Santa Rita named the best winery in the world by Forbes

Chilean wine estate Santa Rita has nabbed the top spot in Forbes’ list of The World’s 50 Best Wineries 2025, a list of wineries that are world-renown for their historical relevance, consistency, and innovation.

The winery, which is only 45 minutes from Chile’s capital, Santiago “immerses visitors in Chilean winemaking,” the publication said, noting that the estate in the foothills of Alto Jahuel was declared a National Monument in 1972.

The publication’s award is evaluated according to a number of difference criteria, including: the heritage and legacy of the estate; the wine tourism experience; innovation in winemaking techniques and vineyard management; packaging and sustainability, and how well the estate mentors a new generations of winemakers. Finally, the global brand presence, wine scores, consistency, and its performance in international rankings for wine, tourism, and sustainability are taken into account.

Although formally established in 1880, the viticultural roots of Viña Santa Rita’s states stretch back to the 17th century, when the first vines were planted for wine and brandy. The main house , which is now the Hotel Casa Real, was built in 1883 and houses the older 120 Patriotas Cellar, a cellar where 120 soldiers from Chile’s independence movement were given refuge after the Battle of Cancha Rayada. There is also a neo-Gothic chapel and a 40-hectare centenary park, “offering a romantic backdrop for tastings and carriage rides,” Forbes noted, as well as the Andean Museum, which houses more than 3,000 archaeological and ethnographic artefacts.

The estate also offers gourmet dining at the Doña Paula Restaurant and Café La Panadería, and a wine shop where guests “can enjoy classic tastings, premium vertical flights, and pairings that celebrate the soul of the Maipo Valley”, Forbes said, along with eight curated tours, including the an opportunity to be “winemaker for a day”.

Elena Carretero, corporate affairs, sustainability and tourism director at Santa Rita said the recognition filled the team with “with pride and reflects the work of generations who have made Santa Rita a benchmark of wine and culture in South America”.

“More than an award for a winery, it is a distinction that celebrates the legacy, identity, and projection of our country in the world,” she said. “It reflects a vision that combines history, sustainability, and forward thinking, with the commitment to preserve Chile’s heritage for future generations.”

Previous winners have included: Penfolds’ Magill Estate in Australia; Trapiche Winery, Zuccardi Valle de Uco, and Bodega Lagarde in Argentina; Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Château d’Esclans, and Champagne Billecart-Salmon; Dr. Loosen; Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley ; and Spain’s Marqués de Murrieta, among others.