Viña Carmen introduces Ana María Cumsille

The new chief winemaker, positioned as one of the most prestigious in the country, has been part of the winery since the beginning of November. With her incorporation, the company seeks to continue promoting the development of different, unique, and recognizable wines.

Viña Carmen, Chilean first winery and one of the most significant wineries in the history of national winemaking, introduces the arrival of its new winemaker, who will be responsible for leading the oenological project of this renowned winery from November 2.

Ana María Cumsille, an Agronomical Engineer from Universidad Mayor, who holds a specialization in oenology from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and has obtained the Diplôme National D’œnologie (DNO) in Bordeaux, France.

Ana María has more than 20 years of work experience and was recently named “Revelation Winemaker of the Year” by Descorchados 2023, the renowned Chilean wine guide led by journalist Patricio Tapia. She will joins Carmen to continue enhancing the oenological legacy while contributing with an innovative perspective.

Among her most notable achievements is the successful development and positioning of high-end viticulture projects, as well as the crafting of renowned boutique wines. She served as a winemaker at Altair Winery in Cachapoal, where she was responsible for the production of wines such as Altair and Sideral, as well as supporting their sales efforts. She also worked at Indómita winery in Casablanca, overseeing the production of high-end white and red wines.

In addition, she worked in the Itata Valley, first as the winemaker in charge at Cucha Cucha winery, where her primary goal was to rescue traditional and native grape varieties of the region, such as País, Cinsault and Moscatel de Alejandría. Later, she developed her personal project of Centenary Wineries of Small Producers in Itata, aiming to reflect the characteristics of the coastal drylands and highlight the work of the local people.

Additionally, she has had notable experiences in wineries in the United States (Franciscan Winery), France (Château La Louvière and Château Margaux), in addition to Los Vascos in Chile.

“We invited Ana María to be part of this project due to her extensive winemaking career, her experience in crafting high-end wines, the valuable contributions she has made to small producers and her innovative vision. An asset that will undoubtedly further enrich our entire team and winery,” commented Jaime de la Barra, Winegrowing Director of Santa Rita Estates, the group to which Viña Carmen belongs.

With this new incorporation, Carmen aims to continue driving the development of distinctive, unique, and recognizable wines that have positioned it as one of the most innovative wineries in Chile, with projects that have impressed consumers and wine writers alike. Among them is the acclaimed Carmen DO range and the icon wine, Carmen Gold, which was recently chosen as one of the best red wines of the year with its 2020 vintage by Tim Atkin. Also ranked among the top 12 Cabernet Sauvignons in the world by the British magazine The Drinks Business.