The Buyer | Santa Rita

Santa Rita Estates is one of the most renowned and traditional wine groups in South America. It includes Santa Rita and Carmen in Chile, two wineries with unique identities, united by a shared commitment to quality, sustainability, and winemaking excellence.

With over 3,300 hectares of vineyards, Santa Rita Estates ranks among the ten largest wine groups in the world in terms of planted area. Our wines, available in more than 50 countries, reflect the richness of diverse wine regions, including some of the country's most exceptional terroirs, such as Limarí, Apalta, and Maipo, known for producing wines with strong identity and character.

Throughout our history, we have been pioneers in modernising the wine industry, developing wine tourism, and implementing sustainable practices. As part of its forward-looking commitment, Santa Rita Estates became the first major Chilean wine group to be certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code, reaffirming its focus on responsible and conscious production.

Santa Rita

Founded in 1880 in Alto Jahuel, in the Maipo Valley, Viña Santa Rita is one of the most important wineries in South America and a key player in the history of Chilean wine. It was a trailblazer in modernising the industry by introducing French grape varieties and advanced machinery, marking a turning point in national winemaking.

Over the years, it has established a strong presence in more than 50 markets and developed vineyards in the country’s leading wine valleys. Its brand 120 has become the best-selling wine in Chile and Ireland, reflecting a consistent and approachable winemaking philosophy.
This leadership has also been recognised internationally: Santa Rita has been named among the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands by Drinks International 12 times and awarded Premium Drinks Business of the Year 2025 by the Positive Luxury Awards.

At its original site, it has created a unique wine tourism offering focused on protecting, preserving, and promoting cultural heritage by combining tradition with innovation.

Viña Carmen

Founded in 1850, Viña Carmen is one of the first wineries in South America and a benchmark in the history of Chilean wine. For over 170 years, it has combined respect for tradition with a curious and innovative mindset, driving advances that have shaped the development of the national wine industry.

One of its most emblematic milestones occurred in 1994, when the Carmenère grape—believed extinct for over a century—was rediscovered in its vineyards. Two years later, Carmen became the first Chilean winery to bottle this variety under the name Grande Vidure.
Today, true to its pioneering spirit, Carmen continues to explore new territories and styles through projects such as Carmen D.O., a collection of artisanal wines crafted alongside small producers; Delanz, its high-end line from unique vineyard sites; and its participation in VIGNO, supporting the recovery of dry-farmed Carignan from the Maule Valley.

Present in over 40 countries and actively committed to sustainability, Carmen grows its wines in some of Chile’s most renowned terroirs, producing wines that authentically express the character of their origin.

Vineyards

Santa Rita Estates owns vineyards across a wide range of wine regions in Chile. These origins are characterised by an extraordinary diversity of soils, microclimates, and altitudes, allowing our winemaking teams to produce wines with great typicity and character. The vineyards are in:

Limarí
Leyda

Casablanca

Maipo
Apalta
Colchagua
Rapel
Maule
Itata

Winemaking Team

At Santa Rita Estates, our winemaking philosophy is rooted in innovation, authenticity, and a profound connection to our origins. Each team member plays a key role in ensuring that every wine truly reflects the character of its vineyard.

Viña Santa Rita

• Sebastián Labbé – Winemaker for Casa Real, the winery’s flagship wine, and other top-tier labels including Pewën de Apalta, Triple C, and Bougainville.

• Teresita Ovalle – Winemaker for the Floresta line, exploring new expressions of classic varieties through an origin-focused and innovative lens.

• Óscar Salas – Winemaker for traditional and high-volume lines such as 120, Gran Hacienda, Secret Reserve, and Medalla Real.

• César Catalán – Winemaker for Santa Rita’s Family Wines portfolio.

Viña Carmen

• Ana María Cumsille – Chief Winemaker of Viña Carmen, leading the development of top-tier wines and the overall enological direction of the brand.

• Pablo Prieto – Winemaker at Carmen, supporting the execution of various innovative projects.

Wines & Brands

Viña Santa Rita

• 120 – The best-selling wine brand in Chile, first registered in 1967.

• Gran Hacienda – Exclusive to the on-trade channel.

• Reserva – Balanced and expressive wines with strong international presence.

• Medalla Real – Reserva, Gold Medal, and Gran Reserva lines with strong recognition in key markets.

• Colección de Origen – Premium wines exploring the character of different terroirs:

o Floresta – A different take on classic varieties

o Triple C – The Chilean interpretation of a classic Bordeaux blend

o Pewën de Apalta – The finest Carmenère in Chile

o Bougainville – The first premium Petite Sirah in Chile

• Casa Real – The winery’s flagship wine, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, recognised as the first South American Wine Legend by Decanter magazine.

Viña Carmen

• Toltén, Insigne, Premier 1850 – Entry-level lines for everyday consumption.

• Wave Series – Wines influenced by coastal climates.

• Frida Kahlo – Official collaboration with the Frida Kahlo Foundation celebrating the artist’s legacy.

• Gran Reserva, Winemaker’s Reserve, Vintages Blend – Premium tiers focused on origin and terroir expression.

• Carmen Legacy – High-end line representing Viña Carmen’s most precise and innovative vision of origin, identity, and the future of Chilean wine.

o Carmen D.O. – Minimal intervention wines from heritage vineyards and ancestral varieties made with small growers

o Carmen VIGNO – A tribute to dry-farmed Carignan from Maule and those who have preserved its terroir

o Carmen Brut Nature – Ultra-premium sparkling wine made using the traditional method, combining elegance, freshness, and aging

o Carmen Delanz – Origin-driven wines crafted from unique vineyards in Limarí, Alto Jahuel, and Apalta

o Carmen Gold – The winery’s icon wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Alto Maipo that embodies its legacy

Sustainability

At Santa Rita Estates, sustainability is the responsible path on which to carry our tradition and legacy into the future. Inspired by the Brundtland Commission’s definition, we understand sustainability as the convergence of being environmentally friendly, socially equitable, and economically viable.

