO labelling

Cono Sur's influence extends well beyond Chile's borders, with sustained critical recognition and commercial reach. The winery served as the official wine of the Tour de France in 2015, a partnership that significantly boosted the Bicicleta brand's visibility in Europe and underscored the playful cycling connection embedded in that label across vineyard culture and product identity. The Ocio Pinot Noir 2021 received the highest award, a Master medal, at the Global Pinot Noir Masters 2024, the most authoritative comparative award available in the premium Pinot Noir category. On the sustainability front, Cono Sur won Green Company of the Year 2011 from The Drinks Business magazine, achieved CarbonNeutral delivery status in 2007 (first winery in the world), and reached B Corp certification in 2017. With Pinot Noir production of approximately 4.5 million litres annually, Cono Sur ranks among the largest Pinot Noir producers in the world by volume, while maintaining critical recognition and export presence in over 90 countries. Winemaking director Matías Ríos oversees the operation, having joined the team in 2003 and taken the director role in 2018; the operation maintains the technical identity that has shaped both the affordable accessible Bicicleta tier and the icon Ocio Pinot Noir and Silencio Cabernet Sauvignon releases.

• Official wine of the Tour de France 2015; partnership boosted Bicicleta brand visibility in Europe and underscored cycling connection embedded in label
• Ocio Pinot Noir 2021 awarded Master medal at Global Pinot Noir Masters 2024, the highest possible recognition in the most authoritative comparative award for premium Pinot Noir
• Green Company of the Year 2011 (The Drinks Business); first winery worldwide with CarbonNeutral delivery status 2007; B Corp certified 2017
• Winemaking director Matías Ríos joined 2003, director role 2018; maintains technical identity shaping accessible Bicicleta tier through icon Ocio and Silencio releases