Vina Concha y Toro S.A. : Rafael Guilisasti receives “Businessman of the Year” prize from El Mercurio and Ernst & Young

Among the reasons for this award is his having been the artifice of the expansion of Viña Concha y Toro in recent years.

The vice chairman of Viña Concha y Toro and chairman of Viñedos Emiliana S.A., Rafael Guilisasti, was elected as Businessman of the Year in a joint event organized by El Mercurio newspaper and the consultancy firm Ernst & Young in Santiago, Chile, at the end of March.

Among the reasons for this award is his having been the artifice of the expansion of Viña Concha y Toro S.A. in recent years.

Thanks to his work, the group has today an enormous global presence, reaching over 130 countries and transforming exports into its principal area of business.

The jury emphasized not only his business record but also his high public profile, which has developed in various participations and positions in companies and business associations.

Notable was his presidency of the Chilean Confederación de la Producción y del Comercio (the industry and commerce confederation) from December 2008 to December 2010, and being vice-president of the Sociedad de Fomento Fabril (industrialists association) from April 2005.

He began to develop Emiliana in 1986 as a division specialized in varietal wines, and he then transformed it into Viñedos Emiliana S.A. with a focus on the production of high-quality organic wines, a task he began in 1998.

The senior partner of Ernst & Young, Cristián Lefevre, explained that "these prizes seek to recognize those who make the difference in the business world, contributing to the country's development and inspiring others".

Rafael Guilisasti has a wide experience of the Chilean wine industry. He began by joining Viña Concha y Toro in 1978 as export director (1985 to 1998).

Between 1986 and 2003 he was president of the Chilean Winery Association, where he worked to promote the Chilean wine industry in international markets and in analyzing commercial, regulatory and legal matters affecting the business.

He is today, in addition to the above-mentioned positions, a director of Viña Almaviva, the Chilean Wines Association and Vinnova S.A., a company oriented to the development of research and innovation programs for the sector.