-Viña Cono Sur Introduces Star Varietals -

Viña Cono Sur, considered the winemaking pioneer for the Pinot Noir grape varietal in Chile, will introduce its award-winning wine to the United States this Spring.

One of Chile’s top ten fine wine exporters, Viña Cono Sur already markets its premium wines in 32 countries on 4 continents and is the top selling Chilean wine in England. The winery’s star varietals, Pinot Noir and Merlot, will be available in 10 major U.S. markets (Metro and Upstate New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota and Texas) starting in April.

Viña Cono Sur holds some of the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in Chile. As one of the first in Chile to craft Pinot Noir, Cono Sur is considered a benchmark producer for the varietal. It was also the first Chilean winery to garner top awards in international competitions, including medals in the London International Wine Challenge, the Japan Wine Challenge and Challenge du Vin.

“In a brief decade, Cono Sur winery has established a solid track record for producing some of the finest varietal wines in Chile.” declared James Mariani of Banfi Vintners, the brand’s exclusive U.S. importer. “Cono Sur will add a new element to the US wine market.”

 Cono Sur Reserves are crafted in limited production for concentration, complexity, structure and character. The Pinot Noir Reserve is harvested in the Casablanca Valley, a cool climate ideal for the varietal. Cono Sur Reserve Merlot hails from Colchagua in the Rapel Valley, known for its Merlots. Both reserve wines will retail for about $12 per 750ml. bottle.

The deluxe “20 Barrels” selection, named for the amount of wine made in its inaugural year, is a further testament to the winery’s dedication to quality. Deeply intense, the Pinot Noir and Merlot both richly express the characteristics of their terroir. They will retail for around $22.

The term “Cono Sur” is a reference to South America’s “Southern cone.” The label’s stylized design of that geographical image reflects the winery’s New World style and philosophy.

Banfi Vintners is the leading wine importer in the US. Founded by John Mariani, Sr. in 1919 and run today by his children and grandchildren, the privately held company has earned a stellar reputation for developing its tight, closely run portfolio of wines into category leaders.