Santiago, Chile, has been selected as the host region for The 50 Best Vineyards 2026 awards ceremony, with Viña Don Melchor named the Official Venue Partner. The ceremony will take place on 18 November at the winery’s facilities within the Viña Concha y Toro Wine Centre in Pirque. This marks the first time the internationally renowned event will be held in Chile, a development that highlights the country’s growing stature in global wine tourism.
The 50 Best Vineyards, formerly known as The World’s 50 Best Vineyards, is an annual ranking that showcases the finest winery and vineyard experiences worldwide, based on the opinions of more than 700 travel and wine tourism experts. Organised by William Reed, the event culminates in an awards ceremony attended by influential industry leaders, vineyard owners and media. Bringing this event to Santiago signals international recognition of Chile’s wine tourism sector, which has strengthened through investments in infrastructure, hospitality, gastronomy and cultural experiences.
The selection of Viña Don Melchor as the venue partner reflects the winery’s standing as one of South America’s leading luxury wine tourism destinations. Located in the Maipo Valley’s Puente Alto appellation, Viña Don Melchor is celebrated for its iconic Cabernet Sauvignon and offers exclusive experiences through Casa Don Melchor, combining wine, heritage, architecture and gastronomy. The venue, opened in 2025 as part of a significant investment in Chilean wine tourism, was designed to project Chilean wine culture internationally.
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.” Claudio Orrego, Governor of Santiago, expressed pride in the selection, noting that the region is progressing toward becoming the wine and tourism capital of South America. Max Raide, President of Grupo Liderazgo, described the event as a dream come true for Chileans and an invitation to discover the country’s recognised valleys and products.
Isabel Guilisasti, Vice President of Fine Wines and Corporate Image at Viña Concha y Toro, said the event sends a positive signal about the international projection of Chile’s wine and tourism industries. Enrique Tirado, CEO and Technical Director of Viña Don Melchor, called the selection recognition of Chile’s excellence as a producer of world-class wines and a leading wine tourism destination. He added that it is an honour to welcome the industry’s most influential global figures to the birthplace of Don Melchor and to showcase the quality and sophistication of Chilean wine, particularly from the Maipo Valley.
The event is supported by the Government of Santiago as Official Host Partner, its Regional Corporation, and Grupo Liderazgo as Official Partner. Over the course of a week, it will bring together leading figures from wine, gastronomy, hospitality and travel, providing a unique opportunity to showcase Chile’s wine regions, cultural heritage and collaborative efforts that have elevated its profile in global wine tourism.
