Weinert Bodega Y Cavas

Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

Bodega & Cavas de Weinert was founded by Don Bernardo Weinert, a Brazilian of German origins, in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. Fascinated with the wine world, Don Bernardo Weinert decided to build his own winery in Argentina with an unconditional approach: to produce high quality wines. Before getting involved in such task, he carried out an extensive study of Mendoza´s weather, soil and vines; and he found in Luján de Cuyo the perfect place for his business. After a difficult process of restoration of the building acquired in 1974, he brought the latest technology for the wine production and he joined with Rául de la Mota, who was known worldwide for being the father of modern winemaking in Argentina, and who was also named the best oenologist of the 20th century in Argentina. In 1996, Hubert Weber, a Swiss oenologist became part of the winery. With only 27 years old he became Bodega & Cavas de Weinert main oenologist till the present.

Finca La Escarcha

La Arboleda, Mendoza, Argentina

Santiago Reta is the man behind the Rhône-infused, garagiste label Finca La Escarcha. His 64-acre vineyard is dedicated to the voluminous, aromatic whites and the dark, earthy reds of southern France. Santiago is a purposeful farmer and vintner; soil composition and variation determined the layout of his vineyard as well as specific farming approaches.

The winery, designed by architect and wife, Carolina, handles Santiago’s 1,000 case production and appeals perfectly to his sensibilities as a winemaker; concrete eggs, a small barrel room and a couple of stainless steel tanks are the essential elements in the minimalist, but well considered space. His wines demonstrate a skilled rhythm of acid, elegance, fruit and persistence.

Entrelíneas, or between the lines, is a fitting name for Santiago’s flagship varietal wines. A play on a literary reference that values the inexplicit over the obvious, these small release wines are made from vines planted in the chalky striations identified from the vineyard’s original soil mapping.

Encubierto, the newest addition to the La Escarcha lineup, was inspired by the mischievous old fox that wanders the vineyards. Offered simply as Blend de Blancas and Blend de Tintas, these young concrete and oak-aged wines offer great value and quality from this small estate.