Happy Wine Wednesday! This series showcases the best places to experience vino around the world. Join us in Patagonia where the weather is nice and mild all year long. No wonder Patagonia wineries make such tasty vino!
Patagonia Wineries
Argentina
Patagonia is defined as the southernmost part of Argentina and part of Chile. The geography varies and includes natural areas like deserts, steppes, grasslands, and portions of the Andes mountains. Generally, the climate is cool and dry, with average temperatures hovering around 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Because there are rarely extremes, Patagonia wineries enjoy some of the best soil in the world.
Grasslands are a characteristic of Patagonia.
Aglodon Wine Estates
Located in the Cuadro Benegas district of San Rafael, the vineyards of this Patagonia winery enjoy ideal growing conditions for red grapes due to the mixture of dry clay and sand – both rich in minerals. Water used in the vineyards comes from the Andes mountains and nourishes the eight varieties of grapes grown here: Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Semillon. Guided tours by on-site sommeliers are available, however a more in-depth experience is also offered. Ask for a customize tour – Aglodon is happy to oblige!
Beauty like this is par for the course in Patagonia. Photo: http://www.algodonwineresort.com/tourism/gallery
If an afternoon tasting isn’t enough, then stay at the beautiful hotel on-site. You’ll love the tranquility of Patagonia wine country. Sip your wine on the wrap-around porch or maybe by the poolside. Furthermore, this winery boasts its very own golf course and lets you play right in the vineyards, olive groves, and orchards.
Visit their site: http://www.algodonwineestates.com/index
Bodego Del Fin del Mundo
This winery is blessed with low humidity and scarce rainfall. As a result, the chances of vine damaging bacteria is low, and batches are perfect every year. Varietals have won awards both domestically and abroad. Over a dozen varieties are produced here, and tours include not only a selection of the best wines but also a spread of Patagonian products. Guided tours are available year round, however the most noteworthy are the more hands-on tours available during special times. Harvest time in Autumn includes a stroll through the vineyards, and visitors receive a personal bunch of grapes for a keepsake. In addition, visitors in July and August may take part in the annual pruning.
Visit their site here: http://bodegadelfindelmundo.com/en/index/
At harvest time, you can wander the vineyards and take home a bunch of grapes. Photo: goo.gl/k7BwOF
Bodega Patritti
Though fairly new to the Patagonia wine scene, Bodega Patritti has earned their place among the best. Since 2003, this winery features 9 varieties: Malbec, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Torrentés.
AT Bodega Patritti, great care is taken to ensure the health of the vines. Photo: goo.gl/UcyZOC
Bodega Patritti features two reserve lines: Lassia and Primogénito. Lassia is named after a pre-historic sea, Panthalassa, that once covered Patagonia, and so this line is a tribute to the origin of the land. Primogénito is inspired by a garabato stick, a traditional farming instrument. As a result, Primogénito is dedicated to the hard work on the winery as well as the Patagonian soil.
Visit their website here: http://www.bodegaspatritti.com.ar/en/#page-top
Casa Bianchi
The founder of this winery came to Argentina by way of Italy in 1910. After three generations, it’s still a family business. Due to its notoriety as a quality label, it is one of the most visited wineries in the country and possesses a heterogeneous alluvial soil which includes clay loam, sandy loam, and stony terroir.
Third-generation winemakers tend these vines. Photo: http://www.casabianchi.com.ar/en/bodega
In the 1990s, this Patagonia winery engineered two new varieties of wine: champagne and sparkling wine. The desire to create sparkling wine was due to a growing interest for the wine from the public. The champagne was a different story: because of their desire for perfection, it took twenty years to develop. The owners sought the guidance of a French technician who studied under Dr. Emil Peynaud, the world expert on champagne. Consequently, they are quite proud of it. Why not take home a bottle since there’s a store on-site?
Visit here: http://www.casabianchi.com.ar/en/home
Enjoy a glass of Malbec on the porch of a Patagonia winery. Give us a call! We can customize ANY tour. Make your excursion to Patagonia exactly how you want it.