Espaldares del Maipo, an emerging, family-owned vineyard with a pisco tradition, burst onto the international scene after being recognized as the best vineyard at the prestigious Catad’Or World Wine Awards 2024, the most important wine and spirits competition in Latin America.
Viña Espaldares del Maipo, an emerging, family-run winery with a pisco tradition, burst onto the international scene after be recognized as the best vineyard in the prestigious Catad’Or World Wine Awards 2024, the most important wine and spirits competition in Latin America. This recognition marks a before and after for Chilean boutique vineyards, positioning Espaldares del Maipo as a benchmark of quality and excellence.
Boutique vineyards are those that have fewer hectares for their work, therefore, their production is lower compared to large vineyards, as is the case of Concha y Toro. In that sense, most of the time these are exclusive, high-quality wines.
In a contest that brought together 80 outstanding jurors from 18 countries, Espaldares del Maipo not only won the highest award, but also swept the medals, winning grand gold and gold in most of the samples presented in key categories that highlight its versatility and mastery in the production of wines and spirits.
This victory becomes even more important Being the first time that a Chilean boutique winery manages to win the main prize of the contest, thus raising the prestige of emerging wineries in a country recognized worldwide for its oenological wealth.
“Winning this award as a boutique and family vineyard is recognition of the permanent effort and passion we put into each bottle. “We not only make wines, we create stories that reflect the unique character of our terroir and our pisco tradition,” he stated. Fernando Antonio Bou Ruiz-Aburtofounder of the Espaldares del Maipo vineyard.
The Catad’Or awards have become a space to honor the wines and spirits of our country, highlighting that the characteristics of Chile are unique in the area to conceive superior products with high quality standards, in order to delight to all lovers and fans of the wine world.
The impact of the Espaldares del Maipo vineyard transcends wines, also consolidating itself in the world of distillates. Its Pisco Bou Legado Roble 40° was awarded the Great Gold Medal, the highest recognition in its category, highlighting its excellence in distillation. This achievement adds to the milestones reached in the previous edition, where Gran Pisco Bou Legado 46° was recognized as the Best Spirit and the Best Aged Pisco 2023, reaffirming the vineyard’s commitment to quality and innovation in each product.
With this success, Viña Espaldares del Maipo consolidates itself as an ambassador of
Chilean excellence, demonstrating that size does not define greatness. This recognition
international not only positions it within the select group of the best vineyards in Chile,
but reaffirms its potential to lead the new generation of Chilean oenology in the
world stage.
In 2007, on the trellises that border the Maipo River, the founders of the vineyard planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere vines, which they took care of during their development, only allowing them to obtain our first harvest in 2012.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Fernando. We’re thrilled to talk about the recent success of Viña Espaldares del Maipo at the Catad’Or World Wine Awards 2024. As the founder of this remarkable vineyard, how does it feel to receive such recognition?
Fernando Antonio Bou Ruiz-Aburto: Thank you for having me! Winning the title of best vineyard at the Catad’Or is incredibly rewarding, not just for me personally but for our whole family and team. It’s a testament to the hard work and passion we put into every bottle we create. This recognition truly reflects the unique character of our terroir and our commitment to quality.
Time.news Editor: It’s fascinating to hear how deeply personal the win is for you. For our readers who might not be familiar, can you explain what sets boutique vineyards like Espaldares del Maipo apart from larger wineries, such as Concha y Toro?
Fernando Antonio Bou Ruiz-Aburto: Absolutely. Boutique vineyards, like ours, typically operate on a smaller scale, which allows us to emphasize quality over quantity. This means our production is limited, but we focus on crafting exclusive, high-quality wines. Each bottle tells a story, revealing the authenticity of our vineyard’s character and our pisco traditions. It’s a labor of love where every detail matters.
Time.news Editor: That’s such a compelling perspective! Winning both grand gold and gold medals across several categories at the awards must have been a thrilling experience. What do you think contributed to this level of success for your wines?
Fernando Antonio Bou Ruiz-Aburto: The success can be attributed to a combination of factors. First and foremost is our exceptional terroir—our location in the Maipo Valley lends itself to producing unique flavors. Secondly, we’ve invested time in honing our craft and exploring innovative methods while respecting traditional techniques. Our team’s dedication to producing versatile wines and spirits has certainly paid off, as evidenced by our standing in such a competitive judging environment with jurors from 18 countries.
Time.news Editor: It’s remarkable to see a Chilean boutique winery achieve such international acclaim for the first time. How do you think this win will influence the reputation of Chilean emerging wineries as a whole?
Fernando Antonio Bou Ruiz-Aburto: This victory is monumental for boutique wineries across Chile. It positions us as a benchmark of quality and excellence, signaling to consumers and industry professionals that emerging wineries can compete on a global stage. We hope it inspires more small producers to push the boundaries of quality and creativity, and that it raises awareness about the diversity within our wine regions.
Time.news Editor: It certainly seems to be a pivotal moment. You mentioned earlier about creating stories through your wines. Could you share a specific story or inspiration behind one of your products that resonates with you?
Fernando Antonio Bou Ruiz-Aburto: Certainly! One of our flagship wines is inspired by my family’s heritage and the natural landscape surrounding our vineyard. We draw upon the native flora and fauna, and each season we experience informs our winemaking. For instance, our “Reserva” reflects the unique tasting notes of our soil and climate—it’s a blend that embodies the essence of the Maipo Valley. It’s not just about the wine; it’s about sharing the cultural richness and history of our land with those who enjoy it.
Time.news Editor: That’s beautiful and quite poetic, Fernando. As a final thought, what advice would you give to aspiring winemakers who dream of achieving similar success in the wine industry?
Fernando Antonio Bou Ruiz-Aburto: My advice would be to stay true to your roots. Focus on the quality and authenticity of what you produce—remind yourself why you started. Always be curious and willing to learn from both failures and successes. The journey in winemaking is as rich and rewarding as the bottle itself. Embrace your unique story and let it shine through your creations.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much for sharing your insights and passion with us today, Fernando. We’re looking forward to following the journey of Espaldares del Maipo and its continued contributions to the world of wine!
Fernando Antonio Bou Ruiz-Aburto: Thank you for the opportunity! It’s been a pleasure sharing our story. Cheers to the future!