Marcelo Papa: The Limitless Winemaker

On this Winemaker’s Day, we celebrate the incredible journey of Marcelo Papa, a true pioneer in Chilean viticulture. With over two decades of dedication at Viña Concha y Toro, Marcelo has taken wines from extreme origins to new heights, crafting expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that now are among world-class wines. A legacy of innovation, passion, and elegance that continues to inspire wine lovers across the globe. 

On august 10, we celebrate Chile’s Winemaker Day, a date dedicated to recognizing the passion, knowledge, and commitment of those who masterfully bring a national treasure to our tables—representing the best of Chilean tradition and quality. Today, we pay tribute to our winemaker Marcelo Papa, who, since 1998, has put a lasting mark on Viña Concha y Toro’s history through his innovative vision and his passion for exploring unique terroirs. 

Explorer of new terroirs: Breaking Bounderies  

If origin key into crafting exceptional wines, Marcelo Papa has taken it to the highest level. As winemaker and Technical Director at Viña Concha y Toro, he has devoted his career to exploring new terroirs in Chile’s most extreme areas, convinced that true authenticity is born from the terroir. 

In 2000, he opted for the Limarí Valley, creating wines with a unique character and striking minerality. Acquiring Quebrada Seca vineyard in 2007, and then planting the first Chardonnay blocks, Marcelo brought a new level of freshness and elegance to Chile’s extreme terroir, establishing it as one of the world’s top regions for this variety. 

Today, Marcelo Papa is the visionary behind Viña Concha y Toro’s iconic Amelia brand. In 2017, he took the wine to new heights by relocating its origin from Casablanca to the Quebrada Seca vineyard in the Limarí Valley, near the Atacama Desert. This extraordinary terroir, with calcareous soils, a semi-arid coastal climate, ocean breezes, and foggy morning, gives life to world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—elegant wines with vibrant freshness and distinct minerality. 

“Discovering a terroir where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reach their maximum expression is not a matter of luck, but of a profound understanding of the soil, the climate, and the nature that surrounds us. It’s about respecting the history of each place and letting the wine tell its story”, explains Marcelo Papa. 

Leading the way in winemaking excellence  

A great winemaker goes beyomd boundaries—and Marcelo Papa is proof of that. His work has been widely recognized by the world’s most respected wine critics. He has been named Winemaker of the Year in Chile’s La Cav wine guide (2004), Tim Atkin MW’s guide (2018), and the Descorchados Guide (2024). Additionally, in 2024 he was chosen among 

the 100 best winemakers in the world by The Drinks Business. 

Marcelo has pursued his winemaking journey with a singular focus: to uncover the identity, freshness, and purity of origin. In the Limarí Valley, that vision came to life—redefining the profile of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir nothern Chile. 

With a technical mindset and deep respect for terroir, he transformed this region into a new benchmark for high-end white wines. Today, under his leadership, the Amelia line shines with elegance, minerality, and global prestige. 

“Every terroir has a unique signature, something that sets it apart from any other place in the world. What truly matters when seeking a specific expression in wines is that they speak of their place of origin”, comments Marcelo Papa. 

On Chile’s winemaker day, we raise a glass to Marcelo Papa, who has taken Chile’s winemaking beyond limits. His bold pursuit of Quebrada Seca, deep in the Limarí Valley, proves that great wines are born from unexpected places. In an arid landscape, challenging landscape, the Amelia winemaker has crafted labels that not only defy expectations but set a new standard for Chilean viticulture.