Architecture, Boutique, Hotel Winery
Bodega Familia Schroeder is a winery in Neuquén not only known for its wines but also for the dinosaur fossils that were discovered in its cellar when the winery was being built. You can visit Schroeder winery (and see a replica of the fossils in its cellar) where you can taste through the wide range of wines in the portfolio. This is also one of the few wineries in Patagonia to have a restaurant with a wine-paired menu.
Whether you call it Casa Vigil, Casa El Enemigo or the El Enemigo winery, you can visit the home of winemaker Alejandro Vigil where a boutique winery, an award-winning restaurant and quirky cellar await. Here you can taste through the entire El Enemigo range. Vigil makes the El Enemigo wines (aka. Bodega Aleanna) with Adrianna Catena (of Catena Zapata) where he is also the winemaker.
Viña Cobos winery is the acclaimed wine producer belonging to international winemaker Paul Hobbs. Having worked in Argentina since 1988, Paul Hobbs became so convinced of the potential of Argentine Malbec that he started his own winery, Viña Cobos, in the heart of Mendoza’s Luján de Cuyo in 1999. Twenty years on and Viña Cobos is one of the most respected producers of single-vineyard Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay in Argentina. Focused on the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, the Cobos wines are complex, concentrated, polished and increasingly vibrant. Young Head Winemaker Andrés Vignoni is proving to be one of the most accomplished winemakers of the new generation. Cobos is their top-of-line brand, Bramare is an exciting single-vineyard range, and Felino is their worthy entry-level range.
The story of Viña Cobos winery really started with the arrival of international winemaker Paul Hobbs in Mendoza in the late 1980s. Born in upstate New York to a farming family, Paul Hobbs started his career in winemaking after studying viticulture and enology at UC Davis in California in the 1970s. He soon rose to fame as a promising young winemaker while working at two eminent wineries in Napa: Opus One and Simi Winery.
Bracco Bosca winery is the dynamic production and vineyard of fifth-generation grower Fabiana Bracco in the coastal Atlántida region. With their 11-hectare vineyard located just eight kilometres from the sea, the wines reflect this maritime terroir with a vibrant collection of white, red and rosé wines. Visits to the winery also combine the family’s long wine heritage with its modern approach, and you can book ahead to enjoy a home-style lunch, enjoy a sundowner by the fire pit, or stay overnight on one of the new cabins among the vines.
Bracco Bosca is a family winery and vineyard which started producing wine in 2005 but the vineyards in Atlantida have been in the family for five generations. The family originally came from the Piedmont in Italy and set up home in the Canelones region, in the coastal area of Atlantida, to continue their grape-growing tradition from home.
Today Bracco Bosca winery is being led by Fabiana Bracco and the family’s dynamic portfolio of wines breaks away from the norm but also respects the traditional varieties in the region. A key pillar of Bracco Bosca’s wine identity is in bringing back the underappreciated old vines of Moscatel Hamburgo and Ugni Blanc, which have been an important part of Uruguay’s wine history, by making modern, fresh wines with them.
Bracco Bosca winery has a limited production of 80,000 bottles and some wines, such as Gran Ombú, are exclusive releases of less than 900 bottles.
“The Ombú is a native tree from Uruguay and Argentina,” explains Fabiana Bracco. “Its original name Umbú comes from Pampa language that means shadow, and it is well known for providing shelter for people from the sun and the rain.
“When Darwin Bracco and Mirtha Bosca bought the land where our winery is today, there was an Ombú tree — standing alone and magnificent, just how they are.
“Family stories say that the previous owners had a farm general store on the property and since they were afraid to put their savings in the bank they would hide it under the Ombú in a pot full of gold.
“That’s why when someone would go shopping, the family would joke that they got the money from the Ombú.
“This tree is very susceptible to lightning, so a couple of years ago it was struck during a thunderstorm. Our family would always joke that it served as a lightning rod due to all the metal hidden under the tree.
“A couple of years later we have seen this tree coming back to life bringing us an important emotional and personal meaning.
“Today more than ever we are convinced that the real treasure is our land and wines, which we hope to share with you.”
Bracco Bosca winery has 11 hectares of vineyards on their estate in Atlántida, just 8 kilometres from the sea. The vineyard is all north-south facing and has a 2% slope which allows for it to get great sun exposure for ripening.
The soils are calcareous clay and well-draining which allows for the roots to grow deep, while the light loam texture allows for some water retention to keep the vines hydrated during the spring and summer months. The vineyards are managed with an integrated farming system and is within an ecologically protected region.
The Bracco Bosca vineyard has Tannat, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscatel Hamburgo, Ugni Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc planted, as well as Riesling coming soon.
There are four lines within the Bracco Bosca wine family:
The first line is ‘Sin Preconceptos’ meaning without preconceptions, and is a youthful line making wines that break some of the paradigms. It notably includes two fresh and vibrant white wines from Ugni Blanc and Moscatel de Hamburgo which are two of Uruguay’s most-planted varieties but are often overlooked, and these wines help show the potential for these varieties for approachable, appetising everyday wines.
The second line is the classic line which focuses on youthful, fruit-forward wines which are made without any oak intervention. Including a Tannat, Tannat-Syrah-Petit Verdot blend and a Sauvignon Blanc, these are easy to drink and fresh wines.
The Reserva line are three single-variety wines made from Tannat, Syrah and Petit Verdot which show varietal definition with added structure from some time in oak (50%).
The top line of the winery is Gran Ombú which includes a monovarietal Merlot and Cabernet Franc. These exclusive, limited edition wines come from select parcels in the vineyard and are aged in oak barrels, for added complexity and age well over time.
Marcelo Laitano has a long history in Uruguay as a consultant winemaker for select wineries around the country. Working together with Marcelo is Enrique Sartore who is in charge of the vineyards and has worked with them since a young age, knowing each plot and each plant better than anyone else.
You can visit Bracco Bosca winery for tasting and lunch, with previous reservation. The classic tasting includes a tour of the vineyards and winery with a tasting of four classic wines, or you can opt for the Premium Tasting which includes the entire wine range. Both tastings come with a plate of local, artisanal cheese and ham with homemade bread and local olive oil.
You can also book in advance for a homemade meal in Bracco Bosca winery which includes three courses with Uruguayan empanadas, and a typical asado or rump roast with homemade pickles and salads, followed by dessert.
Coming soon are their new cabins among the vineyards where you can stay overnight and enjoy drinking wine by the firepit and gazing at the stars.
You can book your visit online