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Cono Sur:  the pioneer in Chilean Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a variety that has been gaining visibility due to its versatility and smoothness. However, to achieve a wine with unique characteristics it is necessary to consider various factors and, besides the geographical conditions and the climate, the winemaking process directly influences the final result.

Cono Sur: experience and sustainability

When talking Chilean Pinot Noir, Cono Sur takes the lead. It was founded in 1993 with the goal of producing unique, innovative and expressive wines. For that, we focused on being a sustainable vineyard, since we depend on the soil and its fruits to generate the wines that today position us as one of the most admired wine brands in the world. It is necessary to remember that we were the first Chilean vineyard to produce and export Pinot Noir premium, understanding the importance and relevance that the variety would have in the wine market.

To develop a quality product, we worked with the french winemaker Martin Prieur – from Burgundy, the quintessential area of Pinot Noir -, who advised us in the search for the best terroirs, as well as vineyard management and the winemaking process . Thus, in 1999, the “Pinot Noir Project” was born with the goal to deliver high-end Pinot Noir wines.

The winemaking 

To understand the quality of our Pinot Noir, it is essential to know our winemaking process:

  • The grapes are harvested manually.
  • The clusters pass through the selection table, and only those that meet the quality criteria are vinified.
  • The clusters are later destemmed.
  • We perform a cold maceration process to extract flavor and color.
  • Then, we follow the ancient Burgundy method and the grapes are first crushed with the feet. Later, it is worth mentioning that the cap is punched down manually to achieve a smoother extraction of color and tannins.
  • After the alcoholic fermentation, the wines need some aging, which is decisive! With excessive contact with oak, the delicate fruity aromas – that are typical of this variety – can be lost. The choosing of the right aging time and type of barrel, including its volume and level of toast, demand a lot of attention.

After this great work, an intense deep red wine is born, and in its aroma you can find notes of sour cherries, plums, raspberries, which make this a very delicate and expressive wine. On the palate, we can appreciate its smoothness, good texture and good acidity level.

Cono Sur: a sustainable vineyard

In Cono Sur we have endeavored to implement environmentally friendly practices and processes. In the 90’s we incorporated the first hectares into the organic system, which currently translates into more than 300 hectares within this integrated management. This fact has allowed us to obtain important certifications, which support us as a sustainable vineyard.

For all the above, our wines have positioned themselves in the most relevant wine markets in the world, and many of them have received important awards. For example:

  • The prestigious American critic James Suckling awarded 90 points to our Organic Pinot Noir.
  • Ocio, our icon Pinot Noir, was chosen the best Pinot Noir in the Latin American Wine Guide with a 94 points score.

Now that you know more about our winemaking process, you can understand why the Pinot Noir that we make in Cono Sur is #1 seller in the UK. To appreciate all its benefits, we recommend you enjoy it at 14 ° C.