Kono Sur "Eco-friendly Wine Also Has Superior Quality"

Interview with Matias Rios, Cono Sur Winemaker

Founded in 1993 with a focus on High Quality, Sustainability, and Innovation
World's First Carbon Emission 0% Certification in 2007
Number One Pinot Noir Producer in South America

"Eco-friendly and organic methods are not simply beneficial to the environment. They are also ways to enhance the quality of the final product, wine."

Matias Rios, Chief Winemaker of Cono Sur, emphasized in an interview with Asia Economy on the 5th that eco-friendly grape cultivation is a 'win-win' approach beneficial to both nature and humans.

Matias Rios, Cono Sur Chief Winemaker

Made from '0% Carbon Emission' Eco-friendly and Organic Grapes

Cono Sur, meaning 'Horn of the South' in Spanish, is a winery started in 1993 in the Chimbarongo area within the Colchagua Valley by Vi?a Concha y Toro, a leading Chilean wine company, under the three pillars of high quality, sustainability, and innovation. In the 1990s, when Cono Sur was established, the United States was the largest market for Chilean wineries, and discussions about eco-friendliness were active. Rios explained, "At that time, Concha y Toro judged that the premium wine market needed more than just delicious and good wine," adding, "Cono Sur was founded anticipating the future increase in demand for eco-friendly wines."

As a winery that emphasizes sustainability, Cono Sur was the first in the world to receive 0% carbon emission certification in 2007, highlighting its eco-friendly approach. Cars are prohibited in Cono Sur vineyards, so all employees use bicycles, and wine bottles are made lightweight to be easily transported by bike. Instead of using chemicals, flowers are planted between the vineyards to protect grapes from various pests, and geese are released to eat insects in the soil. Through these efforts, Cono Sur has received various eco-friendly production certifications from organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), recognizing its commitment.

Rios emphasized that eco-friendly and organic methods are beneficial not only to nature but also to humans in many ways. He said, "Operating the vineyard without using chemical fertilizers or herbicides helps keep the soil clean and benefits the health of the producers working in the vineyard." More importantly, he pointed out that eco-friendly methods are effective in enhancing the quality of the wine as the final product. He stated, "Grapes grown using eco-friendly and organic methods have more concentrated sugars, allowing for a variety of flavors and aromas in the wine," adding, "Since high-quality wine cannot be produced without high-quality grapes, we continuously emphasize and obsess over the quality of the vineyards."

Kono Sur, which emphasizes sustainability, prohibits the use of cars that emit carbon dioxide in the vineyard and uses bicycles instead.

"Chile Produces Diverse Wines from Various Terroirs"

Cono Sur produces various grape varieties across Chile, with Pinot Noir being the representative variety. Pinot Noir is a premium variety favored by wine enthusiasts for its delicate and elegant aroma and taste, but it is also a challenging variety to cultivate and vinify. Cono Sur chose to focus on the demanding Pinot Noir rather than Chile's representative varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon or Carmenere because it believed Pinot Noir best showcases Chile's diverse terroirs. Rios said, "One of the founding purposes of Cono Sur was to showcase Chile's diverse climates and terroirs," adding, "During the winery's preparation, we saw the potential when we found Pinot Noir vines planted around 1968 still thriving in Chimbarongo."

At that time, there was significant skepticism within Chile about Pinot Noir being unsuitable for Chilean terroirs. Rios explained, "There were no Pinot Noir experts in Chile, so we started with support from Domaine Jacques Prieur in Burgundy, France," adding, "After various trials, it has now grown into a wine that vividly expresses Chile's diversity." Cono Sur is currently the winery that produces the most Pinot Noir in South America.

Pinot Noir 'OCIO', the flagship product of Cono Sur

Rios also emphasized that the Casablanca Valley and San Antonio Valley are optimal regions for producing high-quality Pinot Noir. He explained, "Both regions have red clay soils that provide adequate drainage," adding, "Compared to the Old World, they receive abundant sunlight, and being coastal areas, the cool breeze from the Pacific Ocean provides a cooling effect that creates an environment where Pinot Noir can ripen well."

Rios did not forget to mention that the Korean market is an important market for Chilean wine and Cono Sur. Korea ranks 10th in total export value for Cono Sur but is the 3rd largest market for premium wines. Rios said, "Korean consumers probably first sought Chilean wine because of its cost-effectiveness, but as the market matures, Korean consumers seem to be shifting from simply seeking value for money to looking for complexity," adding, "It is encouraging that especially those who want to learn more about wine are increasingly choosing Pinot Noir."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.