Veramonte Winery in Casablanca Valley Announces New Offerings The winery invites travelers looking for a modern wine-drinking experience to explore the vineyards with new tours, tastings, and amenities   Casablanca Valley, Chile, June 2016 - Just an hour drive outside of Santiago awaits the recently remodeled Casona Veramonte, now offering the latest experiences in authentic Chilean winegrowing in a traveler’s dream setting.   Known for high-tech grape growing practices, focused environmental protection measures and unique wines that reflect the care and quality of the soil they come from, Veramonte Winery invites those who seek a professional wine-drinking experience to explore the surrounding estate in one of their new tours, designed specifically to entertain and educate.   Three new tours invite guests to witness a unique view of the vineyards, winery, and barrel rooms while delving into the art of winemaking with a focus on commitment to sustainable and organic practices. Tours end with an opportunity to experience wine like a professional with a tasting of premium wines that highlight Veramonte’s winemaking philosophy. For those who seek a richer touring experience, a personalized tour to parts of the vineyard restricted from many can be organized.   Each tour is offered in both English and Spanish and can accommodate private parties.   Those looking to kick their feet up after a long tour or to experience winemaking from the vine to the bottle in a comfortable setting should look no further than the new offerings at the Casona’s grand hall. When proprietor Agustín Huneeus commissioned famed architect Jorge Swinburn to design Casona Veramonte, the first “Napa-style” winery in Chile in 1998, Swinburn looked to the Santiago’s iconic Mercado Central for inspiration. Agustín had a vision for the picturesque Casona, imaging it as a place to share unforgettable experiences centered on wine. Today, although that dream was long ago met, it is strengthened through Chilean designer Santiago Valdés’ renovation of the 8500 square foot center hall, now home to a shop displaying local artisanal products and Chilean and international wines, an exclusive member’s lounge, and a 23-foot-long wine tasting bar that opens up to a modern café with delectable offerings sourced from the winery’s own gardens, which were designed by well-known landscapist Cristóbal Elgueta, specializing in wild gardens. All the furniture was designed and handmade by Valdés, who with his father, Cristián Valdés, created the renowned furniture design company, Muebles Valdes.   Casona Veramonte is an apex of adventure, education, and entertainment, and a worthy destination for all ages and all levels of wine knowledge. For information and touring appointments, please visit: http://www.casonaveramonte.com/ About Veramonte and Founder Agustín Huneeus Surrounded by a unique coastal mountain range deep within in the Casablanca Valley, the Veramonte estate produces wines that reflect the unique terroir and diversity of microclimates, a natural occurrence as the valley floor’s cool air drifts through the warmer foothills. From idea to bottle, Veramonte wines are crafted with respect for the environment and land. They are the consummation of sustainable farming practices in the vineyard met with Old World winemaking techniques and high tech advances in the cellar.   Spearheaded in 1990, the Veramonte estate represents founder Agustín Huneeus’ return to Chile, where he had entered the wine industry 30 years prior as part of Concha y Toro, which under his management became the largest winery in the nation. Recognizing the Casablanca Valley’s proximity to Santiago and potential in becoming a tourist’s dream vacation, Agustin’s decision put the region on track to becoming a world-renowned wine destination.   About Huneeus Vintners   Vintner Agustin Huneeus is credited with discovering some of the world’s greatest vineyards spanning five decades and 15 countries.  He founded Ritual in 1990 as the Huneeus family’s original, flagship estate on the extreme eastern edge of the Casablanca Valley in Chile. The Huneeus family was among the first to foresee this cool-climate Chilean terroir’s remarkable potential to produce world-class wines.   The Huneeus Vintners Chilean portfolio of wines is crafted by a team of expert viticulturists and winemakers, led by highly influential Chilean winemaker Rodrigo Soto along with superstar consultant, Paul Hobbs and renowned terroir specialist, Pedro Parra. Native to Chile, Rodrigo brings a wealth of international winemaking experience to the Ritual, Primus, Veramonte and Neyen labels. Currently Rodrigo is working on converting all the Chilean vineyards to 100% organic and eventually biodynamic - a project of massive scale given the extensive vineyard holdings of Huneeus in the Apalta and Casablanca Valleys. The ultimate goal is quality, and all four diverse properties are poised to be at the forefront of Chile’s fine wine evolution.  In addition to the Chilean properties, the Huneeus family's current vineyard and winery projects include the Quintessa estate in Napa Valley, Faust Napa Valley, Flowers Vineyards & Winery Sonoma Coast, and Illumination Napa Valley.  For more information, visit www.huneeusvintners.com.   Media Contact For press inquiries and images relevant to the Chilean portfolio, please contact Kimberly Charles at Charles Communications Associates at press@charlescomm.com or 415.701.9463.