There are far more exciting producers in Mendoza than you might think. Most export markets are dominated by the three-four giant producers (I’m sure you know the names). It is often difficult to find smaller, more personal quality-oriented producers on export markets.
Inspired by our recently completed wine tour in Argentina and Chile, we would like to briefly introduce some. Our tour focuses on smaller producers of quality, not always easy to find “at home” but so much more exciting to visit and explore on site than the larger ones more focused on “industrial” tourism and wine.
Casarena,
— located near Mendoza city in Lujan de Cujo, known for its single vineyard wines, Jamilla, Owen, Lauren, and Naoki.
Alfa Crux,
— a beautifully impressive modern facility with an art collection, at 1200 m altitude in Valle de Uco with breathtaking views of the Andes.
Finca La Igriega,
— a small family producer at high altitude in the Uco Valley, pioneer of regional wines, e.g. Paraje Altamira.
Matervini,
— project number 2 of the famous Santiago Achával and Roberto Cipresso, exclusive wines from malbec from different parts of Mendoza. They have direct sales through a wine club in the USA.
Otero Ramos,
— a family winery in Luján de Cuyo near Mendoza city that makes both malbec and more unusual wines, e.g. one of the delicious torrontés.
Familia Cassone,
— with obvious Italian roots, this family business makes e.g. top-quality malbec and syrah, but also a surprising tempranillo.
Weinert,
— one of the most original and surprising producers in Mendoza, does not own any vineyards, has an improbably impressive barrel cellar and a seemingly inexhaustible supply of old vintages.
Going on a wine tour is not just about finding and tasting wines you can buy “at home” but just as much about experiencing a country and discovering what it has to offer. Inspiration. Experiences. Which might entice you to discover something other than the usual when back home…?
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Travel: Come on a wine tour to Chile and Argentina with BKWine.
See: See pictures and videos from Chile and Argentina in the latest wine tour’s Facebook group.
