Viña Cousiño Macul

Viña Cousiño Macul was founded in 1856 by Matías Cousiño on the Hacienda Macul, originally spanning 1,000 hectares on the outskirts of Santiago. In 1860, Luis Cousiño brought genetic material directly from Bordeaux, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot cuttings from Pauillac and Sauvignon Gris from Graves. These vines have never been grafted and have been maintained through massal selection ever since. After Luis Cousiño's death, his wife Isidora Goyenechea took over management, becoming one of the first businesswomen on the continent to run a major agricultural estate. The iconic winery building was inaugurated in 1878, and the first export wine, Antiguas Reservas, was released in 1927. By 1994, Santiago's urban expansion had surrounded the original Macul estate, prompting the family to purchase 750 acres in Buin in 1996. Today the winery is in its sixth generation of Cousiño family ownership, with the seventh generation already active.

• Founded 1856 on the Hacienda Macul by Matías Cousiño
• Original French vine cuttings from Pauillac and Graves brought in 1860, still ungrafted
• Isidora Goyenechea managed the estate after Luis Cousiño's death, pioneering female business leadership in the region
• Buin estate (300 hectares) acquired 1996 as Santiago absorbed the original Macul site

Cousiño Macul farms approximately 430 hectares across three estates in the Alto Maipo appellation within Chile's Central Valley. Elevations range from 1,320 to 1,890 feet (400 to 760 meters) at the foot of the Andes Mountains. The soils combine sandy-silky topsoil over rough stone subsoil, with calcareous, alluvial, loam, and clay components depending on the site. The Mediterranean climate delivers warm, dry growing conditions, while cool nights drop below 15°C, creating a diurnal temperature variation of approximately 18°C. Irrigation water is sourced from Andes snowmelt, naturally rich in minerals. This combination of altitude, cool nights, and well-drained soils is the foundation for the winery's signature style of structured, mineral-driven wines.

• 430 hectares across three estates; Macul (93 ha), Buin (300 ha), and Paine/Alhué
• Elevation 400 to 760 meters at the foot of the Andes
• Sandy-silky topsoil over rough stone, with calcareous and alluvial components
• Diurnal temperature variation of approximately 18°C supports slow, even ripening

Cousiño Macul produces Bordeaux-inspired blends and varietal wines that emphasize elegance, mineral expression, and structure rather than maximum ripeness. The cool-climate character of Alto Maipo comes through in characteristic menthol, pepper, and herbaceous notes in the reds. Grapes cultivated include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenère, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Riesling. The flagship Antiguas Reservas line has been in continuous production since 1927. The Lota icon wine, created with consulting oenologist Pascal Marty, was launched in 2006 to commemorate the winery's 150th anniversary and is recognized as one of Chile's finest reds. Current head winemaker Rosario Corrales has held the position since 2018.

• Style prioritizes elegance and mineral expression over extracted, high-alcohol ripeness
• Cool-climate reds show menthol, pepper, and herbaceous character typical of Alto Maipo Cabernet
• Antiguas Reservas in continuous production since 1927; one of Chile's longest-running export wines
• Lota 2018 named Best Red Wine of Chile by the 2023 Descorchados Guide

Cousiño Macul practices sustainable agriculture and minimal intervention vineyard management across its estates. In 2015, the winery became the first in Chile to install a RILES (Liquid Industrial Waste) treatment plant, setting an industry benchmark for environmental responsibility. The preservation of ungrafted vines from the original 1860 French genetic material through massal selection is itself a long-term conservation commitment, maintaining biodiversity and historical integrity in the vineyard. The winery was named Winery of the Year by the 2023 Descorchados Guide and recognized as a Top 100 Premium Wine and Spirits Brand in 2024.

• First Chilean winery to install a RILES liquid industrial waste treatment plant (2015)
• Sustainable agriculture and minimal intervention management practices across all estates
• Ungrafted vines maintained through massal selection preserve original 1860 French genetic material
• Named Winery of the Year, 2023 Descorchados Guide; Top 100 Premium Wine and Spirits Brand, 2024