For Immediate release
SANTA RITA ESTATES CONDUCTS A SERIES OF TASTINGS AND WORKSHOPS WITH LEADING
MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN WINE PRESS AND TRADE IN LONDON
London, January 2013. Marking its presence in one of its most important export markets, Santa
Rita Estates, which includes the Carmen, Doña Paula , Nativa, Santa Rita, Terra Andina, wineries,
presented a comparative Cabernet Sauvignon tasting and their second annual “South American
Wine Workshops”.
Santa Rita Estates, one of the leading wine producers in South America, hosted a comparative
tasting featuring twelve of the world’s top Cabernet Sauvignon’s sourced from the Southern and
Northern Hemisphere, the New World and the Old World on Monday 14th January 2013. The
event, held at Claridge’s Hotel, was attended by opinion leaders from the UK and Irish wine press,
including Anthony Rose, Jancis Robinson MW, Jane Macquitty, Oz Clarke, Peter McCombie MW,
Peter Richards MW, Steven Spurrier, Tim Atkin MW, Tom Cannavan and Tomas Clancy .
The blind tasting of 12 iconic wines was led by the renowned Australian winemaker Brian Croser
with Peter McCombie MW acting as a moderator and head winemakers Cecilia Torres of Viña
Santa Rita and Sebastián Labbé of Viña Carmen offering valuable input and insights into the
production of Cabernet Sauvignon from a Chilean perspective. The event was not a point scoring
exercise, but an educational tasting exploring the styles, structures, differences and similarities of
Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the world’s greatest grape varieties. See notes below for a list of
wines shown at this event.
“It was great to see Chilean wines in a global context and to see how distinctive they all were. The
2010 Casa Real was the stand out Chilean wine for me,” commented Tim Atkin MW.
Brian Croser commented “Chilean wine has always impressed me as being very unique and
different.” Pointing to “the lovely sweet middle and very exotic characters that sometimes go over
the top,” he added: “the tannins are different and you always know you are facing something very
deep and concentrated.”
The Santa Rita Estates South American wine workshops held at the new venue 30 Euston Square,
London NW1, took place over the following two days. With presentations and tastings, the
educational events focused on the premium category of wines from Chile and Argentina and
served to promote the attributes of South American diversity and regionality. Coastal climate
wines and innovation in Chile and an in-depth study of terroir focusing on the Gualtallary area in
Argentina were the two main modules of the day along with a short session on sustainability and
its relevance in today’s marketplace. The Chilean module, chaired by Peter Richards MW with
guest speakers Brian Croser and renowned Chilean wine journalist and presenter Patricio Tapia;
provided an opportunity for guests to taste the effect coastal influences have in Chilean
winemaking and see in a comparative situation the diversity that Chilean wines have to offer.
Wines were tasted from the following regions, listed from North to South: Atacama, Limarí,
Casablanca, Aconcagua Costa, Leyda, Lo Abarca, Paredones, Pumanque, and Itata.
Journalist Jean Smullen wrote on her blog of the Chilean tasting “ The 2012 Santa Rita Cabernet
Franc from the vineyards at Pumanque was a revelation. Pumanque is another coastal region,
30km from the Pacific Ocean. The region has red sandy loam soil which is perfect for red
grapes. This is a high quality cool climate sub region within Colchagua Valley. The Santa Rita
Cabernet Franc was outstanding. Very perfumed it has a wonderful elegant structure. The 2012
Santa Rita Syrah also from Pumanque was another star. Very Northern Rhone in style, the 1st
vintage of Syrah in Pumanque was released in 2008. This was another stand out wine and
revealed Chile's potential for elegant red wines from their cooler regions.”
Chaired by Tim Atkin MW, the second module of the day focused on the terroir and wine from the
Gualtallary area of Mendoza, Argentina. Doña Paula viticulturalist Martin Kaiser offered an
illuminating technical presentation on the effects that climate, soil, topography and vineyard
management all have on the final profiles of the wines from Gualtallary. Edgardo Del Pópolo who
is now consulting for Doña Paula affirmed that the trend in Argentina is moving towards wines
with greater freshness, balance and regional expression.
Peter Richards MW commented on the workshops: “Lively discussion, diverse wines and expert
insights were all in evidence at the South American Wine Workshop run by Santa Rita Estates.
Following on from last year’s ambitious debut event, this was another hugely worthwhile event
and the organisers deserve great credit for not just taking a narrow brand focus but instead
including wines from other producers and in so doing taking the discussion and focus to a much
broader, more stimulating and more rewarding level. In just two years, this SRE workshop has
become a firm fixture in the UK wine calendar, offering excellent and timely insights into the fastevolving South American wine scene,”
These initiatives show once again Santa Rita Estates’ commitment to educating the trade in the
quality, diversity and attributes of regionality both within Chile and Argentina. The events have
both highlighted the need for continued sustainable practices and demonstrated the competitive
advantages wines from these countries have at a world level.
