Santa Ema

To call a place “home” is more than naming an address: home is an identity and a commitment. When Pedro Pavone-Voglino emigrated from Italy to Chile in the early 20th century, he promised himself he would build his new home on the cornerstones of respect, honesty, community and responsibility. He held to these commitments when he and his son Félix later acquired the land “chacra Santa Ema” in the heart of the Maipo Valley to build a life in wine.

The 65-year journey has taken the family winery into its third and fourth generations. Today, Pedro’s grandchildren are active in vineyard, winery and export management: Rossana Pavone oversees finance; Félix, the vineyards and production. The fourth generation—Sebastián, Felipe and Guillermo—are actively involved in domestic sales and exports.

“Santa Ema wines must reflect their place of origin and our commitments”, says Andrés Sanhueza, general manager and head winemaker for Santa Ema. “It is a series of details that must be met from vineyard to bottle that preserves the family seal of quality and consistency over time.”

Andres Sanhueza, general manager and head winemaker

To support a diverse range of quality wines, the family has expanded vineyard holdings. Anchored by their historic properties in the Isla de Maipo sub-region, they have acquired select vineyard properties in cool Leyda near the Pacific coastline, in highly regarded Pirque, at the edge of the Andes, and further south in the Cachapoal Valley in Peumo.

For Santa Ema, the unwavering pursuit of quality wine has also meant a pursuit of respect for their team, land and community. “The production of wine is done through people,” says Andrés, “so the team is like an extension of the family itself.” Like other members of the winemaking team, for example, Andrés has been with Santa Ema for more than two decades. “The idea is for everyone to feel part of the family. We are a super committed team, and it is a wonderful working environment with solid pillars.”

In the winery, they work toward respectful, low-intervention practices and are in the process of gaining certification for vegan and gluten-free production. “We want to make our wines under an atmosphere of balance, where both land and workers are respected”, comments Andrés. “We work toward biodiversity in the vineyards and have 100% sustainable viticulture, with a view to eventually bring it to organic production.”

The family commitment to community is long term. Santa Ema actively supports local education, school renovations and libraries. They have also worked toward Santa Ema 30K, a project to showcase small business goods made within a 30-km range of the winery. While the ravages of the pandemic have meant a slowdown in tourism traffic, the family is confident this commitment will see a long-term benefit for their many small-business neighbours.

It has been a 65-year drive to distinguish Santa Ema with a seal of quality and consistency, says Andrés. With the firm anchors of home, community, great terroirs, and a great team, clearly the path to the future is set. Santa Ema showcases the best of their terroirs, their approach and their people in the wine portfolio. The Select Terroir Reserva range does just what it promises: offer up the most expressive fruit from the best locations. Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé wines are drawn from fruit grown in the warmth of Isla de Maipo, where the climate is moderated by the cooling winds from both the Andes and the coast. The Select Terroir Carménère originates in Peumo, Cachapoal, where the cool nights and warm days produce a wine with great balance and structure.

The Gran Reserva line, led by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines, authentically reflect the concentration, quality and judicious oak ageing of particular parcels and lots. The wines of Santa Ema Amplus (Latin for “distinguished”) offer rare glimpses of some of the best terroirs of the line.

At the pinnacle of the collection are Catalina and Rivalta, drawn from the very best 20 barrels of red produced each year. The amazing Bordeaux blend Catalina pays tribute to the mother of the third generation, presented with a beautifully elegant cloth label. Rivalta is named in tribute to the Piedmontese Italian origin of the founder. From the Maipo Alto, skirting the edges of the Andes, Rivalta offers an unforgettable experience of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Carignan and Syrah.