84 SIDELINES MAY 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Continued on page 86
By Kylie Garrett
Considered an emblematic symbol of Chilean identity
and culture, the traditional huaso is a Chilean horseman
who, for centuries, has carried on the rural traditions of
the country’s heartland. Among those rural traditions,
wine enjoys a tenured history right in the backyard of the
huaso’s prime agricultural territory in central Chile.
Viña Casa Silva’s Managing Director and ffth generation
wine purveyor, Mario Pablo Silva continues his family’s
legacy as an award-winning wine producer and an award-
winning, active member of Chile’s polo community. A man
of many hats, Mario Pablo just recently served a four-year
tenure as President of the Chilean Polo Federation from
2008 to 2011 and is currently Vice President of Wines of
Chile, the trade association that represents the interests of
Chilean wine producers.
As President of the Chilean Polo Federation, Mario Pablo
led his countrymen to victory over Brazil in the 2008 World
Polo Championships in Mexico, earning Chile accolades
as the reigning World Polo Champions. Proving that the
grape doesn’t fall far from the vine, all of Mario Pablo’s
fve children share their father’s affnity for horses. Mario
Pablo’s oldest son, sixth generation, Maximiliano, 18, is
following his father’s footsteps as a promising young polo
star, currently one of the youngest polo players on Chile’s
national polo team. Mario, 13, and Clemente, 9, both play
for the Casa Silva team in the national polo league, and
Mario Pablo’s two daughters Dominga and Agustina ride
with the Casa Silva Polo, Rodeo & Horseback Jumping
Club. Behind the scenes, Mario Pablo’s wife, Andrea, can
be spotted among the crowd cheering on her children, as
well as her family of horses.
On the Silva’s 740-acre Viña Casa Silva estate, Mario
Pablo and his family’s passions for wine and horses unite.
Guests are welcome to ride along the vineyards of original
vines from Bordeaux, planted in 1912. While sipping on
a glass of Casa Silva wine from the century-old vines that
paint the landscape, visitors are encouraged to visit the
P
O
L
O
Mario Pablo Silva’s 18-year old son, Maximiliano Silva, one of
the youngest polo players on Chile’s national polo team
Casa Silva vineyards
Wine Saddles Up
at Chile’s Viña
Casa Silva
Two Chilean
Traditions Collide