Get to grips with the wine regions of San Rafael and General Alvear in our ultimate guide to these lesser-known wine regions in southern Mendoza.

Guide to San Rafael and General Alvear

Notable producers

Quick guide to San Rafael and General Alvear

Best wines to try

Map of San Rafael and General Alvear

 

Guide to San Rafael & General Alvear wine regions

SAN RAFAEL

Hectares planted: 13,016

Producers: 2,384 vineyards

Altitude: 450 to 950 m.a.s.l

 

As you travel the 230 kilometres from the capital of Mendoza to the small city of San Rafael, you’ll pass by the beautiful Atuel Canyon. The Canyon is, in fact, one of the main draws to the region with its river rapids, sand dunes and mountains offering plenty of opportunities for adrenaline junkies and nature lovers to explore. As well as providing a buffet of water sports, the Atuel and Diamante rivers are essential irrigation lifelines in this arid wine region, which is situated in a rain shadow cast by the Andes mountains.

Despite being located further south than the Uco Valley, its lower altitude means San Rafael tends to be typically warmer. This fact, along with the predominantly sandy soils, means it is best for everyday easy-drinking wines.

Main grape varieties in San Rafael

Red varieties dominate San Rafael’s vineyards, along with some pink Criolla varieties. While Malbec is king, I’m actually most excited by Cabernet Sauvignon (the third most-planted variety), which is typically made into a supple wine with juicy red fruit and pink peppercorn spice. There are over 500 hectares of Chenin Blanc planted here also, but this is mainly for sparkling wine.

Wine & tourism in San Rafael

San Rafael is one of only two DOCs in Argentina (the other being Luján de Cuyo DOC) and although producers have tried to put Mendoza’s southernmost region on the map, it is often overlooked.

The one big exception is Bianchi — the biggest winery in the region and the poster child for San Rafael. The family-owned winery was founded by an Italian immigrant in 1928 and is today one of Mendoza’s most prolific wine producers in both the local and export markets, carrying San Rafael’s flag with it everywhere the wines travel. It also draws in the majority of San Rafael’s wine tourists, welcoming an impressive 85,000 people a year, and keeps hundreds of growers in the region financially afloat by purchasing their grapes.

 

GENERAL ALVEAR

Hectares planted: 3,785

Producers: 1,074 vineyards

Altitude: 400 to 500 m.a.s.l

 

Further south and east, General Alvear is flatter, warmer and less distinguished than San Rafael, mostly producing cheap jug wine. The vineyards are dominated by three Criolla grape varieties — Cereza, Criolla Grande and Moscatel Rosado, in descending order. In recent years, there’s been a movement towards trying to make better-quality table wines and today Bonarda and Syrah are the most-planted red varieties, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.

 

 

Notable producers in San Rafael

BODEGAS BIANCHI

The grand dame of San Rafael, Bianchi is known for both sparkling and still wines, Casa Bianchi was established in San Rafael in 1928 by Italian immigrant Valentín Bianchi and is now run by the fourth generation of the Bianchi family.

FINCA LAS PAYAS

Natural winemaker Santiago Salgado makes off-beat wines from uncommon varieties like Nero d’Avola and Corvina, as well as a handful of orange Criolla wines.

LEO BORSI

After years working in Burgundy and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Leo Borsi came back on a mission to reboot San Rafael’s image through his boutique label. His wines reveal a racier side of San Rafael, notably from the cooler region of 25 de Mayo at 900 m.a.s.l.

ALFREDO ROCA

This family winery is now run by Alfredo’s three children who are making some interesting old-vine wines under their Parcelas Originales label — including Sangiovese and Glera.

 

 

Winemaker’s perspective on San Rafael: Silvio Alberto

You get this incredible mid-palate in the red wines of San Rafael, and in particular its Malbec. Almost immediately after alcoholic fermentation, you have this big wine with sweet tannins — it’s remarkable really. There are also very nice red fruit aromas in Malbec from San Rafael, and a sweet spice. It’s delicious.”

 

 

Terroir Selection: Best wines to try from San Rafael

San Rafael is all about its approachable nature. Old vines and certain winemaking choices can make wines of greater weight and concentration, but San Rafael’s wines always have supple tannins and a sunny disposition! You also find great value here.

BIANCHI, Enzo Bianchi

Finca Asti. $$$. Drinking window <15 years

From old vines from their Finca Asti vineyard, this top blend from Bianchi has a complex mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot and has been aged in new oak, making this a big, blockbuster wine which improves with some time in bottle. Layers of red fruit, spice, perfume and cedar — a San Rafael icon.

BODEGA LEO BORSI, Revolución Garage, Horizonte Sur

25 de Mayo. $$. Drinking window <10 years

This lively Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon has just a dash of Chenin Blanc, which accentuates its dark fruit and peppery spice. Fresh, juicy and an exciting new angle on San Rafael’s wines.

BIANCHI, Particular Cabernet Sauvignon

San Rafael. $$. Drinking window <10 years

This is one of the most distinctive Cabernets in the region and it exudes red fruit, pink peppercorn and graphite aromas, with the dusty tannins and supple, approachable nature that are so typical of San Rafael. Smooth and inviting.

ALFREDO ROCA, Parcelas Originales Glera

San Rafael. $$. Drinking window <10 years

Made from some of the less common old vines in the region, this still wine made from Glera (the Prosecco grape) has bundles of character. Unoaked and vibrant, with Asian pears, lemon zest and blossom on the nose and a medium finish.

FINCA LAS PAYAS, Moscato di Cardinale

San Rafael. $$. Drinking window <5 years

It’s not just the frisky label of this wine that is tongue-in-cheek, but the wine is pretty tongue-gripping too. San Rafael’s natural wine champion Sago Salgado makes this orange wine from old vines of Moscatel Rosado — grippy, fresh and food worthy.

 

 

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