Viña Don Melchor’s nomination in one of the leading categories of the 2026 Wine Star Awards recognises a history defined by excellence, a profound understanding of its origin and the craftsmanship that, over several decades, has contributed to positioning the Puente Alto terroir and Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon among the world’s foremost benchmarks.

Viña Don Melchor, a subsidiary of Viña Concha y Toro, has been nominated by the influential specialist publication Wine Enthusiast as “New World Winery of the Year” at the 2026 Wine Star Awards. It is the only Chilean winery among the five finalists in the category, alongside Te Mata Estate from New Zealand, Leeuwin Estate from Australia, Bodegas Salentein from Argentina and Karas Wine from Armenia.

The nomination places Viña Don Melchor among the New World’s leading wineries and recognises a history defined by an unwavering commitment to excellence. In its presentation of the finalists, Wine Enthusiast highlighted the consistency of the winery’s accolades, the vision that has guided its development and its contribution to establishing a new benchmark for Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.

This recognition reaffirms Viña Don Melchor’s standing on the international wine scene and the significance of Puente Alto, the exceptional origin that has defined its>The nomination also coincides with a new recognition for the brand. Don Melchor, the iconic Cabernet Sauvignon from Puente Alto, recently received 97 points from Wine Enthusiast for its 2023 vintage, the highest score ever awarded to the brand by this influential international publication, reaffirming a history defined by excellence and consolidating its position among the world’s great Cabernet Sauvignons.

“This nomination is both an honour and a recognition of all those who, over the decades, have contributed to building the excellence of Viña Don Melchor. It is also a distinction for the origin of Puente Alto and for the conviction that great wines arise from a constant pursuit of understanding their place of origin and expressing it in the finest possible way. Furthermore, this recognition acknowledges the value of Casa Don Melchor as the expression and stewardship of a history, a heritage and a culture deeply connected to the origin and identity of Don Melchor,” said Enrique Tirado, CEO and Technical Director of Viña Don Melchor.

The winners of the 2026 Wine Star Awards will be announced by Wine Enthusiast on 12 November and subsequently honoured at the traditional annual gala in January 2027. Regardless of the final outcome, this nomination once again places Viña Don Melchor and Puente Alto among the leading names in New World wine, recognising a history built upon excellence, craftsmanship and an enduring commitment to expressing an exceptional origin in Puente Alto, Chile.