South American winery Santa Rita has announced its inclusion in La Place de Bordeaux for European, Asian and Canadian markets with the release of the exceptional 2018 Casa Real Reserva Especial.

Bordeaux, September 30, 2021.- Viña Santa Rita, one of Chile’s most venerable wine estates, has revealed Casa Real Reserva Especial joined the great wines of France on the prestigious La Place de Bordeaux. This exciting news marks a significant step forward in building more international recognition for one of the country’s most emblematic and respected wines. Distribution of Casa Real Reserva Especial through La Place de Bordeaux will start from September 2021, directed to the European, Asian and Canadian markets, excluding the US and South America.

Santa Rita’s Casa Real Reserva Especial is steeped in romantic 19th century heritage and modern wine ambitions. Founded in 1880, the winery was acquired 100 years later by the Claro Group, who challenged the vineyard and winemaking teams to develop a great Chilean wine that honoured this national treasure, but also reflected their ambitions to take the estate to a new level of precision and prestige.

Viña Santa Rita’s Chairman, Baltazar Sánchez, who recently met with Bordeaux Negociants, explained, “This was a dream of Ricardo Claro, who 40 years ago challenged the Santa Rita team and the winemakers to create this wine, Casa Real, as a faithful exponent of the best terroir in Chile for Cabernet Sauvignon, able to stand side-by-side with the best wines of the world. It was the original concept behind the creation of Casa Real more than 30 years ago. This shared vision is now being fulfilled by this historic step in entering La Place de Bordeaux, the world’s most exclusive international distribution network for fine wine.”

“We are very proud to launch our expressive 2018 Casa Real Reserva Especial into this unique distribution network with the support and collaboration of Bordeaux’s finest negociants. We believe La Place de Bordeaux will enable us to reach many new fine wine consumers around the world and to expand Casa Real’s reputation and recognition in the international fine wine scene”, Sánchez commented.

All vintages of Casa Real Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon since 1989 derive from the sustainably-farmed Carneros Viejos Vineyard in the Alto Jahuel area of the Maipo Valley and located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. With perfect aspect and exposure, this exceptional old vineyard, planted in the 1970s, is farmed using the latest advances in precision viticulture.

The 2018 growing season is one of the best in living memory. Good Winter and Spring rainfalls were followed by mostly dry warm conditions over Summer and early Autumn. 2018 Casa Real Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon reflects an exquisite vintage where all the stars aligned.

Casa Real’s winemaker Sebastián Labbé said “The 2018 vintage is a superb expression of an exceptional terroir. The pure fruit definition, persistent fine-grained tannins and French oak barrique maturation are all finely balanced giving a wine of lovely tension and complexity. The concentration, richness of flavour and overall precision promise a great cellaring future”.

Santa Rita has appointed International First Growths (IFG), a courtier business specialising in Australian and now Chilean wine, to facilitate this new route to market. “We are delighted to be part of this exciting new step for Santa Rita’s Casa Real, a wine that is the perfect fit for La Place de Bordeaux. It has fascinating history, reputation and the consistency of quality to capture the attention of fine wine customers in this unique international forum.” remarks Tom Portet, Director of IFG.

About Viña Santa Rita

Viña Santa Rita was founded in 1880 by 19th Century entrepreneur Don Domingo Fernández Concha who brought the finest French grape varieties, including cabernet sauvignon, to the rich free-draining soils of Chile’s Maipo Valley, together with specialised equipment and a team of top winemakers from Bordeaux. Viña Santa Rita played a significant role in building Chile’s fine wine reputation and enjoyed accolades throughout South America, Europe and the United States at exhibitions and wine shows. On its 100th Anniversary, the winery and vineyards were purchased by the late attorney and businessman, Ricardo Claro of Group Claro who believed that Viña Santa Rita was a national treasure. New winemaking techniques including maturation in “barricas” were introduced following major advances in winemaking science and technology during this period. The winery is still operated by the Group Claro who continue to build on his vision and belief in Chile’s Wine Industry. Recently the brand was voted for the tenth time among the “World’s Most Admired Wine Brands” by the influential Drinks International trade magazine.

About Casa Real Reserva Especial

First vintaged in 1989, Casa Real Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of winemaking expression and terroir in the Alto Jahuel area of the Maipo Valley. Over three decades of refinements in the vineyard and winery have led to the development of timeless style based on respect, heritage and ambition. The limited release Casa Real Reserva Especial also reflects over 30 years commitment to advanced technology, precision vineyard management and sustainable practices. It is Viña Santa Rita’s flagship wine, highlighting the exquisite balance between nature and nurture.

About La Place de Bordeaux

The Place de Bordeaux facilitates the trade of wine between a producer to international markets via a négociant (wine merchant). It is the oldest and most developed distribution network for fine wines in the world. Distribution via La Place de Bordeaux provides an opportunity for producers to grow exports and position their brands amongst the world’s finest.