Santiago, Chile, has been selected to host The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 awards ceremony, marking the first time the prestigious event will be held in the country. Viña Don Melchor, located within the Viña Concha y Toro Wine Centre in Pirque, has been named the Official Venue Partner for the ceremony, which will take place on 18 November. The event is part of a week-long programme that will bring together leading figures from the worlds of wine, gastronomy, hospitality, and travel.
The selection of Santiago as host region reflects a long-term strategy by the Chilean wine industry, regional governments, tourism authorities, and private stakeholders to position Chile among the world's leading wine destinations. In recent years, Chile has invested significantly in infrastructure, hospitality, gastronomy, and wine-related experiences, raising industry standards and expanding international recognition. Rikki Tidball, Managing Director of Events for The 50 Best Vineyards, said, "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."
The ceremony will be held at Viña Don Melchor, which opened in 2025 as part of one of the most significant recent investments in Chilean wine tourism. The centre was designed to project Chilean wine culture internationally, combining heritage, wine, gastronomy, art, landscape, and world-class hospitality. Enrique Tirado, CEO and Technical Director of Viña Don Melchor, commented, "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."
Claudio Orrego, Governor of Santiago, expressed pride in the selection, stating, "Our region is making steady progress towards becoming the wine and tourism capital of South America, and hosting this international event strengthens our global leadership." Max Raide, President of Grupo Liderazgo, added, "For us as Chileans, it is of great pride to be hosting for the first time in Santiago the most important event in the wine world."
Isabel Guilisasti, Vice President of Fine Wines and Corporate Image at Viña Concha y Toro, noted that hosting the event sends a positive signal about the international projection of Chile's wine and tourism industries. The event is expected to showcase the quality of Chilean wines, the diversity of its wine regions, and the collaborative efforts that have raised the country's profile in global wine tourism. For the reader, this news underscores Chile's growing reputation as a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts and travelers, potentially boosting tourism and economic opportunities in the region.
