Ferran Adrià and Ferran Centelles Visit Centro del Vino Concha y Toro: “It Is a One-of-a-Kind Place in the World”

International leaders in culinary innovation and wine culture visited Centro del Vino Concha y Toro in Pirque for a day dedicated to discovering Chile’s winemaking history and heritage, as well as some of the company’s finest wines. The visit took place during their trip to Chile to participate in the International Innovation Congress organized by Universidad San Sebastián.

Ferran Adrià and Ferran Centelles visited Centro del Vino Concha y Toro in Pirque as part of their agenda in Chile. During their visit, they had the opportunity to explore the country’s wine culture and discover Centro del Vino, which brings together wine, heritage, culture, nature, gastronomy and an immersive museum experience.

“It has been a wonderful visit. I believe this is a one-of-a-kind place in the world, where the beauty of this incredible garden comes together with the beauty of the wine the family produces. Thank you so much for your generosity,” said Ferran Adrià following his visit.

“Centro del Vino Concha y Toro offers two fabulous, immersive hours exploring wine culture, winemaking and the sensory experience of tasting wine. Those two hours fly by because there are so many elements presented in such a clear, beautiful and sensory way. They immerse you in wine culture and help you understand it so you can enjoy it even more. I highly recommend coming and experiencing it for yourself,” added Ferran Centelles.

The visit, held on October 24, was particularly significant given the careers of both guests and their close connection to innovation and knowledge in the worlds of gastronomy and wine. Ferran Adrià is president of elBullifoundation, creator of the Sapiens methodology and one of the world’s leading figures in culinary innovation and creativity. Sapiens is a methodology developed by Adrià and the elBullifoundation team to research, connect knowledge and foster understanding through a holistic and systemic approach, with applications in areas including creativity and innovation.

Ferran Centelles, meanwhile, was a sommelier at elBullirestaurante and is currently Beverage Director at elBullifoundation. He also leads Sapiens del Vino, a Bullipedia project dedicated to connecting and deepening knowledge of the world of wine. The initiative has been developed as a series of eight volumes covering topics ranging from viticulture, winemaking and sommellerie to wine tasting and the customer experience in restaurants.

A Journey Through Chilean Wine Culture

The day began at Casa Don Melchor and continued with a tour of Centro del Vino’s museum experience, introducing the guests to the history of Concha y Toro and different facets of Chilean wine culture.

The group then visited Gran Barra Bodega 1883, a space dedicated to discovering different Chilean wines, styles and terroirs. Stretching more than 25 meters, this monumental bar features a design incorporating the bases of 5,184 bottles and offers more than 50 labels by the glass or bottle.

The visit continued at Casa Don Melchor with a presentation on Concha y Toro’s Center for Research and Innovation (CII), led by Gerard Casaubon, creating an engaging exchange around knowledge and innovation, two areas that have played a central role in Ferran Adrià’s work.

The experience concluded with an aperitif and lunch at Casa Don Melchor, accompanied by a selection of Concha y Toro’s iconic wines: Amelia Chardonnay 2024 and Pinot Noir 2023, Carmín de Peumo 2023, and two vintages of iconic Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor: 2018 and 2023.

Innovation as a Meeting Point

The visit to Centro del Vino Concha y Toro followed Ferran Adrià and Ferran Centelles’ participation in the International Innovation Congress, “Challenging the Frontiers in Health and Rehabilitation,” organized by Universidad San Sebastián on October 22 and 23 at its Bellavista Campus. The event brought together specialists from different disciplines and addressed innovation in areas including nutrition, research and development, speech-language pathology, social innovation, pain management and neurorehabilitation.

As part of the program, Ferran Adrià presented the talk “Sapiens Methodology: Understanding to Innovate” and participated in the panel discussion “Eating as an Act of Care,” alongside Rodolfo Guzmán, chef and founder of Boragó, as well as researchers, family members and experts by experience.

Charles Zuker was also among those who visited Centro del Vino. A sensory neurobiologist at Columbia University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Zuker, who was awarded the 2026 Wolf Prize in Medicine for his research into the mechanisms of taste, was also one of the Congress’s international guests, where he presented the talk “The Journey of Taste: From the Tongue to the Brain.”

Ferran Adrià and Ferran Centelles’ visit to Pirque brought together innovation, creativity and knowledge with the world of Chilean wine, in a space designed to introduce visitors from Chile and around the world to its history, culture and heritage. Inaugurated in 2025 and located just 20 kilometers from downtown Santiago, Centro del Vino Concha y Toro spans more than 12,000 square meters and brings together nature, art, wine, gastronomy, technology and historical heritage.