The history of wine in Chile began around 1550 somewhat after its discovery and conquest. Writers of the period spoke of the first planting of vines for the wine production immediately after Pedro de Valdivia took possession of the Chilean territory in the name of the King of Spain. As a result, Chile was more than a century ahead of South Africa in establishing its first vineyards, and became the first wine producer in the new world, some 200 years before California.

Although the growth of wine-making in Chile during the colonial period was as slow as the evolution of society it self, towards the end of the 18th century the first shipments of wine to other American countries were made from the port of Valparaiso. Around that time, land that would later belong to Viña Santa Rita began to be used for grape growing. These land were also the stage for significant historic events associated with the independence of Chile. National heroes such as general Bernardo O'Higgins one of the founding fathers of the Chilean Nation, found safe harbor there after battling the forces of the Spanish crown.

In the middle of the 19th century, once the republic had been established, a decisive change in the Chilean wine producing sector came about. Until that time, colonial methods of land use had been employed.

Some visionaries, among them Don Domingo Fernández, a distinguished politician, founded Viña Santa Rita in 1880 and promoted the introduction of the finest French vine stocks. Following the advice of expert French penologists, he began producing wines with techniques and with results far superior to those traditionally achieved.

Chile was not affected by the devastating phylloxera plague that affected vineyards in Europe. On the contrary, it provided an ideal environment for foreign grapes, especially those of Cabernet Sauvignon stock. Chilean soil is probably the best place in the world to grow Cabernets. The new Chilean wine began to appear on European markets in 1877, winning important awards and the praise and recognition of wine experts.

During those years Chilean wines became well known, and Viña Santa Rita established itself as a modern wine producing enterprise. At the same time, it became known as an important cultural, political and spiritual center. The imposing manor house and its splendid park still retain echoes of many magnificent receptions, memories of important visitors, and many of the themes which inspired prominent Chilean artists of the time. These were also the days of Don Vicente Garcia-Huidobro, the second owner of the vineyard, son-in-law of the founder, and whose Spanish title of nobility is still kept on the labels of Santa Rita wines in memory of his work and remarkable achievements.

In 1980, a group of prestigious entrepreneurs, led by Don Ricardo Claro Valdés, acquire 50% of Viña Santa Rita, buying the remaining 50% eight years later.

Maipo Valley

Alto Jahuel, Santa Rita's main property, is located at the foot of the Los Andes Mountain Range in the Maipo Valley - 40 kilometers from Santiago. Climate is Mediterranean and semi-arid. The valley shows warm dry summers, non-rainy falls, mild winters and non-frost springs. In addition, it features thermal oscillations between day and night and a 380-mm average rainfall per year, which concentrate between April and September.
The above, plus its fertile deep and generous soils allow this area to be considered as one of the best for vine cultivation worldwide, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon stock. With a 700-hectare cultured area (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc), Santa Rita is the Maipo Valley's largest vineyard.
Santa Rita has gained a reputation among experts due to the quality of its wines, which result from a combination of factors like plantations located on hill bases showing gradients ranging between 3 and 6 percent. Soil, enhanced by the Los Andes Mountains located around the vineyards, is sandy but rather heavy and alkaline due to calcium ionic deposits accumulated from the Maipo River.

Casablanca Valley

Eighty kilometers west of Santiago and near the Pacific Ocean, the Casablanca Valley offers ideal conditions for a slow ripening, making it possible for grapes to keep their flavor and intense aroma. The valley has a warm climate, although light winds coming from the seashore during spring and summer evenings decrease temperatures. Rainfall is concentrated between May and September, with a 450-mm yearly average. Soils have an alluvial origin with a fine sandy texture, a low moisture retention capacity and a very poor natural fertility. These climate and soil conditions represent the ideal ecosystem for producing very specific vinestocks like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Santa Rita owns 120 hectares in this valley.

Rapel Valley

Located 160 kilometers south of Santiago, Santa Rita has a modern wine producing plant in the locality of Palmilla, adjacent to 260 vineyard hectares. Plantations mainly include the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. The Cordillera de la Costa (Seashore Mountains) reduces the sea influence, creating unique climate conditions that support the production of deeply colored red wines showing great body and fruity flavor.
Because of the high temperatures prevailing in the area, harvest in the Rapel Valley takes place before that of the Maipo Valley. Annual precipitation is 700 mm and occurs between May and September. Soils are fertile and show medium depth and moderate permeability.

Lontué Valley

The Lontué Valley is located 200 kilometers south of Santiago. Soils have an alluvial origin and show medium depth and a clayey texture. Its sub-humid Mediterranean climate with regular winter rainfall (over 600 mm per year) usually occurs after a long dry sunny summer, representing optimum conditions for relatively cold wine cultures. Some of the best of Santa Rita's Sauvignon Blancs are produced here.

Domingo Fernández Concha founded the Viña Santa Rita cellars in 1880. French technology was imported for their construction.
The company currently has a total of four cellars for the wine producing process located in Alto Jahuel, Los Lirios, Palmilla and Lontué.

French and American oak barrels are used in the aging cellars, where wine acquires complexity and body, with a woody flavor and a soft and delicate aroma. One of Chile's oldest aging cellars is located in Alto Jahuel (Buin.) Viña Santa Rita's best wines, like Casa Real and Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon for export are aged in the cave of this storehouse. This cellar was built with stone masonry by French architects and has been declared a National Monument.

Santa Rita plays a leading role in the Chilean wine industry, combining modern technology throughout its winemaking, a large installed capacity for aging wine and the expertise mastered through years of wine producing.

In the past few years, Santa Rita has invested in new technology, such as the latest horizontal pneumatic press technology, stainless steel vats, with temperature control systems and spira-flow equipment to control grape temperature before fermentation.

These innovations have propelled Santa Rita to the forefront in top class wine production, receiving international recognition for the quality of its wines.