This commitment extends across all areas of our operations, from vineyard and winery management to relationships with our employees, suppliers, and neighbouring communities. We were the first major Chilean wine group to be certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code, and we hold international certifications such as BRCGS that validate our good practices.

On the environmental front, we have set aside over 1,100 hectares for biodiversity conservation and actively promote the use of cover crops and beneficial microorganisms to improve soil health. In terms of water use, 99% of our vineyards are drip-irrigated, with monitoring technologies that optimise efficiency. We also operate a solar plant that supplies over 80% of daytime energy at our main facility.

In 2023, Santa Rita Estates joined the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), committing to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2033, in line with global climate action goals.

On the social side, we offer our workers and their families meaningful benefits, including free medical care, scholarships, and educational support. We also run cultural and educational programs that have introduced thousands of students and visitors to the world of wine, biodiversity, and heritage.

Our wine tourism program aims to showcase the history and local identity while fostering integration among communities, entrepreneurs, and small producers.

In this way, we reaffirm our commitment to our environment, our people, and the future of Chilean wine—working every day toward a more conscious, respectful, and sustainable industry.

WiSe: The New Generation of Vineyards

Since 2015, Viña Santa Rita has been implementing WiSe (Wine & Seed), the most ambitious vineyard renewal program in its history, backed by an investment of over US$30 million. Its goal is to secure sustainable, productive, and high-quality vineyards for the long term.

More than a replanting initiative, WiSe is about "planting wine." It is an integrated vision that considers soil, climate, topography, orientation, grape varieties, rootstocks, and water management, applying a technical and precision agriculture approach.

To date, over 1,345 hectares have been replanted, prioritising plant material that is more efficient and better adapted to drought.

The project incorporates advanced technologies—such as sensors, artificial intelligence, and predictive models—to optimise water use, improve its quality, and reduce consumption, both in the vineyard and in the winery.

WiSe represents Santa Rita’s evolution toward a more resilient and efficient viticulture, prepared for the challenges of the future.

Milestones and Recognitions

Santa Rita

1880: Domingo Fernández Concha founded Viña Santa Rita and introduced French grape varieties to Alto Jahuel.
1980: The Claro Group acquired Santa Rita and implemented advanced technologies and winemaking methods, marking a turning point in Chilean viticulture.
1987: First Chilean winery to win the Gault Millau Olympiades in Paris with the Medalla Real brand.
1989: First vintage of Casa Real, the winery’s iconic wine.
2011: Santa Rita Estates becomes the first major Chilean wine group certified under the Wines of Chile Sustainability Code.
2013: Casa Real 1989 is named a Wine Legend by Decanter magazine, the first South American wine to receive this distinction.
2015: Santa Rita receives the Ethics Award at the Drinks Business Green Awards.
2015: Recognised by Chile’s National Tourism Service (SERNATUR) for its sustainable tourism initiatives.
2016: Exclusive partnership signed between 120 and Arsenal FC. That same year, an agreement was reached with The National Gallery to use artworks on Santa Rita labels. Santa Rita was also named Winery of the Year by Wines of Chile.
2017: Ranked the second most sustainable winery in Chile according to the ISC index.
2019: Santa Rita is the highest-ranked Chilean winery in the RepTrak corporate reputation ranking, which is based on consumer trust, admiration, and overall impression.
2021: Casa Real joins La Place de Bordeaux.
2022: Santa Rita is included for the 12th consecutive year in Drinks International’s World’s Most Admired Wine Brands. Additionally, 67 of its wines are certified vegan with the globally recognised Swiss V-Label.
2023: Winner at The Drinks Business Awards for Best Contribution to Wine Tourism globally.
2023: Signs an agreement with the University of Chile to promote viticulture in the south of the country through an experimental vineyard with cool-climate varieties as a response to climate change.
2023: Named one of the Top 100 Premium Wine & Spirits Brands in the World by Luxury Lifestyle Awards.
2024: Inaugurates its first solar plant in Alto Jahuel, supplying over 80% of daytime energy to the Buin facility.
2024: 120 becomes the first wine brand to enter Kantar’s Top 100 Grocery Brands ranking in Ireland.
2025: Santa Rita Estates is recognised as Premium Drinks Business of the Year at the Positive Luxury Awards.

Carmen

1850: Christian Lanz founded Viña Carmen, one of the oldest wineries in South America.
1987: Santa Rita acquires Viña Carmen.
1993: Carmen Gold, the winery’s icon wine, is born.
1994: French ampelographer Jean-Michel Boursiquot rediscovers Carmenère at Viña Carmen.
1996: Carmen becomes the first winery to produce and market a varietal Carmenère, labelled as Grande Vidure under the Carmen Gran Reserva line.
2016: Named Breakthrough Winery by Descorchados.
2017: Carmen D.O. Matorral is named Red Wine Discovery of the Year by Tim Atkin MW.
2018: Carmen signs an agreement with the Frida Kahlo Corporation to launch limited-edition wines under her name.
2019: Carmen D.O. Florillón is named White Wine Discovery of the Year by Tim Atkin MW and is highlighted by Decanter as one of South America's future icon wines.
2024: Carmen becomes the first winery to launch a sparkling wine from Chiloé Island—the southernmost in Chile and one of the southernmost in the world.