British experts recognize Casa Marin as Chile’s leading winery

Viña Casa Marín, located in the coastal valley of Lo Abarca in San Antonio, has been named "Best Producer of Chile" by the *Wines of Chile Report 2025*, prepared by the British Masters of Wine Susie Barrie and Peter Richards. Both are among the most respected voices in the U.K. wine industry and each year they taste the three best wines from leading Chilean wineries. In this edition, Casa Marín received the top distinction, adding to last year's recognition of Felipe Marín, the winery's winemaker, who was named "Best Winemaker of Chile" in the same report.

This new international recognition reflects the philosophy of the family-owned winery founded in 2000 by María Luz Marín, a pioneer who established herself in the extreme conditions of Lo Abarca to produce wines of remarkable character. The report highlighted several of Casa Marín's wines this year, including Syrah Miramar 2015 with 98 points, Sauvignon Blanc Cipreses 2024 with 97 points, and Riesling Miramar 2024 with 94 points.

In addition to their wine expertise, Barrie and Richards host the British podcast *Wine Blast*, which has reached a global audience since 2020. In one episode, they referred to María Luz Marín as "The Royalty of Chilean Wine," recognizing her leadership, professionalism, and excellence in the industry.

For winemaker Felipe Marín, the award represents years of perseverance and commitment. He described it as a tribute to the vision of his mother, María Luz, and to the team's ability to maintain and innovate while honoring the winery's founding spirit. Jamie Verbraak, Casa Marín's commercial manager, emphasized the achievement, noting that after 23 harvests the winery continues to stand among Chile's top producers. He recalled that in 2010 Casa Marín won the award for the world's best Sauvignon Blanc in both France and England, and said the current distinction confirms the consistency of quality and the success of their innovation in marketing and commercialization.

Facing today's challenges in the global wine industry, Casa Marín has chosen to innovate in distribution and form strategic alliances with other family-owned wineries. One such collaboration is with Viña Clos de Luz, led by sales manager Alejandro Peralta, which has increased sales in Latin America and the domestic market by more than 25 percent. Verbraak explained that this cooperation is based on shared goals rather than competition, aiming to strengthen both brands.

The winery continues to expand its presence in Latin America, the United States, and Europe, with particular focus on Peru, Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico. Casa Marín remains the only Chilean winery with a monopole "Denomination of Origin," obtained in 2018, and is finalizing an alliance with Bodega Durigutti of Mendoza, Argentina, to produce terroir-driven wines under a shared sustainable, family-based philosophy.

Looking ahead to 2026, Casa Marín plans to enhance its enotourism experience. Following the recent closure of the Bianco restaurant, which operated under concession, the family will take direct control of its culinary offering to create an experience aligned with the winery's identity. Investments are planned in lodging, landscaping, and hospitality to establish Casa Marín as a complete destination where visitors can experience the family's spirit and the essence of its wines.