Viña Cousiño Macul is a revered name in the world of winemaking. Founded in 1856 by Luis Cousiño and Isidora Goyenechea, this historic winery has become one of Chile’s oldest and most notable, with a legacy that has spanned over 160 years.

Located in the Maipo Valley, Viña Cousiño Macul has earned global recognition for producing wines that perfectly capture the essence of the region’s unique terroir. The winery remains a rare treasure in the industry, proudly owned and managed by the founding family across seven generations.

Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Verónica Cousiño, the Commercial Manager of Viña Cousiño Macul and part of the seventh generation. In this exclusive interview, Verónica shares the fascinating story of how the winery was founded, their commitment to sustainability, and the innovative practices that continue to drive its success. Join us as we explore how the past, present, and future of Viña Cousiño Macul came together to create wines that are celebrated the world over.

Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, leads our interview. With over 16 years of experience recognizing top luxury brands through the Luxury Lifestyle Awards, he offers valuable perspectives on the changing landscape of the luxury industry.

Questions:

Alexander Chetchikov: Viña Cousiño Macul has a remarkable history spanning over 160 years. What were some of the core values that were established when the winery was first founded, and how have they shaped the brand today?

Verónica Cousiño: Each generation that has worked at Cousiño Macul seeks continuous innovation, always looking for new ways to improve our winemaking processes, always taking care of the land we work with, making sure we can pass on the vineyard and the winery to the next generations. In terms of values, we have two main ones. Justice, always working and making decisions ethically, and Loyalty, since as a family we must remain committed and faithful to our vision and mission, which is to produce world-class wines in the Maipo Valley.

AC: The Maipo Valley is known for its exceptional terroir. How does the unique geography and climate of the region influence the wines you produce at Viña Cousiño Macul?

VC: We are located in the area of the Maipo Valley closest to the foot of the Andes Mountains (400-800 meters above sea level). This sector has sunny afternoons with mountain breezes during the evenings and nights, generating an ideal thermal oscillation for the development of our vines (Variation: 10-30°C in summer). In addition, the soil has a good balance between rocks and silty terrain, which produces an adecuate fertility for premium wines.

AC: With sustainability being a key pillar of the winery’s operations, can you share more about the regenerative agronomy practices you’ve implemented and their impact on both the environment and the quality of the wine?

VC: Some of the regenerative agronomy practices we have implemented are crop rotation for soil regeneration; holistic grazing (with sheep) for weed control and soil fertilization with their manure; we also have free-range chickens all over the field, which fertilize and feed on bugs that can be pests for us. Finally, we have implemented a sector for humus production, which is generated with organic waste from our office, helping to reduce our carbon footprint; this humus is then used to fertilize the plantations and provide nutrients to the soil.

These practices help us to reduce the use of herbicides and fertilizers.

Regarding the impact on the quality of the wine, we will see more in the future, because we have been implementing these practices for a little over a year, so it is still too early to see any difference in the wine.

AC: The wine industry has seen significant shifts in consumer preferences in recent years. What trends do you see emerging in the global wine market, and how is Viña Cousiño Macul positioning itself to meet these demands?

VC: It is not easy, but the wine industry is always changing. For us, the most important thing is to always aim for excellence in quality and winemaking. One of the trends we have tried to keep up with is wine tourism, offering new experiences and educating our visitors. We recently inaugurated a sector within our vineyard called Jardín de Macul (Macul’s Garden), focused 100% on agritourism, where we seek to bring our regenerative agronomic practices closer to the people who visit us. There, children and adults learn about some of our regenerative agronomy practices and can see them firsthand.

AC: With the increasing importance of sustainability and environmental consciousness, what role do you believe the wine industry should play in addressing global environmental challenges, and how is Viña Cousiño Macul contributing to this movement?

VC: The wine industry must play an important role, since the basis of this industry is agronomy, the work of the land, so our production must be focused on sustainability, on applying regenerative agronomy practices to give back to the land what it gives us and above all, to educate the new generations.

We have taken some measures, such as using lighter bottles to reduce our carbon footprint, we have a solar panel system to encourage the use of renewable energy, among many other practices. We know that there is still a lot of work to be done, and we are always looking for new ways to positively impact the environment. 

AC: Chile has emerged as a key player in the global wine industry, with its wines being celebrated for their quality and authenticity. What do you believe sets Chilean wines apart from other regions, and how does Viña Cousiño Macul contribute to this distinction?

VC: The geography of Chile and its diverse climates gives our country the capacity to produce high quality wines with different styles that conquer the most demanding palates around the world. It is important to note that in Chile we have from the driest desert in the world (Atacama Desert) to the glaciers of Patagonia.

I feel that Cousiño Macul contributes from a historical point of view, because although we are located in the new world, we still maintain the unique DNA of the vines that were brought from Europe in the nineteenth century. Therefore, we have vineyards with deep-rooted vines that uniquely capture the terroir where we have been located for more than 160 years, producing authentic Chilean and world-class wines in Chile’s most emblematic valley.

AC: As a winery with a rich legacy, what advice would you give to new or aspiring winemakers who wish to establish themselves in such a competitive and dynamic industry?

VC: The greatest challenge today for new winemakers is to make quality wine with local identity and respect for the environment, committed to workers, communities and consumers.

A heartfelt thank you to Verónica Cousiño for sharing your incredible journey behind Viña Cousiño Macul. It has been an honor to learn about the legacy you’ve preserved and the vision you continue to cultivate for future generations of wine lovers. Visit https://www.cousinomacul.com/ to learn more today.