Cono Sur Winery
Cono sur Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1993 with a vision of producing premium, expressive and innovative wines that convey the spirit of the new world. The company distinguishes itself by three main features: the creative use of technology, orientation towards quality and respect for the environment. Cono Sur´s names refers the company´s geographic position, representing wines proudly made in South America´s southern cone, on whose western edge lies Chile and its gifted wine valleys.
CORE VALUES
The company defines itself by three main features: the creative use of technology, orientation towards quality and respect for the environment.
Cono Sur has expanded the boundaries of viticulture and winemaking in Chile, introducing widely unknown varieties to our country. Not only have we used innovation with what goes into the bottle, but also its packaging. In 1995, we were the first winery in South America to use synthetic corks. In 2002, we were the first Chilean winery to use screwcaps with aromatic white wines; this is the best closure to keep a wine young, fresh and oxidation-free. From 2002 onwards, based on product performance, technical development and market response, we have shifted most of our Whites, Rosés and Pinot Noirs – along with Reds intended for brief cellaring – to advanced screwcap closures.
To Cono Sur quality is a concept that is present in all of our productive stages. It begins with the definition of the right valley and vineyard. The right grape in the right terroir. The next step is to ensure that the vines are healthy, following up closely their growth and the ripening of the grapes. In order to achieve this, we must monitor each vineyard with regular visits, which also helps us determine when it is time to harvest. Once the grapes are picked and the vinification begins, quality is sought after by ensuring that fermentation is done correctly and that each variety is reaches its maximum potential. When the fermentation is done the winemakers must decide on type of barrels, aging, blending to achieve the best wine possible. Finally, comes the bottling which requires the rigorous attention of supplies and technical parameters.
Since its conception, Cono Sur has been deeply committed to the development of its environmental policies, believing that high quality wine production can work hand-in-hand with eco-friendly practices. Over the years, we have implemented a clean action plan, which embraces our natural vineyard management, organic production, ISO certifications and balancing our CO2 emissions through our CarbonNeutral® delivery status.
INNOVATIVE VARIETIES
Cono Sur was born around the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in Chile. We were the first in Chile to produce Premium Pinot Noir, and also the first to export the variety. Producing Pinot Noir has been Cono Sur's most exciting challenge, and it is the only variety present in all of our ranges. Our “Pinot Noir project” started in 1999, with the aim of producing the best Pinot Noir in Chile: unique, expressive and proud of its New World roots, while vinified according to the Burgundian tradition. From this same French DO comes Martin Prieur, an experienced Pinot Noir winemaker who has helped us select Chilean terroirs and advised us on optimum vineyard management.
Cono Sur has expanded the boundaries of viticulture and winemaking in Chile, introducing widely unknown varieties to our country: We were the first winery to produce and export Viognier from Chile. And one of the first to produce Gewürztraminer. And ours was the first Riesling with a BÃo-BÃo Valley Designation of Origin.
