The iconic Viña Santa Rita was highlighted by Forbes as the number one winery in the World’s 50 Best Wineries 2025 ranking, a recognition that celebrates its history, heritage, and its role in elevating Chilean wine on a global scale.

When Forbes published its highly anticipated The World’s 50 Best Wineries 2025 list, one Chilean name shone above all others: Viña Santa Rita. The historic winery in the Maipo Valley not only topped the global ranking, but also reaffirmed the country’s prestige as a wine-producing powerhouse, surpassing renowned estates with long international traditions.

Below are the five reasons that explain why Santa Rita was crowned the best winery on the planet.

1. Viña Santa Rita: A historical legacy spanning centuries

Forbes notes that visiting Viña Santa Rita means immersing yourself in the Chilean winemaking tradition, whose origins date back to the 17th century, when the first vines were planted to produce wine and spirits. The winery itself was founded in 1880, becoming one of the pillars of the country’s oenological development.

One of its icons is the legendary Bodega de los 120 Patriotas, a refuge for soldiers during Chile’s independence process and a permanent tribute in its well-known 120 label. This historic narrative turns every visit into an experience that goes beyond tourism.

2. A unique architectural and cultural heritage

At the heart of the estate is the main house built in 1883, now transformed into the Hotel Casa Real, accompanied by a Neo-Gothic chapel and a century-old park spanning 40 hectares, the perfect setting for tastings and carriage rides.

In 1972, the site was declared a Historic Monument, a key recognition that highlights the winery’s heritage value. According to Forbes, this environment captivates not only for its beauty, but also for its ability to connect history with contemporary wine tourism.

In addition, Santa Rita offers a robust cultural proposal with the Museo Andino, home to more than 3,000 archaeological and ethnographic pieces, and a full gastronomic offering at the Doña Paula Restaurant, La Panadería Café, and its wine shop.

3. An enotourism experience

The ranking places great value on the quality of the visitor experience, and here Santa Rita stands out with eight regular tours, classic tastings, premium vertical tastings, horseback rides, and pairings that celebrate the essence of the Maipo Valley.

Forbes describes it as a “romantic setting,” ideal for those who want to experience wine culture in an immersive way. Its combination of history, landscapes, activities, and gourmet offerings places it among the best wineries to visit in the world, a recognition it has also received previously from World’s Best Vineyards.

4. Innovation, sustainability, and leadership in the industry

To select the 50 best wineries of the year, Virgin Wines, responsible for compiling the ranking, evaluated key categories such as heritage, innovation in oenological techniques, vineyard management, sustainability, global presence, and participation in international rankings.

In all of them, Santa Rita stood out strongly. Its commitment to sustainability and its mentorship of new generations of winemakers were decisive.

5. Consistency and excellence recognized worldwide

In addition to topping the main ranking, Santa Rita also led the independent Quality Ranking prepared by Virgin Wines, thanks to the “outstanding quality and craftsmanship of its wines.” It surpassed prestigious wineries such as Dr. Loosen, Zuccardi, Duckhorn Vineyards, Seppeltsfield Wines, and Bodega Garzón.

This is not the first time the winery has reached the global elite: it has been included among the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands by Drinks International, named Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits, and repeatedly recognized for its contribution to international wine tourism.

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