Santa Rita names new winemaker of Carmen winery

Santa Rita has named Emily Faulconer as the new winemaker of its Carmen winery, Chile’s oldest winery, taking the reins from Sebastian Labbé.

Faulconer, 32, is an agricultural engineer graduate from the Universidad Católica with a wealth of winemaking experience undertaking projects in Chile’s Elqui Valley, where she worked with Viñedos Alcohuaz, the US with Cakebread Cellars, at Chateau Canon in France, and with Trinity Hill Winery in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

Faulconer previously worked as chief winemaker at Chile’s Viña Arboleda and prior to this worked held the position of assistant winemaker at Maquis and Viu Manent, both located in the Colchagua Valley.

“We are delighted Emily has joined our team,” said Eduardo Alemparte, vitiviniculture manager of Santa Rita Estates, which includes Viña Carmen.

“She is young, energetic and a passionate winemaker with wide experience working with a variety of different terroirs. Despite her relatively young age she has already achieved considerable recognition and I truly believe she will become one of Chile’s most important oenologists.”

Santa Rita Estates (SRE) currently owns around 3,700 hectares of vines in Chile and more than 700 hectares in Argentina, with its brands including Santa Rita, Carmen, Sur Andino and Doña Paula.

Faulconer will take on the role in 1 June.