Four important geographic bodies surround the Chilean wine growing region: the Andes Mountains to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atacama Desert –the driest on Earth– to the north and ancient glaciers to the south. These natural barriers essentially isolate Chile and have protected our vineyards for centuries. Other determining factors, such as abundant luminosity, significant daily temperature variation, dry weather during ripening season and fresh Andean irrigation water, contribute to the production of pure and wholesome grapes. In a bid to express the country’s extraordinary diversity, Cono Sur vineyards are present in Chile’s most prestigeous winegrowing valleys: Limarí, Casablanca, San Antonio, Maipo, Rapel, Cachapoal, Colchagua, Curicó, Maule and Bío-Bío.

In 1996, Cono Sur winemaking team decided to tackle the challenge to produce their first ultrapremium wine. The chosen variety was Pinot Noir and for its inaugural production 20 barrels of the best fruits provided from the ’96 vintage were selected. This exquisite range’s name was coined after those 20 initial barrels. Pinot Noir was followed by Cabernet Sauvignon in 1997, Merlot in 1998, Chardonnay – Cono Sur’s first ultra-premium white wine – in 2002, Sauvignon Blanc in 2005, and the latest member of the family, a Syrah from the 2008 harvest. The Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Chardonnay was the first white variety added to the 20 Barrels range, and a success right from the start.