Argentina & Chile have some of the most extensive, diverse range of winemaking regions in the world, stretching some 1,500 miles from Salta at 22º latitude south to the far reaches of Patagonia at more than 40º latitude south. All of these regions boast the beautiful back drop of the majestic Andes, some of the highest mountains in the world. In Argentina,the snow capped peaks act as a cloud curtain blocking the Pacific ocean weather fronts, creating desert vineyards throughout the country. On the Chilean side, the marine influence helps keep temperatures moderate and stable. Each latitude possesses a unique terroir with singular combinations of soil and temperature which are ideally suited for different varietals.

MALBEC
Malbec is the undisputed signature grape from Argentina. The high altitude desert oasis of Mendoza has provided the ideal conditions for this once minor French blending grape to unfurl its strengths as nowhere else in the world. The bright sunny days give a deep blackish color and dark fruit flavours while the cool mountain nights produce violet aromas and a soft, supple texture.

Altamira is the heart of Malbec country in Mendoza, located in the far southerly corner of the Uco Valley. The Vasquez vineyard is a 25 year old Malbec vineyard in this prized appellation. A unique characteristic of Altamira is its very heterogeneous soils. In the same row, one can find sandy, then rocky and then silty soil profiles. At the moment of harvest, each soil profile lends different aromatic components, lending greater complexity to the final wine.

Bright sunny days of exceptionally intense sunshine provide ripe, sweet dark fruit profile with richness, concentration and softness. Low mountain temperatures, especially at night, provide for intense violet aromatics and bright, racy acidity.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cabernet Sauvignon helped put Chile on the international wine map, and the region of Alto Maipo, at 2,500' elevation, produces its most elegant, balanced expression. The morning sun must scale the Argentine side of the Andes, keeping the vines cool. The afternoon sun warms the vineyards, allowing the vines to produce rich, ripe fruit flavors. The cool mountain breezes that slide down the hillsides at night help the grapes retain bright natural acidity for elegance and balance.

Rising into the Andean foothills, the Alto Maipo section ranges from roughly 1,300 to 2,600 feet (400 to 800 meters) above sea level and is highly influenced by the mountains themselves.

The rising sun must scale the Argentine side of the peaks before first morning light reaches the vines on its western—Chilean—slopes. The afternoon sun warms the vineyards and the cool mountains breezes that slide down the hillsides at night create a broad thermal amplitude.

These are ideal conditions for bold yet elegant red wines, especially the regional star, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Argentina has one of the most extensive, diverse range of winemaking regions in the world, stretching some 5,000 miles from Salta at 22º latitude south to the far reaches of Patagonia at more than 40º latitude south.

All of these regions boast the beautiful back drop of the majestic Andes, some of the highest mountains in the world. The sonw capped peaks act as a cloud curtain blocking the Pacific ocean weather fronts. This creates a rain shadow on the Argentine side of the mountains, resulting desert vineyards throughout the country.

Each latitude possesses a unique terroir with singular combinations of soil and temperature which are ideally suited for different varietals.

PINOT NOIR
It is rather ironic that that the finicky Pinot Noir chose the rugged hinterlands of Patagonia's far southerly vineyards to show its unique South American expression. This wine was sourced from the heart of Pinot country – Añelo, in the far reaches of Neuquén. These wind swept vineyards with their cool southerly temperatures produce a wine of deep red color, with floral aromas, ripe red fruit flavours and a soft, supple texture.

Neuquén is located at 40° latitude south and is one of the southermost wine regions in Argentina. While altitude is low at around 1,600', the far southerly location offers very cool temperatures, with averages around 62° F. Bright red, iron rich soils lend minerality and complexity, as well as offering excellent drainage. Irrigation water comes from the Rio Neuquén. The cool southerly temperatures provide a delicate style of Pinot Noir, with pretty floral aromas, bright cherry fruit and supple texture.

Carmenérère has quickly developed into Chile's signature red wine grape. It disappeared in European vineyards in the mid-1800s and reappeared in Chile more than 100 years later. Needing a long growing season to reach ripeness, the cool moderate autumns in Colchagua allow Carmenérère to develop its signature dark, rich fruit flavors and full, yet soft texture.

The southernmost portion of the Rapel Valley is one of Chile's best known wine regions and has earned much applause for its full-bodied Carmenérère . Low humidity, the Pacific Ocean's maritime influence and the breeze from the Andes Mountain Range generate an ideal condition for grape growing, especially in the summer months (November - April), where thermal variation fluctuates up to 22° C (62° F).

Chile's most dominant characteristic is the marine influence from the Pacific Ocean. At different latitudes, wine regions are closer or further away from the sea – an important aspect in defining its growing conditions.

One of the key effects of Chile's marin influence is on temperatures and relative humidity levels. The stabilizing effect of ocean proximity keeps temperatures low, resulting in slower more even ripening and the retention of natural acidity for freshness and balance. Higher levels of realtive humidity aldo keep the vines healthy, ensuring heightened levesl of photosynthesis and ripening.

In addition, each latitude possesses a unique terroir with singular combinations of soil and temperature which are ideally suited for different varietals.

SAUVIGNON BLANC
Sauvignon Blanc has chosen the cool coastal Casablanca valley to reveal its unique Chilean expression. Morning fog blowing off the nearby Pacific Ocean keeps temperatures low, allowing the fruit to develop bright citric fruit flavors. The tempering influence of the cold Pacific waters helps the grapes retain clean crisp acidity.

Casablanca is a coastal valley, located 18 kilometers from the sea, on the costal planes of the region and surrounded by the coastal mountain range.

It has a marked maritime influence, the climate mostly cold with morning fog and a wide thermal range between day a night favoring the slow maturity of the grape.

The maritime influence enters in the form of cool breezes around midday and mist - large masses of humid air - around dawn. The air that enter is cold due to the fact that the Pacific Ocean along the Chilean coast is affected by the cold Humboldt Current from the Antartic.

Cafayate district of Salta, the northernmost winemaking province of Argentina. Located just south of the town of Cafayate, at 5,700’ elevation, high on the eastern slope of the Valle de Calchaquies.

Due to its location high on the eastern slopes, the soil profile of this vineyard is unique in Salta – a very shallow, vey rocky soil with abundant splintered shale on the surface. The little soil that is present is full of crushed mica. This soil profile lends a distinct salty minerality to the Torrontes fruit. The grapes are harvested early in order to showcase their distinct jasmine floral aromas and citrus fruit profile. Natural acidity lends a bright, clean finish.