VINA SANTA RITA

SA Vina Santa Rita is a Chile-based company principally engaged in the production and distribution of wine. The Company's vineyards comprise hectares of land located in the valleys of Limari, Casablanca, Leyda, Maipo, Colchagua, Apalta and Curico.

Santa Rita is the second most important wine producer in the country and second-most important exporter of bottled wine. Founded in 1880, exporting its products to over 50 different countries. This company is related to the Claro Group, whose interests are diversefied in the areas of maritime transport, glass manufacturing, investment, metal industry and communication.

Its products are principally marketed to Chile, Argentina, Ireland, the United States, the Scandinavian countries, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Brazil and China under the Casa Real, Triple C, Pehuen, Floresta, Medalla Real, Reserva and 120 brands.

The Company is also active in the tourism sector, with the promotion of visits to its museum and facilities, as well as in the operation of the hotels and restaurants.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company owned such subsidiaries as Vina Carmen SA, Vina Centenaria SA, Vina Dona Paula SA, Sur Andino SA, Distribuidora Santa Rita Ltda, Sur Andino Argentina SA and Nativa Eco Wines SA. In addition, Cristalerias de Chile SA was the Company's majority shareholder with 55.1% of its interest.

The Santa Rita winery was founded in 1880 by Domingo Fernandez in the same area of Alto Jahuel where its main facilities stand today. From the end of the nineteenth century to mid-1970s, the winery developed under the ownership of the García Huidobro family.

Then in 1980, the Claro group and the Owens Illinois company – the main producer of glass containers in the world – acquired the Santa Rita winery property. Together with this, great technological advances and winemaking techniques were introduced to wine production: in the commercial area, the 120 line was launched in 1982, and in 1985-1986, Santa Rita winery wines began significant penetration into world markets.

In 1988, the Claro group took total control of the winery. The year before, Santa Rita had acquired the Carmen brand, of great prestige in the local market.

At the end of the 80s and the beginning of the 90s there began a period of great expansion for the winery, sustained by the strong boost in its exports and the excellent reputation of its wines.

In turn, in the agricultural area Santa Rita completed the acquisition and planting of more than 1,000 hectares in the most important Chilean wine producing valleys: Maipo, Rapel, Lontué, Casablanca and Apalta.

In 1992, project Viña Carmen began, oriented towards the production of fine wines for the international market. And in 1997, Santa Rita winery made its first entry abroad when it formed Viña Doña Paula PLC in the Republic of Argentina.

In 2001, it acquired the Terra Andina brand. In 2003, Santa Rita Europe Limited was created with an office in London. In 2005, distributor Santa Rita Ltd was formed. In 2008, Santa Rita USA Corp was founded with an office in Miami. And in 2009, Nativa Eco Wines PLC was formed to develop organic wines.

Viña Santa Rita is related to five wineries: Viña Carmen; Sur Andino; Viña Centenaria; Nativa Eco Wines; Viña Doña Paula (in the Mendoza Province, Argentina).

Santa Rita has a far-reaching distribution network serving 10.000 customers nationwide.

Viña Santa Rita´s products are listed third on the ranking of the most valued bottled wine exports. The company and its divisions distribute to over 75 countries worldwide.

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