Rafael Guilisasti Viñedos Emiliana SA, Chile
2008 president, International Wine and Spirit Competition
Having studied at the Institue of History of Universidad Católica de Chile he joined Viña Concha y Toro S.A in 1977 and became export director in 1985 until 1998. In 1998 he became a member of the board of Viña Concha y Toro and today he is Vice-President. From 1986 to date he is the general manager of Viñedos Emiliana SA. Five years ago at Viñedos Emiliana they started an ambitious project to change all the vineyards to organic and biodynamic practices, 100% fully certified. Currently they manage 548 hectares of organically grown grapes and 320 that are in transition to organic certification. Giulisasti also was responsible for creating "G" the first biodynamic wine to be produced in Chile.
During his 7 year tenure as President of Viñas de Chile (1996 - 2003) he was heavily involved in negotiating the framework of free trade agreements with the EU and US and working on many projects including the establishment of training programmes for wine industry workers in Chile, scientific investigation, research and technology development and wine education. In an international scope he supported the agreement of Mutual Recognition of Enological Practices amongst New World countries. He is currently a member of the Board of Viñas de Chile.
He is also President of the Board of Vinnova, a consortium enterprise formed by wineries, universities and Government, focused on generating a sustainable innovation model in order to potentate the Chilean viticulture industry creating innovative knowledge and technologies.