Santiago, Chile, will host The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 awards ceremony on 18 November at Viña Don Melchor, located within the Viña Concha y Toro Wine Centre in Pirque. The selection of Viña Don Melchor as Official Venue Partner, announced by The 50 Best Vineyards, recognizes Chile's remarkable development in wine tourism and positions the country to showcase its offerings to a global audience of influential wine and travel experts.
The event, which makes its Chilean debut, is supported by the Government of Santiago as Official Host Partner, its Regional Corporation, and Grupo Liderazgo as Official Partner. Rikki Tidball, Managing Director of Events for The 50 Best Vineyards, said, "We are thrilled to bring The 50 Best Vineyards awards to Chile for the first time. It is fitting that we celebrate in a destination that has earned global recognition for the quality and diversity of its wine offering." The ceremony will bring together leading figures from wine, gastronomy, hospitality, and travel for a week-long program, providing a unique platform to highlight Chilean wines and wine regions.
The implications for Chile's wine industry and tourism sector are significant. Claudio Orrego, Governor of Santiago, noted, "Our region is making steady progress towards becoming the wine and tourism capital of South America, and hosting this international event strengthens our global leadership." This event validates years of investment in infrastructure, hospitality, and wine-related experiences, raising industry standards and expanding international recognition. It also signals to the global wine community that Chile is a premier destination for wine tourism, potentially boosting visitor numbers and economic growth.
Viña Don Melchor, located in the Maipo Valley, is one of South America's leading luxury wine tourism destinations. Its selection as the venue reflects its status as the birthplace of one of the world's most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignons. Enrique Tirado, CEO and Technical Director of Viña Don Melchor, commented, "The selection of Viña Don Melchor as the venue for this ceremony is recognition of the excellence Chile has achieved as a producer of world-class wines and as a leading international wine tourism destination." The Viña Concha y Toro Wine Centre, opened in 2025, was conceived to project Chilean wine culture internationally through a blend of heritage, wine, gastronomy, art, landscape, and world-class hospitality.
Max Raide, President of Grupo Liderazgo, emphasized the pride in hosting the event: "This is an invitation to all to visit and know not only our recognised valleys, which house the best strains such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère, but also our products that come from the land and coasts of Chile." Isabel Guilisasti, Vice President of Fine Wines and Corporate Image at Viña Concha y Toro, added that hosting the event "sends a highly positive signal regarding the international projection of our wine and tourism industries."
The 50 Best Vineyards, organized by William Reed, showcases the finest winery experiences globally, with rankings based on the opinions of over 700 travel and wine tourism experts. The event's arrival in Santiago is expected to further cement Chile's standing as a premier wine tourism destination, offering an exceptional opportunity to display the diversity of its wine regions and cultural heritage. As the global wine community gathers in Santiago, the awards ceremony will not only celebrate excellence but also serve as a catalyst for continued growth and recognition of Chilean wine tourism on the world stage.
