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Agustin Huneeus, Sr., embarked upon his legendary career as a winemaker over
four decades ago. He founded premier wineries both in California and Chile, and
guided others to worldwide acclaim. He is perhaps best known for his artistry
and innovative techniques resulting in critically acclaimed wines crafted in
the Bordeaux tradition.
Wines and wineries achieving prominence under Agustin’s hand include Veramonte
(Primus) and Concha y Toro of Chile, and Franciscan Oakville Estate, Mount
Veeder, Estancia and Quintessa of California. He is considered a trail blazer
with his Cuvee Sauvage, Napa Valley’s first wild-yeast fermented Chardonnay,
and Magnificat, one of Napa Valley’s first Bordeaux style proprietary blends.
Agustin is recognized both as a philosopher and an artist. He has stamped his
imprimatur on a school of thought that has profoundly influenced the California
wine industry. To most vintners, a wine is a Chardonnay, perhaps, or a
Zinfandel, or a Merlot. To Agustin, a wine is the embodiment of a place. Its
heritage, its terrior, - its ‘somewhereness’, in his words – matters most.
Meritage wines, those artful blends that pay tribute to the winemaker rather
than to the variety, exemplify the Huneeus principle of “attaching wine to a
place.” Agustin’s famous Quintessa, a 100 point winner (1999), testifies to the
wisdom of his philosophy of allowing the vineyard to express itself.
Agustin served as Chairman of the 1996 Napa Valley Wine Auction, and was
awarded the Distinquished Service Award by the Wine Spectator Magazine that
same year. He is the former president and current chairman of Franciscan
Estates, a winery he brought from obscurity to world limelight. Along with his
winery at Long Shadows Vintners, Agustin retains ownership in Veramonte and
Quintessa. He resides at Quintessa Estates with his wife, Valeria, who holds a
Ph.D., and is a scientist and viticulturist in her own right.
Quintessa Winery
Veramonte
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