By Jamie Knee

When you think of wine travel, Miami may not be the first destination that comes to mind. Yet as a luxury wine travel writer, I was invited to cover a special Don Melchor 30th anniversary tasting at Bourbon Steak in the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, where Chile’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon met South Florida glamour in one unforgettable evening. This luxury wine travel Don Melchor experience brought one of South America’s most celebrated wineries directly to Miami, proving that world class wine moments can happen far from the vineyards themselves.

A Culinary and Wine Pairing Experience at Bourbon Steak, JW Marriott Turnberry

The celebration unfolded at the stunning Bourbon Steak House inside the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, where the team crafted thoughtful pairings that honored each wine’s complexity and style. With impeccable service and elegant substitutions for non–red-meat eaters, the evening showcased hospitality at its very best

An Exclusive Evening with Winemaker Enrique Tirado

Among the attendees were Don Melchor’s renowned winemaker, Enrique Tirado, along with a select circle of Miami’s wine, luxury hospitality, and publishing professionals—including Courtland Lantaff of Ocean Drive Magazine. This intimate gathering set the tone for a night of storytelling, discovery, and rare pours.

Host Courtland Lantaff, Ocean Drive Magazine!

Don Melchor wine has celebrated iconic status in Chile, since it was first made in 1987. Initially they only made Cabernet Sauvignon, now the brand has added Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot to some of its wines, and I have to say that the results are near perfect. Their seven parcel vineyard is located near the Maipo River with stony soils that provide excellent drainage in Puente Alto, Chile.

Winemaker Enrique Tirado has had a long and illustrious career at Viña Concha y Toro, the parent company of Don Melchor. He joined the Company in 1995 to lead its premium brands, and was later appointed head winemaker of Concha y Toro’s super-premium and ultra-premium labels in 1997, including the company’s icon wine, Don Melchor.

The lineup featured several treasured vintages, including an astonishing 1987 Cabernet Sauvignon—still vibrant, structured, and layered with black cherry, blackberry, black olive, and graceful tannins that caressed the palate. It was nearly impossible to believe the wine was more than three decades old. The 2015 vintage offered its own youthful brilliance with concentrated dark fruit, mineral notes, and sleek tannins that promise decades of evolution, though it was already irresistible in its early expression.

Even after years of tasting around the world, evenings like this remind me why Don Melchor remains a global icon and why Chilean wines are poised for an even brighter moment on the international stage.

Cheers to traditions that endure, vintages that inspire, and to discovering luxury wine experiences in the most unexpected places.

Petite Wine Traveler with Enrique Tirado, Don Melchor Wine Maker!