This visit is the fifth in Casa Donoso vineyard history. On this occasion the young sommeliers were accompanied by three Senior Sommeliers from the Sommelier School from Belgium. 

In coordination with TER GROENE POORTE BRUGGE – BELGIUM  (Sommelier School) and our importer in Belgium, Frank Matthys, we support the carrying out of this technical visit every two years so that future sommeliers can learn, from the ground up, how the wine market is organized and in particular how the market for the Casa Donoso vineyard is developed, becoming at the same time ambassadors of our vineyard and wines in their potential workplaces. 

The visit, which had a technical focus and was conducted by the vineyard oenologist, included an overview of management of the vines, the review of oenological and production processes, tastings of different wines in barrel storage rooms and a tasting of the new Clos Centenaire and 1810 wine harvests.

 ”Everything turned out very well and I hope that what this group of Sommeliers saw here will contribute to the development and presence of our wines in Belgian and Dutch restaurants, where this group will certainly work in the future”, said Felipe Ortiz, quite satisfied.

This year, of the twelve vineyards that were present, Casa Donoso vineyard was recognized by both the public and specialized press as the vineyard which best defined Carménère in the Maule Valley with the Bicentenario Gran Reserva and Reserva  Evolución lines.  Of the premium Carménère assamblages that were also presented, Clos Centenaire, 1810 and Perla Negra stood out.

Hundreds of people came to the Huilquilemu Cultural Villa to enjoy the wine tastings offered by the participating vineyards, associates of  the Wine Route of the Maule Valley, as well as the good food and music.

For Casa Donoso Vineyard this is an important step because the vineyard is at the heart of the Maule Valley and, now that is part of the association, can participate in different events held in this region and offer its services along the Maule Valley Wine Route.

The Maule Valley Wine Route participates annually in important and large-scale oenogastronomic events which are held in the region at a local level, such as Wine Boulevard, Carménè re Night, Maule Highlights and Estamos de Chancho Muerto, a classic gastronomic fair held every year in the Plaza de Armas of Talca, where famous chefs and cooks participate, along with members of the press and government officials from all over the country.

At the Chilevinos stand, Casa Donoso, the only vineyard present at the event, held tastings of all of its wines, which delighted the attending public.

Noted Chilean designers José Cardoch, Pato Moreno, Nicanor Bravo, Claudio Mansilla Monsalva, Rubinstein Novios and the international guest Ixora – Demetrius Kasak, an important brazilian designer, participated in the event, which was hosted by Vivi Kreutzberger and Macarena Venegas.

On this occasion Casa Donoso Vineyard participated in performing tastings and giving away bottles of wine as gifts to the first three winning places in seven competing categories.

The lucky winners received bottles of our Clos Centenaire and Bicentenario as awards.

 In addition, Black Pearl won two major awards and is one of the 13 best red blend (assembly) of the year and is positioned as one of the 12 best exponents of the Maule Valley.

 This important guide is held every year by the journalist Patricio Tapia, who along with sommelier Héctor Riquelme tasted more than 3 000 Chilean and Argentine wines.

 Descorchados 2012 is sold in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and this year for the first time in Mexico.

It is possible to see this interesting display at the Sala Matta in the Museum. Banco do Brasil and the Chilean Brazilian Chamber of Commerce invited their clients and members on two guided tours of the paintings with the curator of the show on October 5 and 6.

At this event, Casa Donoso Vineyard participated by giving all the guests the opportunity to taste its delightful and exclusive wines. Most of the wines were already well known due to the constant contact the Vineyard maintains with Brazil, through its direct importer and participation in important wine Brazilian fairs, like Expovinis, which was held this year in São Paulo.

This important and long-standing competition with a strong tradition has helped to spread knowledge of the quality and excellence of Chilean wines throughout the world, providing a seal that serves as a guide and represents the quality and high standards in the Chilean wine making industry.

Every year, Catad’Or W Santiago Wine Awards evaluates Chilean wines with a selected international jury represented by growing and attractive markets for the Chilean wine making industry, such as China, England, Mexico, the United States, Brazil and India, among others.

This jury is comprised of renowned and respected personalities in their own countries, creating publications, interviews and business contacts for the Chilean vineyards.

The tasting sessions last for three days and are performed blind. Depending on its final score, the wine is awarded with a “Silver Medal”, “Gold Medal” or “Great Gold Medal”.

The blind tasting was held at Santa Cruz, Colchagua Valley, between last September 2 and 9, where the jury visited the different wine making valleys located between Valparaíso and Santa Cruz to carry out the tastings and the award ceremony.

This competition is a worldwide standard for wines and spirits quality. With its base in Brussels, it has been held in Portugal, Holland, France, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, China, Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is run by an independent, exacting and experienced organization, comprised of a professional jury with oenologists, sommeliers, buyers and specialized reporters, who carry out blind tastings of the participating products under the most rigorous rules.

Every year the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles – Chile,  assembles 10 invited jurors from America, Asia and Europe, who, along with 10 Chilean jurors, select the best among more than 70 Chilean wine and spirits companies.