Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery

Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery is a Chilean wine producer established in 1993 and operating as a subsidiary of Viña Concha y Toro S.A. Its name refers to the Southern Cone of South America and also suggests the idea of a connoisseur. The winery's principal facility is in Chimbarongo in the Colchagua Valley, while its vineyards and sourcing network extend across several of Chile's major wine regions, including Limarí, Aconcagua, Casablanca, San Antonio, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curicó, Maule, and Bío-Bío. The company developed an international profile through bottled-wine exports and a portfolio spanning both widely distributed varietal wines and more premium offerings. Its principal grape varieties include Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Syrah, Riesling, Viognier, Malbec, and Gewürztraminer. Pinot Noir has been especially central to the brand's identity. In 1999, Cono Sur began a dedicated Pinot Noir project designed to adapt Burgundian traditions to Chilean terroirs. The project involved guidance from Martin Prieur, a Burgundy-based Pinot Noir winemaker, in selecting sites and refining vineyard and winemaking practices. A dedicated Pinot Noir winery annex opened the same year, and a further cellar with a stated capacity of 530,000 litres was built in 2009 for premium Pinot Noir production. Sustainability and organic production are other defining elements of the brand. Cono Sur began shifting from conventional agricultural methods toward sustainable agriculture in 1998, emphasizing natural approaches to fertilization and the management of pests, diseases, and weeds. Its stated practices include the use of geese, sheep, beneficial insects, and plants as alternatives or complements to synthetic agricultural inputs. The winery launched an organic viticulture project in 1999 with 40 hectares in Chimbarongo in the Colchagua Valley. Following the required conversion period, its first certified organically grown wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère blend, was produced in 2003. In 2009, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir from its sustainable range were incorporated into its organic wine range after certification. Cono Sur has also used sports and international partnerships to build awareness. In 2015, it served as the official wine of the Tour de France, linking the brand with one of the world's most prominent cycling events. The winery additionally produces Isla Negra Wines, a label primarily exported to European markets. Overall, Cono Sur combines Chilean regional breadth, export-oriented production, a strong Pinot Noir focus, and environmental positioning within the wider Concha y Toro group.

Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery was established in Chile in 1993. The name refers to the Southern Cone, the southern portion of South America, while also evoking the term connoisseur. From its beginning, the winery developed within the modern Chilean wine industry and pursued production for both domestic and international markets. It later became a subsidiary of Viña Concha y Toro S.A., one of Chile's major wine groups. The winery's production base is centered on Chimbarongo in the Colchagua Valley. Its broader vineyard network reaches across a wide range of Chilean valleys, allowing the company to work with different climates, soils, and grape varieties. The cited vineyard regions include Limarí, Aconcagua, Casablanca, San Antonio, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curicó, Maule, and Bío-Bío. This geographic spread supports a portfolio that includes cool-climate varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer, as well as warmer-climate and widely planted varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carménère, Syrah, Malbec, and Viognier. A major strategic development came in 1998, when Cono Sur began moving from traditional agriculture toward sustainable agriculture. The approach sought to reduce reliance on non-natural substances by using biological and ecological alternatives in vineyard management. The methods described for the winery include geese and sheep, along with insects and plants, to assist with weed, pest, and disease management. This sustainability focus became an important part of Cono Sur's brand identity rather than remaining solely an operational initiative. In 1999, the winery launched both a dedicated Pinot Noir project and an organic viticulture project. The Pinot Noir initiative aimed to produce wines using methods inspired by Burgundy, the variety's historic home, while adapting those methods to Chilean conditions. Martin Prieur, a Pinot Noir specialist from Burgundy, advised the winery on terroir selection and vineyard management. Cono Sur inaugurated a separate winery annex for Pinot Noir vinification in the same year, combining Burgundian winemaking traditions with modern New World technology. The organic project began with 40 hectares of vineyards in Chimbarongo. After a three-year conversion period, Cono Sur produced its first wine from organically grown grapes in 2003: a Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère wine certified by BCS Öko-Garantie GmbH in Germany. The winery continued to expand this work, and in 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir that had formed part of its sustainable agriculture range entered its organic wine range after obtaining organic certification. That same year, Cono Sur constructed a 530,000-litre cellar intended exclusively for premium Pinot Noir wines, reinforcing the variety's importance to its production strategy. Cono Sur's international presence has been built primarily through bottled-wine exports. The company is described as one of Chile's largest bottled-wine exporters, and its associated Isla Negra Wines brand is mainly exported to Europe. In 2015, Cono Sur became the official wine of the Tour de France, a high-profile sports association that extended its international marketing platform. The brand remains active as a Chilean producer within the Concha y Toro group, combining a broad regional supply base with a recognizable focus on Pinot Noir, organic production, sustainable agriculture, and export distribution.

