Almaviva vertical tasting at 67 Pall Mall

A vertical masterclass on Almaviva

This London event is a vertical masterclass devoted to Almaviva, the Chilean wine conceived as an interpretation of the Bordeaux château model. The tasting focuses on how the wine has developed from that founding idea into a recognised South American fine-wine reference point.

Almaviva is tied to a single site on gravelly soils in Puente Alto in the Maipo Valley, identified by Concha y Toro, with production originally overseen by both partners. Its first vintage was released in 1998, and the wine later became the first non-Bordeaux wine offered through La Place.

Epu and six Almaviva vintages

The poured line-up includes Epu, Almaviva’s more approachable, earlier-drinking second wine, alongside six vintages of Almaviva reaching back to 1999. The named wines are 2022 Epu, 2024 Almaviva, 2022 Almaviva, 2021 Almaviva, 2015 Almaviva, 2008 Almaviva and 1999 Almaviva, all listed as Puente Alto, Chile.

Michel Friou leads the tasting

The masterclass is hosted by Michel Friou, Almaviva’s head winemaker, who has marked his 20th vintage in the role. His background includes work connected to the Languedoc, the Loire Valley, India, Cape Mentelle, Château Margaux, Viña Aquitania and Casa Lapostolle before joining the Rothschild group in 2004.

The tasting also relates directly to Almaviva’s stylistic evolution: Cabernet-led structure and polished French-oak élevage remain part of the wine, while the winemaking has increasingly aimed to express freshness, balance and the cool, Andean-influenced Puente Alto terroir.

67 Pall Mall timing and access details

Organised by 67 Pall Mall, the event takes place in London on Wednesday 30 September 2026. The schedule lists a glass on arrival at 18:30, the masterclass starting at 19:00 and ending at 20:30.