Luxury Wine Travel Don Melchor: A 30th Anniversary Celebration in Miami
Wine as a Passport: Don Melchor Wine Comes to Miami
By Jamie Knee
When you think of wine travel, Miami may not be the first destination that comes to mind. Yet as aย 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. Here, 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. It proved that world-class wine moments can happen far from the vineyards themselves.ย Don Melchor Wines
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. 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.ย Wine Travel Writer Jamie Knee on Turnberry Aventura
For more on Miami’s Dining Scene: Food & Wine Writer Jamie Knee on Miami’s Dining Scene
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Winemaker Enrique Tirado
Among the attendees were Don Melchor’s renowned winemaker, Enrique Tirado. Along with him was 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. Ocean Drive Magazine Wine Travel Writer
An Exclusive Evening with Don Melchor
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. 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 built a long, celebrated career at Vina Concha y Toro, the parent company of Don Melchor. He joined the company in 1995 to lead its premium brands. In 1997, he stepped into the role of head winemaker for Concha y Toro’s super premium and ultra premium labels, including its icon wine, Don Melchor.ย Concha Y Toro Wines
The lineup featured several treasured vintages, including an astonishing 1987 Cabernet Sauvignon. Notably, it remained vibrant and structured, layered with black cherry, blackberry, and black olive. Even so, it was nearly impossible to believe the wine was more than three decades old. Meanwhile, the 2015 vintage offered youthful brilliance, with concentrated dark fruit, mineral notes, and sleek tannins. Ultimately, these promise decades of evolution, though the wine already felt irresistible.
Even after years of tasting around the world, evenings like this remind me why Don Melchor remains a global icon. They also show 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.
Global Wine writer Jamie Knee, with Enrique Tirado, Don Melchor’s Winemaker!
Work with Jamie Knee
Jamie Knee is a luxury wine travel writer, global wine presenter, wine spokesperson, Forbes Travel Guide Speaker, international wine judge, and founder of Petite Wine Traveler. Her work sits at the intersection of wine, food, travel, luxury hospitality, aviation, hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise lines, wine regions, and destination storytelling.
Through editorial coverage, on-camera wine segments, hosted tastings, keynote presentations, staff wine education, and brand storytelling, Jamie helps travel and hospitality partners bring wine to life in a way that feels approachable, beautiful, and connected to place. Her signature platform, Wine as a Passport, explores how wine can open the door to culture, cuisine, landscape, hospitality, and meaningful travel experiences.
For airlines, wine regions, tourism boards, hotels, resorts, restaurants, festivals, cruise lines, and luxury travel brands, Jamie creates content and presentations that help audiences understand not only what is in the glass, but why the experience around the glass matters.
To collaborate with Jamie Knee on wine travel editorial coverage, television segments, hosted wine experiences, luxury hospitality storytelling, wine education, or destination-focused media partnerships, please contactย Contact Jamie Knee