-ENDS For further information please contact:
Caroline Park – Santa Rita Estates
Tel. + 44 7793 367501
caroline@cmpark.co.uk
Notes to editors
Wines shown at the Cabernet Sauvignon tasting at Claridge’s on Monday 14 th January
2013
The wines chosen for the tasting were: Domaine de Chavalier 2009, Pessac Léognan (France);
Cullen Diana Madeline 2009, Margaret River (Australia); Château Pontet Canet, 2008 Pauillac
(France); Sasiccaia 2009, Bolgheri (Italy); Te Mata Coleraine 2009, Hawkes Bay (New Zealand);
Petaluma Cabernet Merlot 2008 Coonawarra (Australia); Ridge Monte Bello 2009, Santa Cruz
(USA); Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Stellenbosch (South Africa); Santa Rita Casa Real 2008
and 2010, Alto Jahuel, Maipo; Carmen Gold Reserve 2010, Alto Jahuel, Maipo; and Errázuriz Seña
2008 Aconcagua (Chile).
Comments from attendees at the Cabernet Sauvignon tasting include:
Gabriel Savage, of Drinks Business magazine, said in her article “Chilean Cabernet Shows off
Unique Character” that “Chile showed itself as offering one of the most nationally distinctive
expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon at a blind tasting of top examples from around the world.”
Sarah Kemp, Publishing Director of Decanter magazine, said “The exploration of Cabernet
Sauvignon from the world’s top producers, organized by Santa Rita Estates, was a unique and
illuminating event. What impressed me was the level of quality shown from across the globe;
there were no wines you thought, “why were they chosen”.
Wines shown at the South American wine workshops at 30 Euston Square on Tuesday
15th & Wednesday 16th January 2013
Coastal climate wines and innovation in Chile:
Wines shown: Santa Rita Medalla Real Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Koyle Costa Sauvignon Blanc 2011,
Casa Marín Cipreses Sauvignon Blanc 2003, Carmen Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2011, Maycas
Quebrada Seca Chardonnay2011, Viña Ventisquero Tara White Wine 1 Chardonnay 2011, De
Martino Viejas Tinajas Muscat 2012, Carmen Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 2011, Cono Sur Pinot Noir
2011, Tabalí Talinay Pinot Noir 2010, Errázuriz Costa Syrah 2010, Santa Rita Medalla Real Syrah
2010, Matetic EQ Syrah 2010, Santa Rita Cabernet Franc 2012, Santa Rita Syrah 2012.
The influence of terroir focusing on terroir in Gualtallary, Argentina
Wines shown: Doña Paula Cuvée Speciale Riesling-Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Catena White Stones
Chardonnay 2009, Passionate Wines Agua de Roca Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Doña Paula Series
Cabernet Franc 2011, Zorzal Terroir Unico Malbec 2011, Catena Adrianna Malbec 2010, Passionate
Wines Demente Cabernet Franc 2011, Doña Paula Alluvia Parcel Malbec 2010.
About Patricio Tapia
After graduating with a degree in journalism from the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Patricio
Tapia attended Bordeaux University in France, where he studied for a diploma in wine tasting and
winemaking. Since then, he has visited wine regions around the world and authored several books,
including his annual Descorchados, a Chilean wine guide; The Wines of Colchagua
Valley; TodoVino; and Wines for Great Occasions. Tapia is the South American correspondent
for The Oxford Companion to Wine, The World Atlas of Wine and Oz Clarke's Pocket Wine
Book. For the past three years, he's been a host on the El Gourmet channel in South America.
Tapia is also the critic for the wines of Argentina, Chile and Spain, and regularly contributes articles
on these regions at Wine & Spirits Magazine.
About Brian Croser
Croser has a world-class reputation as a trailblazer on the global wine stage. Educated at the
University of Adelaide and at the University of California at Davis, Brian has been an innovator in
the Australian fine wine industry for over 35 years and is frequently referred to as “terroirist” for
his core philosophy of meticulously matching grape varieties to specific vineyard sites. Accolades
to date include Officer of the Order of Australia, President of the Winemakers Federation of
Australia, Chairman of Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra wine shows, Maurice O’Shea award, an
Honorary Doctorate from Charles Stuart University, Doctor of the University of Adelaide and
Decanter magazine Man of the Year in 2004.
