Terrazas

It is a specially selected plot of land within the old Vistalba vineyard, which is characterized by its limited but highly consistent production. This way, the resulting Malbec has great richness of components and results in exceptional wines, of great aromatic and flavor concentration. Afincado Malbec is the best expression of this treasured terroir: it is only made in exceptional harvests and in limited volumes.

This vineyard was planted in 1929 and as with the rest of the Malbec in Mendoza, with very old selections of the original material brought from Europe. This results in grapevines with lower yields but of greater richness and concentration. The traditional plantation method at the time was the one used in the Bordeaux region. Plantation density is high. This high plant/hectare ratio is a significant quality factor since it allows obtaining fewer clusters per plant resulting in more concentrated aromas and flavors.

Another important detail is the orientation of the rows. They are placed from North to South and they receive more insolation during the morning and afternoon, and less at noon, thus avoiding direct radiation on the clusters during the highest temperature hours.

These are very old vineyards, planted between 1929 and 1930, with 5500 plants per hectare, i.e. a high density vineyard. Located to the west of Luján de Cuyo and north of Mendoza River, its soils are not very deep, sandy loam and very permeable. Average annual rainfall is 180 millimeters.

It is a cool area, with dry climate. Its most important feature is the varying day and night temperatures (almost 15°C in December) as a result of the altitude. These vineyards have an abundant source of high quality water for superficial irrigation, since it is one of the first sources of Mendoza River. Vine irrigation is carried out in the traditional way by furrow irrigation. Due to the terroir’s conditions, these terraces are ideal to grow Malbec, the grape variety that best represents Argentine wine style.

In Vistalba, the ripening period is much longer than in other areas of the world. In fact, in Bordeaux about 45 days go buy from January (when the grapes change their color) until harvest. In Vistalba, this period lasts up to 70 days. This means that during this period, the plant continues accumulating aromas, anthicyanins and tannins, i.e. grapes of higher concentration and richness are obtained since the plant has more time to produce them.

Malbec is undoubtedly our most representative variety: it was the most cultivated and the one resulting in wines of greater character. It was brought to Mendoza, as all the other European varieties, in 1850 by a French expert called Michael Pouget. Hired by Mendoza’s Government, Pouget introduced almost all the important varieties grown in France, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Semillon, etc. But it was Malbec the one which gained more importance, reaching 50,000 hectares in the 60s..

These vineyards, located west of Luján de Cuyo and south of the Mendoza River, are about 20 years old, with 4200 plants per hectare. The soil is not too deep, stony and very permeable. Average yearly rainfall is about 180 millimeters. This is a cool region with dry weather and daily thermal amplitude of 14°C in summer. The vines are traditionally, furrow irrigated. These terraces offer the best conditions to achieve perfect ripeness of the tannins thus yielding a fruity, well-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.

These vineyards, located to the East of Luján de Cuyo and to the north of the Mendoza River, are between 7, 15 and 20 years old, depending on the plots of land, between 3800 and 4200 vines are plated per hectare. Soils are formed by the alluvial deposit of materials originating from the Andes Mountain Range.

In general, they are clayey, shallow and lie on a bed of stones, some of which are of considerable size. The average annual rainfall is about 200 millimeters, mainly spread throughout the summer months. This is a dry region of rather warm climate, with thermal amplitude of about 13°C in summer.

The grapevines are irrigated with the traditional furrow irrigation method. The western area of Luján de Cuyo is ideal for the production of red grapes. Cruz the Piedra terraces allow the Syrah variety to reach the greatest fruit expression, resulting in wines that stand out for their structure, intensity and meatiness.

This vineyard, located to the west of Tupungato, is between 7 and 10 years old and there are 3,400 vines per hectare. Its soils, sandy and shallow, were formed by the alluvial deposit of material coming from the Andes Mountain Range. Average yearly rainfall is about 200 millimeters.

It is a dry region, with a 16°C thermal amplitude in the summer months. The area has a source of very pure irrigation water due to its proximity to the high mountains. A drip irrigation system is used. Due to its features, this terrace allows obtaining the best Merlot and Chardonnay.

This vineyard was planted in 1969 and is located inside Perdriel terrace. It is an old vineyard which, due to its age, results in a limited production and is characterized by the perfect conditions of its vines

Its produces consistent, well-balanced and high quality grapes, with very good aromatic and flavor concentration which results in a complex product.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the variety we obtain at this vineyard since it finds here the ideal place to develop. The soil is poor in terms of organic materials and this guarantees the vines natural balance. An important part of managing this variety lies in obtaining a good canopy (green part of the vine made up of leaves and leaf buds) which can protect the cluster from direct insolation.

This vineyard is 80 km away from the south of Mendoza City, in Valle de Uco. It is characterized by its sandy-loam, well drained and not very fertile soils. Petit Manseng finds here its ideal place to grow and give rise to a late harvest wine.

Petit Manseng is a variety brought from the south of France which is characterized by its very small berries and high acidity which allows keeping the clusters on the vine concentrating sugars until the end of the season.

The semi-desert conditions and soils allow the clusters to reach top quality conditions in late April or early May, when they are harvested.