October, 2011.-

On a Chilean level, the results of two relevant wine competitions have just been presented to the public, in addition to several tasting panels in local and foreign specialized magazines which have highlighted our wines. Also, the most important competition in China, especially focused on Chinese consumer preferences, revealed its medal standings.

In the competition at the traditional Chilean fair Cata y Vino, Castillo de Molina in its 2011Elqui Sauvignon Blanc and 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon varieties, obtained a Gold Medal and a BEST VALUE distinction for each, in addition to two more Gold Medals for 2009 1865 Single Vineyard Malbec and 2008 1865 Limited Edition Syrah from Elqui Valley.

In turn, 2010 1865 Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was granted a Gold Medal in the national competition Catad’Or W. Whereas, at the other side of the world, the 2011 China Wine Awards, granted a Gold Medal to our 2006 Cabo de Hornos.

As for specialized magazines, local panels of these last few months have highlighted:

+ La Cav Tasting Panel, Syrah and Merlot, July 2011:

- 91pts, 1865 Single Vineyard Syrah 2008

- 89pts, Castillo de Molina Syrah 2009

- 89pts, Castillo de Molina Merlot 2009

+ La Cav Tasting Panel, Malbec and Red Blends, August 2011:

- 90pts, 1865 Single Vineyard Malbec 2008

+ Vinos&Más Tasting Panel, Syrah and Carménère, July-August 2011:

- 90pts, 1865 Single Vineyard Syrah 2007

- 90pts, 1865 Limited Edition Syrah Elqui 2007

+ La Cav Tasting Panel,Carménère under $15,000, September 2011:

- 91pts, 1865 Single Vineyard Carménère 2009

- 89pts, Castillo de Molina Carménère 2009

And on an international level, in the United States, Lisa Carley, wine consultant and critic of The New York Examiner, published a series of reviews on Chilean wines in her weekly column during August, where she recommended her readers to taste our 2009 Castillo de Molina Pinot Noir, highlighting its great price-quality ratio. “… smooth and fruity, with minimal tannins and minimal oak. (…) solid and bright fruit flavors, good focus (meaning the flavors aren’t muddy), good acidity, long length and excellent balance”, the expert described.

Also, the September issue of CasaLife (luxury exclusive magazine of the Casa de Campo Resort&Residence, in La Romana, Dominican Republic, which is distributed among its 1,600 owners and 140thousand guests a year), published an article by expert John Martin about Chilean wine and a selection of what he qualified as the most outstanding wineries in the country, entitled “Nectar of the Americas”, where he described Viña San Pedro by saying: “This winery masters its red blends to perfection. 1865 Limited Edition Blend, 2006 Cabo de Hornos”. And he also published a picture of our Kankana del Elqui.

Certainly not a small accumulation of recognitions, that support the quality and consistency of San Pedro wines,

in Chile and around the world.

August, 2011.- Castillo de Molina

Through this web, navigators have the chance to learn more about San Pedro and its brand in a different and amusing way, enjoying exquisite recipes to pair with Castillo de Molina’s several varieties. Thus, even the most rookie consumer is able to purchase knowingly, without any further assistance, and look as an expert achieving perfect pairings.

The QR code, or Quick Response, is an image containing encoded information, decipherable at high speed with a device enabled with a software. Simply download the application to the phone, near the device to the code on the bottle and check the delicious proposed recipes for each variety, besides tasting notes, data about the winemaker, pictures of the winery, etc. Thus, if you are right at the supermarket, you can seize to buy all the other necessary ingredients in order to cook up the proposed dish!

This activation has resulted very successful and attractive for importers, retailers and consumers alike. Over 60 markets around the world have joined already and it has been translated to English, Portuguese and soon to Korean. It has even been applied on packs and has managed to enter some complex nations in terms of marketing, such as Finland, therefore developing a special sticker. This is the first step of a series of activities to carry out at this new technological era, which will be informed in due time. Stay tuned!

November, 2010.-

On the first hand, 2010 Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc Elqui reached the best possible score in an article published by Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden’s largest morning newspaper. In its note entitled “Wine Duell”, renowned Swedish experts, Jens Dolk and Mikael Mölnstad, presented their favorites for these Christmas and

New Year’s Eve celebrations, bestowing it  6 points and qualifying it as a wine of “complete perfection”.

We are also glad to add some great news for other varieties as well, within two of the most prestigious specialized publications in the US:

-          2008 Castillo de Molina Pinot Noir will be featured with 87 points and as Best Buy in Wine Enthusiast’s Buying Guide issued on December 31^st.

-          2008 Castillo de Molina Shiraz will appear ranked with 87 points in this November 30^th edition of Wine Spectator.

These acknowledgements demonstrate that the search for new and superior origins for our Castillo de Molina wines is always for the best, and that its broad array of varieties offers a whole quality world where to choose from!

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”

June of 2010.-

The Food & Wine Classic is the most popular “foodie” event of the year in North America. For three days, the stellar line-up of culinary masters and wine connoisseurs share trade secrets and techniques with 5,000 foodies and vinophiles at over 80 cooking and wine seminars, tastings, demonstrations, celebrity chef receptions, parties and other entertainment.

“So, it is the premier wine event in the US, to showcase top wine companies, such as San Pedro, and food related products”, says VP Sales and Marketing North America, Mark Vanston.

In the Grand Tasting Tents featured at the Food & Wine Classic, 50,000 bottles wine were available to sample, among them, San Pedro’s prestigious brands 1865 Single Vineyard and Castillo de Molina, and exhibitors shared their latest products.

This festival is related to the stylish and trend-spotting epicurean American magazine FOOD & WINE, edited by American Express Publishing, a leading luxury lifestyle magazine’s publishing house. This magazine has a monthly circulation of over 925,000 and is online at foodandwine.com.

April of 2010.-

San Pedro offered the delegations coming from the five continents and from the best restaurants in the world, a lunch at the W Santiago Hotel, where it delighted its guests with a journey through this country’s main valleys, presenting the latest vintages of its Premium and Reserve brands, 1865 Single Vineyard, 1865 Limited Edition and Castillo de Molina.

The lunch –which took place just some hours before the long-awaited Great Final, where the UK’s candidate, Gerard Basset, turned out to be the winner–, was attended by the 53 delegations accredited in the Concours Sommelier du Monde, formed by the Sommelier’s Associations’ Presidents, each region’s best Sommelier and also the most prestigious wine journalist of each country.

It was a unique occasion, without a doubt, since it included those who make Chilean wine buying decisions at the most distinguished international restaurants. A perfect instance to continue captivating the world with the excellence of San Pedro’s wines.