Santiago, Chile, will host The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 awards ceremony on 18 November at Viña Don Melchor, located within the Viña Concha y Toro Wine Centre in Pirque. The selection of Viña Don Melchor as Official Venue Partner recognizes Chile's remarkable development in wine tourism and will showcase the country to a global audience as one of the world's leading wine tourism destinations.
The 50 Best Vineyards, formerly known as The World's 50 Best Vineyards, makes its Chilean debut through the commitment of the Official Host Partner, Government of Santiago, its Regional Corporation, and the Official Partner, Grupo Liderazgo. The event will bring together leading figures from wine, gastronomy, hospitality, and travel for a week-long programme, culminating in the awards ceremony. The rankings and awards are organized and published by William Reed.
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. Chile continues to set the standard through innovation, authenticity and a deep connection to its winemaking heritage, making Santiago the perfect host destination for this year's awards."
The selection of Santiago as host region reflects the consolidation of a long-term strategy driven by the national wine industry, regional governments, tourism and international promotion authorities, and a wide range of public and private stakeholders committed to positioning Chile among the world's leading wine destinations. In recent years, Chile has strengthened its wine tourism offering through investments in infrastructure, hospitality, gastronomy, culture, and wine-related experiences, raising industry standards and expanding its international recognition.
Claudio Orrego, Governor of Santiago, commented, "We are filled with deep pride that an organization of The 50's standing has chosen Santiago for its grand debut in Chile. 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. Santiago is the main gateway to wine tourism in our country; a unique setting where urban energy and winemaking tradition come together to create a grand symphony in the Maipo Valley."
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, The 50 Best Vineyards, thus making our dream come true. This is an invitation to all to visit and know not only our recognized valleys, which house the best strains such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère, but also our products that come from the land and coasts of Chile, and that can be enjoyed with the best Chilean wines in the seafood restaurants and vineyards located in Santiago."
Isabel Guilisasti, Vice President of Fine Wines and Corporate Image at Viña Concha y Toro, stated, "Santiago de Chile's role as host of The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 sends a highly positive signal regarding the international projection of our wine and tourism industries. In recent years, the country has made a determined commitment to strengthening its wine tourism offering, raising standards in visitor experience, hospitality and infrastructure. Bringing this international community together in Santiago represents a unique opportunity to showcase the quality of our wines, the richness of our territories and the level of development achieved by Chilean wine tourism."
Enrique Tirado, CEO and Technical Director of Viña Don Melchor, highlighted the significance of this selection: "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. It is an honor to welcome the industry's most influential global figures to the birthplace of Don Melchor and share the excellence of our origin. Beyond our own story, this will be a privileged opportunity to showcase to the world the quality, diversity and sophistication that distinguish the Chilean wine industry, and specifically Maipo Valley today."
Viña Don Melchor, located in the Maipo Valley's Puente Alto appellation, is renowned for its iconic Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery opened Casa Don Melchor in 2025 as part of a significant investment in Chilean wine tourism, offering luxury experiences that combine wine, heritage, architecture, gastronomy, and hospitality. The venue's selection underscores the growing international recognition of Chile as a world-class wine tourism destination.
The 50 Best Vineyards provides an annual snapshot of the opinions and experiences of more than 700 travel and wine tourism experts. The awards ceremony is a premier live event attended by influential opinion leaders, vineyard owners, and media from around the world. Hosting the event in Santiago is expected to boost Chile's global profile, attract wine tourists, and validate the country's efforts to elevate its wine and tourism industries.
