History

Since its foundation in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errázuriz, Viña Errázuriz has been dedicated to a philosophy of excellence and innovation. Today, this family tradition continues, exploring new appellations in the Aconcagua Valley and constantly improving its winemaking techniques, with the mission of making Chile a world-class wine producer.

With more than 150 years of history, this pioneering spirit has endured for six generations, with Viña Errázuriz becoming the benchmark for quality and image of fine wines in Chile, recognized by critics worldwide.

History

Welcome to Viña Errázuriz

Don Maximiano Errázuriz chose the Aconcagua Valley to found Viña Errázuriz in 1870, when no one imagined its natural benefits as a terroir.

We invite you to visit some of the milestones that have marked Viña Errázuriz's 150-year history.

1870

THE FOUNDATION

Rafael Errázuriz, the son of Don Maximiano, took over the administration of the winery. During this period the total area of planted vineyards increased to 1,300 hectares, making the vineyard the largest in the world in the hands of a single owner.

1873

THE FOUNDATION

Viña Errázuriz launched its first wine. Already at this time Viña Errázuriz had 300 hectares, irrigation canals and vines imported from France. Together with the winery, Don Maximiano built a villa, which was baptised as Villa Errázuriz which had a church, a school and houses for the workers.

1890

THE EXPANSION

1906

CONTINÚA EL LEGADO FAMILIAR

On August 16, the Valparaíso earthquake occurred, with an intensity of 7.9° on the Richter scale, which damaged part of the winery's cellars, including the underground warehouses. During the following decade, intense repair work was carried out which also meant the renovation of the bottling room.

1909

THE FAMILY LEGACY CONTINUES

En 1909, Leonor, sobrina nieta de Rafael, se casa con Alejandro Chadwick, productor de vinos finos en uno de los más prestigiosos valles de Chile, el Valle del Maipo, uniendo así los dos más prestigiosos valles de Chile para la producción de vinos finos. Alfonso Chadwick, uno de sus hijos, es el padre de Eduardo Chadwick, actual dueño de Viña Errázuriz.

1983

EDUARDO CHADWICK AND HIS VISION OF QUALITY WINES

Eduardo Chadwick joins the winery in 1983, continuing with Don Maximiano's vision of producing quality wines and with the strong conviction of positioning Chile as a world-class appellation. For this, he traveled to Bordeaux to study Oenology with Emile Peinaud, father of French viticulture.

1993

PIONEERS IN PLANTING SYRAH IN CHILE

With the spirit and visionary vocation of its founder, Viña Errázuriz is one of the pioneering wineries in Chile to plant Syrah vineyards. The Mediterranean climate of the Aconcagua Valley has allowed this variety to thrive extraordinarily well, with expressions that vary from mountain range to coast.

2004

THE QUEST FOR RECOGNITION

Inspired by 'The Judgement of Paris' in 1976, Viña Errázuriz decided to carry out a blind tasting, one of the most professional and impartial ways of presenting and qualifying wines. The tasting took place in 2004 in Berlin, with the wine legend Steven Spurrier. Europe's most respected judges tasted historic vintages of First Growths Super Tuscans from Italy and Grand Crus from Bordeaux, France. The result was surprising. Two wines from the same group won first and second place and Don Maximiano was listed as one of the ten best wines in the world. The Berlin tasting became a milestone not only for Viña Errázuriz, but for the entire Chilean industry, empirically verifying that Chilean wines were up to the standards of prestigious fine wines in the world, raising Chile's image as a world-class producer.

This important milestone was followed by 10 years of blind tastings around the world, with the support of Steven Spurrier. 22 events in 18 markets around the world, with more than 1,400 experts from the wine industry, were carried out, in which Chile was among the first 3 places in 20 of the 22 events, reaching an impressive 90% of the preferences, demonstrating enormous consistency. Don Maximiano obtained first place in 5 of these events, becoming the wine that obtained first place the most times.

2010

INAUGURATION OF THE DON MAXIMIANO ICON WINERY

Viña Errázuriz inaugurates the Don Maximiano Icon Winery, a new milestone in the production of fine wines, with the aim of positioning Chile as a world-class wine producer. Built under a sustainable philosophy and efficient use of energy, it was mentioned by Jancis Robinson and Hugh Johnson in the 7th edition of the Atlas of Wine in 2013 as a reference of modern and sustainable production of the New World.

2012

VIÑA ERRÁZURIZ PROMOTES THE NEW ACONCAGUA COSTA APPELLATION

Thanks to the initiative of Viña Errázuriz, which was the first to plant vines and develop the coastal area of the Aconcagua Valley – an area with a cool climate, maritime influence and slate soils – a new Chilean appellation, Aconcagua Costa, was born and recognized by Chilean Wine Legislation in 2012.

2017

THE BEST VINEYARD IN CHILE

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Extraordinary Winery Awards recognized Viña Errázuriz as the Best Winery in Chile.

2018

A LIFE DEDICATED TO THE RECOGNITION OF CHILEAN WINES

Eduardo Chadwick was chosen as Man of the Year by Decanter for dedicating his life to the service of fine wine and his excellence in the wine world.

FIRST 98 ROBERT PARKER POINTS FOR A CHILEAN WINE

For the first time in the history of Robert Parker, a Chilean wine obtains 98 points: Las Pizarras Chardonnay 2017, was awarded best Chilean wine, a milestone for the Chilean wine industry.

2020

VIÑA ERRÁZURIZ CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF HISTORY AND OPENS ITS FAMILY CELLAR

Viña Errázuriz celebrates 150 years of history with a special edition of Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2017 vintage and MAX, which represents our visionary spirit over six generations. It also opens up its family cellar of historic vintages. Preserved in excellent condition, each vintage reflects the style and technological resources available in each decade since 1983.