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Born in Santiago, Chile, Agustin Huneeus began his career there and is one of the few vintners who has dedicated his entire professional life to the wine industry.  After over 40 years in wine, he continues to be involved in multiple projects spanning many of the new world’s top appellations. Perhaps best known today for creating Quintessa, the luxury wine and wine estate he and wife Valeria own in Rutherford, Napa Valley, the Huneeus family also owns Veramonte, the fine wine estate he created in Casablanca Valley, Chile in the 1990’s – leading the way for the discovery of the region’s winemaking potential. In partnership with his son Agustin Francisco, Agustin launched Huneeus Vintners in 2005, a company dedicated to building a family-owned portfolio of fine wine estates. Faust, our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon launched in early 2006 is the newest addition to this portfolio.

Huneeus is recognized as a driving force behind the concept of terroir in the United States, insisting that it is the place that the grapes are grown, rather than the varietal, which gives wine its character and personality. The philosophy that great vineyards make great wine has been his guiding principle in the many projects he has taken on since moving to California. Agustin’s vast and diverse experience has led to other strongly held beliefs about the future of the wine business. He believes that “brands” play a minor role in the high end of the business; that it is place and type that the consumer truly seeks. He also believes that numerical ratings, as they are used today, are an aberration.