Chile’s iconic winery Viña Don Melchor will host the 2026 edition of The 50 Best Vineyards awards on November 18 in Pirque, near Chile’s capital, Santiago. The ceremony will take place at the Viña Concha y Toro Wine Centre, marking the event’s first edition in Chile.
Organized by British media and events company William Reed, The 50 Best Vineyards is an annual ranking highlighting winery and vineyard tourism experiences around the world. It draws on the views of more than 700 travel and wine tourism experts, considering not only the wines but also each destination’s history, culture, architecture, landscape, dining and visitor experience.
Rikki Tidball, managing director of events for The 50 Best Vineyards, said Chile’s internationally recognized wine quality and regional diversity made it an ideal destination for this year’s ceremony.
“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. Chile continues to set the standard through innovation, authenticity and a deep connection to its winemaking heritage, making Santiago the perfect host destination for this year’s awards,” he said.
In recent years, Chile has invested in wine tourism infrastructure, dining and cultural attractions, seeking to translate its strengths as a wine producer into visitor experiences and strengthen its competitiveness as an international wine tourism destination.
Isabel Guilisasti, vice president of fine wines and corporate image at Viña Concha y Toro, Don Melchor’s parent company, said hosting the event would provide an international platform for Chile’s wine and tourism industries.
“Santiago de Chile’s role as host of The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 sends a highly positive signal regarding the international projection of our wine and tourism industries. In recent years, the country has made a determined commitment to strengthening its wine tourism offering, raising standards in visitor experience, hospitality and infrastructure. Bringing this international community together in Santiago represents a unique opportunity to showcase the quality of our wines, the richness of our territories and the level of development achieved by Chilean wine tourism,” she said.
For Don Melchor, the event also offers an opportunity to show how it is extending its fine wine brand into tourism.
Located in Puente Alto in the Maipo Valley, Don Melchor is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Its premium tourism offering, Casa Don Melchor, opens the estate’s historic residence and gardens to visitors, with experiences including private tastings, food and wine pairings, and blending sessions.
The 19th-century residence once served as the summer home of Concha y Toro founder Melchor de Concha y Toro and his family. The house and Concha y Toro Park were designated national historic monuments in 1971. By combining historic architecture, gardens and wine experiences, the estate introduces visitors to Don Melchor’s winemaking philosophy through its history and the character of its growing region.
The estate also turns its winemakers’ work with individual vineyard parcels and blending into activities visitors can try themselves. The Don Melchor vineyard comprises seven principal parcels. Its “The Art of Blending” experience invites guests to taste wines from different parcels under professional guidance, learn how each contributes to the flavor and structure of the finished wine, and create their own blend.
The experience brings technical aspects of vineyard management and winemaking into a visitor-friendly setting. Rather than simply tasting the finished wine, guests can explore how grapes from different parcels contribute to its complexity and balance.
The winery also offers vertical tastings, allowing visitors to compare Don Melchor across several vintages. Experiences are generally available by appointment for small groups. Depending on the program, visits may include a tour, wine tasting, cheese pairings or a wine-paired menu.
Enrique Tirado, CEO and technical director of Viña Don Melchor, said the selection recognized Chile’s achievements in wine while giving the estate an opportunity to showcase its origins.
“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. It is an honour to welcome the industry’s most influential global figures to the birthplace of Don Melchor and share the excellence of our origin,” he said.
“Beyond our own story, this will be a privileged opportunity to showcase to the world the quality, diversity and sophistication that distinguish the Chilean wine industry, and specifically Maipo Valley today.”
The event is expected to bring together international figures from the wine, food, hospitality and tourism industries. For Chile, it offers an opportunity to raise the international profile of its wine regions and tourism experiences. For Don Melchor, it provides a platform to showcase its business model combining fine wine with destination experiences.
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