Viña Don Melchor

Owners: Viña Don Melchor S.p.A.
Head Winemaker: Enrique Tirado
Website: donmelchor.com
Commercial Contact: maria.moscoso@conchaytoro.cl



History
In 1883, Don Melchor Concha y Toro planted the first wine vines — sourced from the renowned Bordeaux region of France — at the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Pirque, just 27 kilometres from Santiago. That same year, he built the iconic Casona de Pirque, along with the winemaking and ageing cellars of the time.

A century later, Eduardo Guilisasti Tagle, then President of Viña Concha y Toro, encouraged his son Rafael and the winery’s winemaker at the time, Goetz Von Gersdorff, to travel to Bordeaux to meet the renowned French master Émile Peynaud and present to him the Cabernet Sauvignon from the Puente Alto vineyard, located on the north bank of the Maipo River, just 4 kilometres from the Casona de Pirque. Peynaud immediately recognised the excellence of these wines and suggested that the prestigious Bordeaux consultant Jacques Boissenot should lead the project. Thus, Don Melchor was born, named after the winery’s founder, with its first vintage released in 1987.

Don Melchor is regarded as Chile’s first icon wine and a true global benchmark. It embodies an unwavering pursuit of excellence and perfection in every vintage.

This wine originates from an exceptional terroir, at the foot of the majestic Andes Mountains. Here, Enrique Tirado — CEO, Technical Director of Viña Don Melchor, and guardian of the vineyard — leads with dedication the commitment to preserve its legacy for future generations, seeking to express the essence of the place in the purest and most extraordinary way.

Don Melchor honours a century-old, pre-phylloxera Cabernet Sauvignon, considered a true world-class viticultural heritage. Its deep connection to the land is reflected in sustainable agroecological management, guided by respect for life and biodiversity.

Through meticulous vineyard micro-management, the unique expression of each plot is brought to life, allowing the terroir to speak for itself. The artistry of its blend captures the very essence of Don Melchor: the perfect union of origin, tradition, and excellence.

Vineyard
Situated at the foot of the Andes Mountains, the Don Melchor vineyard lies on the north bank of the Maipo River, at 650 metres above sea level. It covers 125 hectares, of which 93% is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon — divided into seven plots — 5% with Cabernet Franc, 1% with Merlot, and the remaining 1% with Petit Verdot.

The oldest vines are 46 years old, with an average age of 39 years in the oldest plots. This terroir has exceptional characteristics that allow for the production of a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon such as Don Melchor. Its unique identity stems from the combination of the diverse alluvial soils of Puente Alto and the Andean climate — factors that lend the wine unparalleled complexity, freshness, and elegance.

• Published Wines 2025
• Published Wines 2024