Bodega Argento winery in Mendoza has been consistently building its reputation over the past 20 years for fresh wines focused on expressing the different wine regions of Mendoza, from Maipú through to Lujan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. In 2012 Bodega Argento began to write a new chapter in their history, with the premise of leading in organic and sustainable viticulture. With a modern, polished wine style, the emphasis in Argento’s wine portfolio is on varietal and regional typicity, and expressing Mendoza’s unique combination of a dry climate, alluvials soils, mountain water, high-altitude and bright sunlight.

Owning over 485 hectares of vineyards, Argento winery is currently in the process of converting them all to organic viticulture. Bodega Argento wines are widely exported around the world, to over 50 countries.

 

About Bodega Argento winery

The mission of Bodega Argento is to be a leader in sustainable viticulture in Argentina, taking care of natural and human resources while focusing on organic production to best express and preserve the character of each region and grape variety.

The Argento winery itself was built in 1970 and designed by ‘Chicho’ Pitela. The Mediterranean style structure had wide galleries and arcades offering views of the surrounding vineyards, olive groves and Andes mountains in the distance. Located in Cruz de Piedra, it is in the historic heart of wine production in the traditional Maipú wine region.

The modern company was founded in 1998 and Bodega Argento has been focused on developing a sustainable production of top international standards since. Bodega Argento has achieved several quality certifications granted by different organisations (HCCP, ISO 22000) and is one of the few Argentinian wineries with the ‘canal verde’ (green channel) tag granted by the Argentinian Viticulture and Viniculture National Institute (INV).

The winemaking focus is on youthful wines with full-fruit expression, and the team is led by winemaker Juan Pablo Murgia with Alberto Antonini as consultant winemaker.

 

About the vineyards

Bodega Argento’s vineyards are located in the traditional region of Mendoza, the ‘primera zona‘, and the Uco Valley. