MAP OF WINERIES IN THE MAIPO VALLEY

Throughout this period, the undisputed protagonists of Chilean viticulture were the Listan Prieto grape varieties, known as País, and Moscatel de Alejandría.

Spanish missionaries and conquistadors brought these varieties mainly to ensure the production of mass wine, essential for Catholic religious ceremonies.

From the 16th century we jump to the 19th century, in 1851. Silvestre Ochagavía introduced the first French grape varieties in Chile: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, revolutionizing quality and export potential and making Cabernet Sauvignon grapes find in the Alto Maipo terroir the best conditions for their optimal expression.

This period saw the emergence of the great historic vineyards that turned the Maipo Valley into the epicenter of quality Chilean wines and the site of some of the oldest and most renowned wineries in the country: Carmen, Concha y Toro, Cousiño Macul, Viña de Rojas(Tarapacá), Santa Rita, Undurraga…

In addition, Chile, due to its geographic isolation, has (Andes Mountains, Atacama Desert, Pacific Sea and southern ice), became a genetic bank in which many varieties of original free-standing grape varieties that were disappearing in other parts of the world such as Europe and the United States due to phylloxera were safeguarded. A good example is the Carménère, which was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in Chile in 1994 and which today is one of the emblematic grape varieties of the country.

In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, small family vineyards have sprung up throughout the Valley, picking up the tradition and contributing new vines and knowledge from different wine regions of the world, bringing to the Maipo Valley a very rich and creative variety of wines and blends.

In 1973, with the arrival of Miguel Torres, a Spanish winemaking entrepreneur and technological pioneer who revolutionized winemaking in Chile, stainless steel tanks, French oak barrels and temperature control during fermentation were introduced for the first time. All of this transformed Chile, making the country a world reference for quality wine.

In the 1980s, wineries in the Maipo Valley began to implement these technologies, the first ones being Carmen, Concha y Toro and Santa Rita.

In 1984, Viña Santa Rita ‘s Medalla Real won the gold medal at the Paris Wine Olympiad, beating more than 35 other participants. A historic milestone and an important boost for the image of all Chilean wine.

The 1990s saw the beginning of the Chilean wine export boom and in 2001 the official Maipo Valley Designation of Origin was officially created. Later in 2010s took place the official recognition of the 3 sub-zones: Alto Maipo, Maipo Medio, Maipo Costa and the development of specific identities by terroir.

In 2015-2020 there is a massive implementation of sustainable practices. First important organic and biodynamic certifications and from 2020 to the present day the digital era, consolidation as a world premium region and the expansion of wine tourism.

Don Melchor 2021, has been chosen by Wine Spectator as wine Nº 1 of the 100 Best Wines of the World in 2024.