Chile's Viña VIK Crowned World's Best Vineyard for 2025

The Chilean estate, Viña VIK, situated in the Millahue Valley, has officially secured the prestigious title of The World's Best Vineyard for 2025. This significant announcement, sponsored by Resy & Tock, was made public on November 19, 2025, during a formal ceremony held in Margaret River, located in Western Australia.

This remarkable achievement propels Chilean wine tourism onto the global stage, highlighting a successful synergy between cutting-edge science, striking architectural design, and a deep-seated commitment to sustainable practices. The estate was established in 2004 by Norwegian entrepreneurs Alexander and Carrie Vik, following an exhaustive two-year scientific investigation to pinpoint the perfect terroir. Spanning an impressive 4,450 hectares, only a fraction of this vast property is dedicated to viticulture.

The Millahue Valley, historically known to the indigenous Mapuche people as the Golden Place (Lugar de Oro), boasts a complex topography featuring 12 distinct sub-valleys. Each of these micro-regions possesses its own unique climate profile, which is instrumental in imparting the exceptional freshness and structure characteristic of VIK’s wines.

VIK has demonstrated consistent upward momentum in the rankings since the competition’s inception in 2019. The winery previously achieved third place in 2023 and secured the runner-up position in 2024 before finally claiming the top spot this year. The architectural marvel of the estate was conceived by the renowned Chilean architect Smiljan Radić, working in collaboration with Loreto Lyon. A significant portion of the winery is cleverly built underground to leverage natural cooling, maintaining a consistent temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.

Crowning the structure is a sculptural, semi-translucent roof crafted from bronze titanium. This feature gives the impression of a large, white wing seemingly hovering just above the building itself. This blend of form and function underscores the estate's dedication to integrating its operations seamlessly with the environment.

Environmental stewardship forms the bedrock of VIK’s operational philosophy. This commitment involves rigorously protecting large tracts of natural land and implementing forward-thinking systems, such as the innovative Barroir technique. The Barroir system dictates that wine barrels are constructed using oak timber harvested directly from the estate’s own forests. This ensures that the resulting wines genuinely capture the essence and identity of the surrounding woodland.

The jury, comprising over 700 international experts, specifically recognized this profound emphasis on achieving harmony between the built environment, nature, and the art of winemaking. Furthermore, Chile’s strength in the wine world is underscored by the fact that six national wineries made it into this year’s Top 50 list, signaling a broader global shift toward comprehensive wine experiences that merge artistry with adventure.