Rodrigo Blazquez is the winemaker for Santa Ema in Maipo, Chile. He is dedicated to crafting wines that reflect the character and origin of Chile in an accessible, expressive style.
He holds a degree in Agronomy Engineering with a specialization in Enology and Viticulture from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and earned a Fulbright scholarship in 2002 to complete a Master’s in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis.
His career spans leading wineries in both Chile and California, with expertise in viticulture, winemaking, and project development. He has also taught Wine Sensory Evaluation at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, deepening his focus on terroir-driven expression.
Since 2006, Rodrigo has been Winemaker at Santa Ema, where he has helped shape the winery’s premium portfolio and overall enological direction.
Media Inquiries: rblazquez@santaema.cl | https://www.santaema.cl/
What’s the ONE THING most unique & memorable about your winery brand?
The most unique and authentic aspect of Santa Ema is not a particular wine, vineyard, or winemaking technique—it is our ability to remain a family-owned winery with the same vision and values after 70 years. Founded in 1956 by the Pavone Voglino family, Santa Ema has grown from a family dream into an internationally recognized winery, while remaining true to its roots. Today, four generations of the family are part of the story. In an industry where ownership changes, consolidation is common, and market trends constantly evolve, maintaining a clear identity across seven decades is something we are deeply proud of.
Our story is one of continuity, resilience, and commitment. Over the past 70 years, we have witnessed profound changes in the Chilean wine industry and in consumer preferences around the world. While remaining faithful to our family values and winemaking philosophy, we have continuously adapted to new market realities, developed wines that respond to evolving consumer tastes, and strengthened our commitment to sustainability as a responsibility to future generations.
What makes Santa Ema unique is that every bottle carries not only the character of its origin, but also the legacy of a family that has dedicated seventy years to building something that can be passed from one generation to the next. For us, reaching 70 years is not simply a milestone—it is proof that tradition and innovation can coexist, and that family values can endure in a rapidly changing world.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained. Sky’s the limit!
Without constraints or limits, I would continue pushing further along the path of sustainability and regenerative viticulture, while crafting consistent wines for every market and price segment.
I am particularly passionate about terroir-driven wines, where each wine tells its own story and reflects the unique character of its origin. This is one of the most fascinating aspects of winemaking.
My dream would be to build a truly global wine brand and explore how the same grape variety expresses itself in different terroirs around the world. For example, creating a collection of Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay wines sourced from distinct wine regions across different countries, while maintaining a consistent winemaking approach and allowing the origin of the grapes to tell the story.
The goal would be to showcase the diversity of terroir through a single varietal, highlighting how place influences character, style, and expression.
Above all, I would continue striving to create wines that are accessible to a broad audience while maintaining a high level of quality—wines that people can enjoy, understand, and connect with, regardless of where they come from.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and winemaking style? Tell us its story.
If I had to choose one wine that represents Santa Ema, it would be Catalina.
Created by founder Félix Pavone, Catalina is a tribute to his wife, Catalina Moreno, whose support was central to the winery’s early years. It reflects Santa Ema’s defining value: family.
The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Cabernet Franc from Pirque in the Alto Maipo, one of Chile’s top Cabernet regions. It shows structure, elegance, and depth, shaped by both site and intent. As Santa Ema marks 70 years, Catalina stands as a symbol of continuity—linking the winery’s origins to its present. Stay tuned, this wine review is coming soon!
Bonus Question: What are your wholehearted convictions related to the wine business?
Wine is part of the human experience. It has been present at our tables for more than 7,000 years and should continue to be for generations to come. It is woven into the history of humanity and can be found throughout art, music, literature, sculpture, and painting.
For millennia, wine has been part of our culture and our daily lives. It represents work, joy, and togetherness. It is the labor of farmers and craftsmen, yet it also finds its place at the tables of families around the world. Wine is celebration and conversation; it is reflection and contemplation. It accompanies us as we enjoy music, read a book, share a meal, or simply pause to appreciate a moment.
Wine is there to celebrate life’s most important occasions—the birth of a child, a birthday, a wedding, an anniversary—and to honor moments of remembrance and farewell. It brings people together, creates memories, and becomes part of the stories we carry with us. To me, wine is history, emotion, memory, and flavor. It is both the beginning and the end of countless human stories.