Santa Rita announces new winemaker

Chilean producer Santa Rita has announced that Oscar Salas is to join its team as the new head winemaker for its ‘120’ range.

Salas will take up his new position on 1 October and replaces winemaker Carlos Gatica.

Eduardo Alemparte, technical director for Santa Rita Estates, commented: “Gatica was a hugely valued member of the winemaking team who made an outstanding contribution during his eleven years with Santa Rita. His attention to detail in ensuring consistent quality and standards of excellence has undoubtedly helped to position Santa Rita 120 wine as one of our most successful global exports.”

Salas meanwhile is a graduate of Chile’s Pontifica Universidad Católica where he studied winemaking and viticulture.

His first job was with Cousino Macul before he joined Santa Rita for the first time in 2001 when he then spent 10 years as head winemaker of its Terra Andina brand.

In 2011 he left to work at Hartford Family Wines in Sonoma for a brief spell followed by several years at Sutil Family Wines before returning to Santa Rita when the position as 120 winemaker became available.

Alemparte added: “Salas built a strong reputation within the industry whilst working at our Sur Andino winery and we are delighted to have him back on board as head winemaker of our Santa Rita 120 tier of wines. His appointment is in line with the significant financial investment we are making through our WiSe project and the continued development of the Santa Rita 120 brand.”