• 2015

  Official wine of the Tour de France

  [1]Cono Sur Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Cono Sur becomes the official wine of the Tour de France.

• 2009

  Organic range expands and premium Pinot Noir cellar opens

  [1]Cono Sur Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir enter the organic range following certification, while a 530,000-litre cellar is built for premium Pinot Noir.

• 2003

  First certified organic wine is produced

  [1]Cono Sur Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  After the organic conversion period, Cono Sur produces a certified wine made from organically grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère grapes.

• 1999

  Pinot Noir project and organic viticulture project launch

  [1]Cono Sur Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Cono Sur starts a Burgundy-inspired Pinot Noir program, begins organic viticulture on 40 hectares in Chimbarongo, and opens a dedicated Pinot Noir vinification annex.

• 1998

  Transition toward sustainable agriculture begins

  [1]Cono Sur Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The winery begins shifting from traditional agricultural practices toward methods using natural and biological alternatives in vineyard management.

• 1993

  Cono Sur is established

  [1]Cono Sur Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery is founded in Chile and begins developing an export-oriented wine business.

An export-oriented Chilean wine brand positioned around accessible quality, Pinot Noir specialization, broad Chilean terroir coverage, and sustainability and organic viticulture.

• Red wine · 1999

  Pinot Noir

  Pinot Noir is a central part of Cono Sur's identity. The winery's dedicated project began in 1999 with the goal of applying traditional Burgundian methods to Chilean vineyards. The program used advice from Burgundy winemaker Martin Prieur, established a dedicated vinification annex, and later received a cellar specifically for premium Pinot Noir production. Pinot Noir is grown across several Chilean valleys in the company's vineyard network.

• White wine

  Sauvignon Blanc

  Sauvignon Blanc is one of Cono Sur's principal white-wine varieties and is cultivated in multiple Chilean regions, including Casablanca, San Antonio, Colchagua, Curicó, and Maule. It was among the varieties moved from the sustainable agriculture range into the certified organic wine range in 2009.

• Organic wine · 2003

  Organic wine range

  Cono Sur's organic range grew out of a viticulture project begun in 1999 on 40 hectares in Chimbarongo. Its first certified organic wine, released in 2003, was made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère. The range later incorporated certified Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.

• Red wine · 2003

  Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère organic wine

  This blend was Cono Sur's first wine made from organically grown grapes after the winery's three-year organic conversion period. It was certified by BCS Öko-Garantie GmbH in Germany and formed an early demonstration of the producer's organic viticulture strategy.

• Wine brand

  Isla Negra Wines

  Isla Negra Wines is an associated brand produced by Cono Sur. The brand is primarily exported to European markets, extending the group's international portfolio beyond the Cono Sur name.

• 2015Tour de France official wine partnership

  France · Europe · International

  Cono Sur served as the official wine of the Tour de France, connecting the brand with a major international cycling event and reinforcing its global promotional profile.

  Outcome. The partnership provided international sports visibility for the Chilean wine producer.

  Source

• 2009

  Expansion of organic range and premium Pinot Noir capacityGeneration change

  Background

  Following organic certification, Cono Sur had the opportunity to broaden the varieties represented in its organic portfolio while increasing specialized Pinot Noir capacity.

  Action taken

  Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir were added to the organic range, and the winery built a 530,000-litre cellar for premium Pinot Noir.

  Aftermath

  The measures strengthened both the organic portfolio and the winery's specialization in premium Pinot Noir.

  Source

• 1999

  Launch of the Pinot Noir projectProduct launch

  Background

  Pinot Noir had its historical origins in Burgundy, and Cono Sur aimed to produce a Chilean interpretation using traditional Burgundian methods.

  Action taken

  The winery sought Martin Prieur's guidance on Chilean terroirs and vineyard management and opened a dedicated Pinot Noir vinification annex.

  Aftermath

  Pinot Noir became one of the winery's defining varieties and later received dedicated premium production capacity.

  Source

• 1999

  Launch of organic viticulture programStrategy

  Background

  Cono Sur began developing organic production as an extension of its sustainability work in Chilean vineyards.

  Action taken

  The winery initiated organic cultivation on 40 hectares in Chimbarongo and began the required conversion process.

  Aftermath

  The program produced its first certified organic wine in 2003 and later expanded to additional varieties.

  Source

• 1998

  Shift toward sustainable agricultureStrategy

  Background

  Cono Sur sought to reduce dependence on non-natural vineyard inputs and develop more ecological methods for fertilization and the control of pests, diseases, and weeds.

  Action taken

  The winery began using sustainable agriculture practices that included natural or biological alternatives such as geese, sheep, insects, and plants.

  Aftermath

  The approach became a recurring part of Cono Sur's production and brand positioning.

  Source

1. 1Cono Sur Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org