Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery

Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery is the third exporter of bottled wine in Chile.[1]

It was created in 1993 as subsidiary of Concha y Toro Winery. Its name makes reference to its geographical origins: South America’s Southern Cone. It is also a play on words with connoisseur. In 2015, it started as the official wine of the Tour de France.[2]

Pinot noir project

In 1999 Cono Sur started the “Pinot noir project”. In order to achieve that goal[3], they decided to vinify according to the traditions of Burgundy, a region of France where this variety comes from. From this same place comes Martin Prieur, an experienced Pinot noir winemaker who has helped Cono Sur select Chilean terroirs and advised us on optimum vineyard management.

Sustainable agriculture

In 1998 Cono Sur began implementing the decision to switch from a traditional to a sustainable agriculture, a system which favors the use of natural alternatives to fertilize, prevent and control pests, diseases and weeds. This is a comprehensive agricultural system that works hand-in-hand with clean and healthy environment policies. The idea was to avoid as much as possible the use of non-natural elements, through the use of geese, sheep, insects and plants. Thus, the environment becomes a self-regulating system, and the fruit is cultivated in a cleaner and healthier way.

Organic agriculture

An organic wine is basically a wine made from organically grown grapes, meaning they were farmed and harvested entirely without the use of man-made chemicals, whether in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides. For some years now Cono Sur has promoted the organic wine production in Chile.

In 1999 Cono Sur began our organic viticulture project with 40 hectares of Chimbarongo vineyards, in the Colchagua Valley. In 2003, after the necessary 3 year transition period, it produced its first wine – a Cabernet Sauvignon / Carménère – made from organically grown grapes, certified by BCS Oeko Garantie GMBH Germany. In 2009, the three varieties that were part of the Sustainable Agriculture range (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot noir) became part of Cono Sur organic wines range, after obtaining the organic certification.

Vineyards

Cono Sur has vineyards in several valleys along the country:

Limarí Valley (Chardonnay, Viognier, Carmenere, Syrah).

Aconcagua Valley (Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.)

Casablanca Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminner, Pinot noir, Merlot.)

San Antonio Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Merlot, Syrah.)

Maipo Valley (Pinot noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon.)

Cachapoal Valley (Riesling, Merlot, Malbec, Carmenere, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon).

Colchagua Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Pinot noir, Merlot, Malbec, Carmenere, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon).

Curicó Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot noir, Malbec.)

Maule Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Pinot noir, Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon.)

Bío-Bío Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot noir.)

Winery

Cono Sur’s main winery is located in Chimbarongo, in Colchagua Valley.

In 1999 Cono Sur inaugurated an annex winery especially designed for the vinification of Pinot noir, where the ancient Burgundian winemaking traditions blend with New World forefront technology. In 2009 another cellar was built, which will be exclusively for premium Pinot noir wines, and it will have a capacity of 530,000 litres.

Other brands

Cono Sur also produces the brand Isla Negra Wines, which is mainly exported to Europe.

References
  1. "Viñas Concha y Toro, San Pedro y Cono Sur concentran 33% de las exportaciones de vino".
  2. "Chile's Cono Sur extends Tour de France partnership". harpers.co.uk. February 18, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  3. What goal?
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