November, 2010.-

For this reason, winemakers of the associated wineries gathered in order to taste and showcase to the specialized press a fine selection of emblematic wines stemming from the Curicó Valley, in vertical tastings.

The journey included each wine’s description, as well as the climatic characteristics which marked every vintage, besides technical specifications about vinification and aging that gave birth to these notable representatives.

Within the seven participants, Viña San Pedro had an outstanding performance with its Icon wine, Cabo de Hornos, vintages 1997, 1999 and 2001.

“All the wines showed a great performance after several years of cellaring –wrote Annemarie Balde on her blog ablturismo.com, after the meeting­–, what expresses and demonstrates the big potential of wines stemming from the DO Curicó Valley, especially those Cabernet Sauvignon previous to the year 2000”.

“Curicó has top level wines, owners of a very different concentration and typicity in comparison with their equivalents from other valleys, these are wines with an own identity”, stressed the host, Eugenio Eben.

A great journey to enjoy highest quality wines, along delicious typical dishes, in a very familiar surrounding.

October, 2010.- Marco Puyo, Chief Oenologist of Reserva and Premium Wines

On this occasion, journalists and specialized media had the chance to taste some varieties of Castillo de Molina, 1865 Single Vineyard, and the 2006 harvest of our Ultra Premium Cabo de Hornos wine, which has just been launched in that country.

Below, are the links to some interviews given by Marco Puyo to the Colombian media: http://www.notasdecata.com.co/blog/marco-puyo-estuvo-en-colombia-2.htm ver video entrevista de “Con todo el gusto”

Last Wednesday 24^th, the most meaningful landmark of this journey along the coasts of the American continent was celebrated, upon crossing the mythical Cape Horn, one of the southernmost spots in the world.

After setting sail from the port of Ushuaia, in the Argentinean Patagonia, and going through the Beagle Channel, the crew began the preparations for this historic journey. At 5:00 a.m., the men who would unfurl the ship’s sails started waking up one by one. An hour later, the deck was full of “old sea wolves” who told the younger ones about how previous ships had gone through that place.

Little by little, the night’s darkness started receding, giving way to the incredible stone mountain which, from the beginning of time, has been lashed by southern seas and continuous winds. At 7:20 a.m., and with hoisted sails, due East course was set and at 9:15 a.m. the White Lady passed in front of Cape Horn, in a very emotional moment for all the ship’s crew.

Many times the weather has worked against the vessels which have crossed through this place, with strong swells, menacing clouds and unforeseeable storms. This time, however, meteorological conditions were favourable and much better than expected, in spite of the intimidating cloudy sky.

The historic journey was completed with a dinner party, at which its main figures raised their glasses and toasted with Cabo de Hornos wine, celebrating what was a magical and unrepeatable experience.

The Captain of the ship, Commander Ignacio Mardones, illustrated the experience with the following words: “There hasn’t been a sailor who has never dreamed of crossing the mythical Cape Horn”.

Another reason for pride to share with you!!

This is a great honor for Cabo de Hornos, San Pedro’s Icon wine, because this year’s “White Lady’s” journey acquires great relevance and joins the celebrations programmed to commemorate the 200 years Anniversary of the Chilean Independence.

While circumnavigating the whole South American Continent, the ship under the command of Capitain Ignacio Mardones Costa, will visit 18 ports in 217 days of crossing and 20,433 sailed nautical miles.

 At the farewell ceremony on Valparaíso’s Molo, government and navy authorities made a first toast with Cabo de Hornos. Along the navigation, this wine is meant to be the special gift granted by the Esmeralda to its VIP visitors and the ports’ representatives where it reaches land, besides accompanying presentation lunches and dinners offered on board.

The new vintage of our Icon wine, 2006 Cabo de Hornos, has just been rated with 91 points by James Molesworth, wine-writer of the prestigious American magazine, Wine Spectator for its 31st December issue.

Heading the column about the new releases from wineries around the world, our 2006 Cabo de Hornos appears with
the highest score ( the next one attained 89 points).

Molesworth described it as “Dark, but sleek and polished, with chocolate-covered espresso bean and warm fig sauce notes that glide over a loamy but well- integrated undertow. Roasted sage and tobacco chime in on
the long finish.”

This follows the same path as the 91+ points awarded earlier to this wine, at the Chilean wine ranking published in April by The Wine Advocate, the magazine belonging to the famous American wine-critic, Robert Parker.

A wide ranking acknowledgement granted to the oenological work, the dedication to terroirs and the excellent quality of San Pedro wines.

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The article appears right after Puyo met the American wine writer during a Winemaker’s tour to New York last week, focusing on Marco’s and San Pedro’s ongoing projects progress, the company’s continued focus in Premium wines and to show JM the new releases of 1865 Single Vineyard and Cabo de Hornos.

About a year ago, Molesworth also wrote a note in his blog after meeting with the winemaker, entitled “A sit down with Chile’s Marco Puyo”, where he expressed positive expectations for his work and new plans in San Pedro.

In his new post, entitled “Marco Puyo: Leading the way in Chile’s Elqui Valley”, Molesworth speaks about the new VSPT Wine Group, Marco’s projects in this Northern Chilean valley and mentions him as one of the Chilean winemakers who caught his attention six years ago, during his first visit to the country, and who has become one of the Wine leaders to the industry.

“This is another project –writes the expert– in a recent trend (…of) wineries that are pushing the viticultural boundaries of Chile, aiming for higher acid, more elegant expressions of wine (…) It’s a trend that’s helped push Chile to greater heights with its wines in recent vintages. It’s a trend I’d like to see continue”, says Molesworth.

It’s the second time Molesworth states San Pedro’s leadership in Elqui. The Wine Spectator’s May 31st edition included his special on Chile, in which he named the 2008 Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc from Elqui among the most interesting examples of Chilean whites, and commented that “Viña San Pedro has the lead in developing vineyards here (the Elqui Valley), notably for Sauvignon Blanc”.

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In the context of the third Chilean wine tasting carried out by Jay Miller for the prestigious American magazine The Wine Advocate, Viña San Pedro was very pleased to have the chance to host a tasting for him in its vineyard at the Elqui Valley, and show him “in situ” our latest news and the wines born in this terroir.

This time, Jay Miller, the expert in who Robert Parker –one of the most important critics in the world–, delegated the tastings and ratings for his publication of the wines steming from Latin America among other regions, decided to make his tastings on the field. This is why he undertook a visit to Chile from March 4th to the 12 th.

In order to surprise Miller, San Pedro offered him a tasting of nine wines, conducted by Marco Puyo, Winemaker of Premium and Reserve Wines, in a very nice place, specially prepared for this occasion, right in the middle of the vineyards which give birth, among others, to our awarded Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc Elqui.

A notable representative of this white variety, that has attained the most important prizes at international wine competitions since it was launched the year 2006, such as the Regional Trophy for the best Sauvignon Blanc under £10 awarded by the contest of the renowned English magazine Decanter.

Besides this wine, Miller had the chance to taste our wines 1865 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc steming from Leyda Valley, the new launching of this line, 1865 Limited Edition 2006, also Cabo de Hornos 2006 –released just a week ago to the market–, its next harvest 2007, and the innovative developments the winery is carrying out in this interesting valley, about which you will be hearing news pretty soon …

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