Billionaire shipping magnate and chairman of Chile's Santa Rita wine group, Ricardo Claro has died of a heart attack.
Claro, who had interests in shipping, packaging, ports, mining and media, bought the historic Santa Rita estate in 1980, and invested heavily in the winery and vineyards, increasing and establishing its profile as an international brand.
Further acquisitions included Vina Carmen (1987) and Terra Andina (2001), both in Chile. Dona Paula, an Argentinian winery, was acquired by Claro in 1997.
'Not only was he one of Chile's foremost and successful industrialists but he was a giant figure in Chile's wine business and for the last two decades has helped establish Chile's pedigree and prestige in the wine world,' said UK Wines of Chile director Michael Cox.
The Claro Group is worth an estimated £1.85bn (US$3bn).
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Maybe it would be useful to remind our fellow readers that Ricardo Claro Valdès was a strong supporter of General Pinochet, participating in cabinets as soon as the day after Allende's assassination. And visiting Pinochet when he was detained in England. His business career would certainly not have been the same without this connection.
Hervé Lalau
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