Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery

Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery is the third largest exporter of bottled wine in Chile.[1] It was created in 1993 as subsidiary of Concha y Toro Winery.

Viña Cono Sur
LocationChile
Founded1993 (29 years ago)
Parent companyConcha y Toro Company
Websiteconosur.com

Its name is a reference to its location in South America's Southern Cone. It is also a play on words, sounding like connoisseur. In 2015 it was the official wine of the Tour de France.[2]

Pinot noir project

In 1999, Cono Sur started the "Pinot noir project," vinifying according to the traditions of the Burgundy region of France where the variety originates. Martin Prieur, an experienced Pinot noir winemaker and native of Burgundy, has helped the winery to select Chilean terroirs advised on optimum vineyard management.[3]

Sustainable agriculture

In 1998, Cono Sur began transitioning from traditional to sustainable agriculture, a system that favors the use of natural alternatives to fertilize, prevent and control pests, diseases and weeds. The idea was to avoid the use of non-natural substances as much as possible and rather use geese, sheep, insects and plants.

Organic agriculture

An organic wine is basically a wine made from organically grown grapes, meaning they were farmed and harvested entirely without the use of man-made chemicals, whether in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides. For some years now, Cono Sur has promoted the organic wine production in Chile.

In 1999, Cono Sur began its organic viticulture project with 40 hectares (99 acres) of Chimbarongo vineyards in the Colchagua Valley. In 2003, after the necessary three-year transition period, it produced its first wine – a Cabernet Sauvignon / Carménère – made from organically grown grapes, certified by BCS Oeko Garantie GMBH Germany. In 2009, the three varieties that were part of the sustainable agriculture range (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot noir) became part of Cono Sur's organic wine range, after obtaining the organic certification.

Vineyards

Cono Sur has vineyards in several valleys along the country:

Limarí Valley (Chardonnay, Viognier, Carmenere, Syrah).[4]

Aconcagua Valley (Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.)[5]

Casablanca Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminner, Pinot noir, Merlot.)[6]

San Antonio Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Merlot, Syrah.)[7]

Maipo Valley (Pinot noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon.)[8]

Cachapoal Valley (Riesling, Merlot, Malbec, Carmenere, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon).[9]

Colchagua Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Pinot noir, Merlot, Malbec, Carmenere, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon).[10]

Curicó Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot noir, Malbec.)[11]

Maule Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier, Pinot noir, Merlot, Carmenere, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon.)[12]

Bío-Bío Valley (Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot noir.)[13]

Winery

Cono Sur’s main winery is located in Chimbarongo, in Colchagua Valley.

In 1999, Cono Sur inaugurated an annex winery especially designed for the vinification of Pinot noir, where the ancient Burgundian winemaking traditions blend with New World forefront technology. In 2009, another 530,000-litre capacity cellar was built, which will be exclusively for premium Pinot noir wines.

Other brands

Cono Sur also produces the brand Isla Negra Wines, which is mainly exported to Europe.

References
  1. "Viñas Concha y Toro, San Pedro y Cono Sur concentran 33% de las exportaciones de vino".
  2. "Chile's Cono Sur extends Tour de France partnership". harpers.co.uk. February 18, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  3. Toledo, Clarissa (2021-04-23). "CONO SUR VINEYARD IS CERTIFIED AS B - CORP COMPANY". Conosur (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  4. "Where to buy Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Syrah, Limari Valley | prices & local stores in USA". Wine-Searcher. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  5. "Cono Sur Organic Pinot Noir | Vivino". www.vivino.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  6. "Where to buy Cono Sur Reserva Especial Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley | prices & local stores in USA". Wine-Searcher. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  7. "Where to buy Cono Sur Organic Sauvignon Blanc, San Antonio Valley | prices & local stores in USA". Wine-Searcher. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  8. "2017 Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon | Vivino". www.vivino.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  9. "2017 Cono Sur Reserva Especial Carmenère | Vivino". www.vivino.com. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  10. admin (2017-07-07). "VALLEYS & Winery". Conosur (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  11. "2018 Curico Valley Pinot Noir Vi%F1a Cono Sur". Pinnacle Wine & Liquor. Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  12. Toledo, Clarissa (2019-05-08). "Harvest Report 2019". Conosur (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-09-25.
  13. admin (2017-07-07). "VALLEYS & Winery". Conosur (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-09-25.
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