Cousiño-Macul is pleased to announce that its Head Winemaker, Matias Rivera, has been named Best Winemaker of the Year by the Circle of Gastronomical Journalists. In making the announcement, Augusto Merio, President of this prestigious Chilean organization, explained that their award is based upon the highest quality achievement possible and consistency within a winery's entire product line.

Rivera, age 38, is a highly respected member of the new generation of winemakers born and educated in Chile. In 1995, he was selected by Cousiño-Macul to design and develop the winery's new vineyards at its Buin Estate. He immediately distinguished himself and soon expanded his responsibilities to include winemaking. Demonstrating an uncompromising commitment to innovation and quality, he became the winery's Head Winemaker in 2003.

As Cousiño-Macul was moving toward its 150th anniversary, Rivera incorporated the finest state of the art technologies in both vineyard management and winemaking procedures and combined them with proven traditional practices.

Last year as part of its 150th anniversary celebration, Cousiño-Macul released outstanding vintages of its legendary Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon and Finis Terrae, its propriety Bordeaux blend. The celebratory year culminated with the introduction of LOTA, Cousiño-Macul's boutique-caliber icon wine that was immediately met with widespread critical praise.

Made up of leading Chilean journalists within the fields of gastronomy and wine, the Circle of Gastronomical Journalists has been bestowing its prestigious annual award for seventeen years. In accepting it this year, Rivera acknowledged that the award was a reflection of the Cousiño family's long-term vision and total dedication to producing Chile's finest wines.