ABOUT SANTA RITA ESTATES
Santa Rita Estates (SRE),also known as the Claro Wine Group, comprises four wine brands from
Chile: Santa Rita, Carmen, Nativa, Terra Andina and Doña Paula from Argentina. The Claro Wine
Group is a fully owned subsidiary of the Claro Group operating out of Santiago, Chile.
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SRE are South Americas second largest premium wine exporter in terms of sales by value *
SRE currently own over 3,700 hectares of vines in Chile and more than 700 hectares of
vines in Argentina
SRE wines are distributed by:
- Santa Rita Europe Ltd (GB & ROI),
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Berkmann Wine Cellars (GB)- Santa Rita Gran Hacienda on-trade &
independent off-trade, Terra Andina;
HallgartenDruitt (GB) – Carmen & Doña Paula on-trade & independent offtrade,
Liberty Wines - Nativa (GB)
Drinks Inc. (Northern Ireland) – Terra Andina
Gleeson inc. Gilbeys (ROI) – Santa Rita
*(measured by wine sales greater than $30/case)
The team of winemakers and viticulturalists working for Santa Rita Estates are dedicated to
producing the best quality wines Chile and Argentina can offer from a diverse range of terroirs.
Each of the brands has their own unique identity and wine style. Sustainability is top of the agenda
in every part of the wine making process, from the vineyards to the final distribution and Santa
Rita Estates have a fully integrated environmental and commercial sustainability programme in
place.
ABOUT SANTA RITA
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Established in 1880, Santa Rita is one of Chile’s oldest and most respected wineries
Santa Rita is one of the top selling Chilean wine brands in both the off-trade and as Santa
Rita Gran Hacienda in the on-trade in the UK and Ireland
Santa Rita owns over 2,500 hectares of Wines of Chile Certified Sustainable vineyards in
the following wine valleys: Limarí, Casablanca, Leyda, Maipo, Colchagua, Apalta, Maule,
Rapel and Curico
Brands under the Santa Rita Label include: 120, Reserva, Medalla Real, Pehuen, Triple C,
the top wine is Casa Real
Viña Santa Rita was acquired by the Claro Wine Group in 1980
www.santarita.com
ABOUT CARMEN
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Founded in 1850, Carmen is the oldest surviving winery in Chile
The Carmenère grape variety was rediscovered in 1994 at one of the Carmen’s vineyards
in the Alto Maipo Valley
Carmen became the driving force behind the development of Carmenère in Chile and
launched its first varietally labelled bottle, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, in 1996.
Carmen was the first to produce wine made from Organic Grapes in 1995
Tiers within the range include Classic, Reserva, Gran Reserva, Winemakers Reserve, the
top wine is Gold Reserve
The Claro Wine Group added Viña Carmen to their portfolio in 1987.
www.carmen.com
ABOUT TERRA ANDINA
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Terra Andina is a leading producer of innovative, premium wines from Chile
The fruit forward signature style combines old world traditions with new world techniques
sourcing grapes from each of the top wine producing regions in Chile
The brand has total creative independence and is small enough to be experimental with
single varietals and blends that are particularly suited to food matching
Tiers within the range include: Single Varietal, Reserve, Altos, the top wine is Suyai
Terra Andina joined the Claro Wine Group in 2001
www.terraandina.com
ABOUT NATIVA
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Nativa was born in 1995 as part of Viña Carmen
Nativa is an organic producer and in 1999 became the first Chilean brand to launch a wine
using organically certified grapes
The brand embodies the very essence of sustainability and is used as an educational
reference in Chile actively supporting institutions protecting flora & fauna as well as
working to develop support programmes for organic agricultural producers
Nativa currently has over 300 hectares of organically grown grapes in the Limarí, Maipo,
Colchagua & Curicó Valleys
Tiers within the range include: Reserva & Gran Reserva
In 2009 the Nativa Eco Wines Company was created and it became part of the Claro Wine
Group
www.nativawines.com
ABOUT DOÑA PAULA
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The search by the Claro Wine Group for the best terroir in Argentina started in 1990, it
was in 1997 that first area of land for vineyards was acquired
Today, the Doña Paula brand owns over 760 hectares in the premium areas of Luján de
Cuyo and Uco Valleys within the Mendoza region
100% of the grapes going into the Estate, Paula & Selección de Bodega wines are sourced
Doña Paula owned vineyards
Malbec is the main focus within the brand, however innovation is also top of the agenda
with successful plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Grenache and Petit Verdot amongst
others adding breadth & diversity to the traditional Argentinian offerings
Tiers within the range include: Los Cardos, Paula, Estate, the top wine is the Selección de
Bodega
www.donapaula.com