Veramonte winery in Chile, opened in 1998.
Veramonte winery in Chile, opened in 1998.
(Image credit: Veramonte)

Spanish wine company González Byass has made a first foray outside its homeland with the purchase of a controlling stake in Chilean winery Veramonte.

  • Gonzalez Byass Chile deal a first for company outside of Spain
  • Veramonte owns 600 hectares of vineyard land
  • Set to boost Spanish firm in US wine market

Jerez-based Gonzalez Byass has bought the Huneeus family’s controlling interest in Veramonte, owner of brands including Neyen, Primus, Ritual and Veramonte. The Rojas family retains its existing, minority stake in the company.

Veramonte, which exports to 37 countries and is a market leader in the US, owns two wineries and 600 hectares of vineyard land across Chile, including plots in the Casablanca Valley and the Colchagua Valley, as well as the latter’s Apalta Valley enclave.

‘By taking this step out of Spanish wine production, we are reinforcing our strategy towards the internationalisation of the company, whilst strengthening both our portfolio of brands and international distribution operation,’ said the González family.

The presence of Veramonte will particularly boost the company’s American distribution operation, González Byass USA.

The Veramonte acquisition follows González Byass’ recent purchase of the Pazos de Lusco estate in Rías Baixas.

As well as its historic Sherry and brandy de Jerez business, the company owns Spanish wineries including:

  • Bodegas Beronia (Rioja and Rueda)
  • Cavas Vilarnau (Barcelona)
  • Finca Constancia (Castilla)
  • Finca Moncloa (Cádiz)
  • Viñas del Vero (Somontano)
  • Pazos de Lusco (Rías Baixas)

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Richard Woodard
Richard Woodard
Decanter Magazine, Wine & Spirits Writer

Richard Woodard is a freelance wine and spirits writer based in the UK. Aside from Decanter, he writes for several wine trade and media outlets including Imbibe, The Drinks Business, Harpers and Drinks International.

Since 2015 he has been the magazine editor of Scotchwhisky.com. He has formerly worked as a wine news reporter at Imbibe and a feature writer for Halycon Magazine.