20 Barrels and Ocio: the story behind Cono Sur's top Pinot Noir wines

For more than 20 years, Cono Sur has made Pinot Noir its emblematic variety, producing world class wines, and being one of the first wineries in Chile to produce and export Premium wines of the variety. Two of them – 20 Barrels and Ocio – have a unique story that deserves to be told.

When we started the “Pinot Noir Project” in 1999, we set the goal to create Chile’s best Pinot Noir, achievement that was only made possible thanks to our innovative and sustainable efforts – that go from the vineyard to the cellar – as well as the right soil and ideal climatic conditions delivered by San Antonio and Casablanca valleys.

However, each wine has its own unique journey which is worth telling. It’s impossible to talk Chilean Pinot Noir without mentioning 2 of its best representatives: 20 Barrels and Ocio; wines that deliver quality and a great story.

20 Barrels: product of fine selection

In 1996, seeking to produce the first ultra premium Chilean Pinot Noir, we decided to study our own winemaking and came to realize we had all we needed to reach our goal and exceed all market expectations. The secret was: choose well and choose wisely. Only the best barrels should and would make the cut, if we wanted to reach greatness.

One of the secrets for creating a quality wine is the aging, which can be all about the oak; its level of toast, volume and usage. For this reason, only the best barrels, that fitted all the mentioned criteria were selected and set aside in a different “barrel room”.

With time, the winemakers reached their final selection, made of only 20 barrels, which were chosen for its quality. And they were not wrong, thanks to this fine selection, we have today the 20 Barrels Pinot Noir, a delicate wine, with ruby red coloring with hints of cherry, raspberries and strawberries.

Ocio: Cono Sur’s Icon

Cono Sur’s close connection to Pinot Noir is not random. The first Pinot Noir vines planted in Chile, in 1968, were planted in what is today, our Santa Elisa Estate in Chimbarongo. However, it took a lot of patience and care for this variety to deliver its full potential.

In 1999, Cono Sur’s winemaking team decided to take Chilean Pinot Noir to the next level, for this, they looked for the help of French winemaker Martín Prieur from Burgundy, the birthplace of the variety. And so it started the search for the best terroirs that gathered all the right conditions to grow this variety.

Prieur also helped with the design and construction of Cono Sur’s wine cellar, especially created to vinify the variety according to the traditional burgundy methods. Years would prove that is was all worth it, and that would be the only way to create Ocio Pinot Noir, Cono Sur’s Icon wine.

Of ruby red coloring, Ocio presents aromas of cherries, raspberries with hints of tobacco and spices. Without a doubt, it’s a wine with the complexity and character required by a world class premium wine.

If you’re looking for a Chilean Pinot Noir of unique flavor, aroma, texture, Cono Sur is your answer.