Sebastián Labbé is the head winemaker at Viña Santa Rita in Chile. From an early age, Sebastián has loved oenology and sports, convinced that Chile’s winds, waves and soils are among the best in the world.

He studied Viticulture and Enology at a New Zealand university and trained at Tyrrell’s in Australia and Margrain Vineyard in New Zealand before becoming chief winemaker at Viña Carmen in Chile in 2005. In 2017 he joined Viña Santa Rita, focusing on their ultra-premium wines, and was recognised as “Revelation Winemaker of the Year” by Descorchados 2020 wine guide.

The best advice I ever got

Never think you know enough about something.

My life motto

Happiness and balance.

I am currently reading

The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf.

My most played music track

Tom Sawyer by Rush.

If I didn’t do my current job I would be

Would love to be a full-time windsurfer.

Skill I don’t currently possess but would like to have 

I would love to speak French.

My favourite kind of exercise

Playing in the ocean.

I relax while

I'm planning on windsurfing in the ocean.

I collect

Surfboards.

My essential newspaper/magazine

La Tercera.

My desert-island wine

Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses by Dauvissat.

I have learnt a lot from

My mum.

My last meal and sip will be

Fresh slices of fish, lime and a great Chardonnay.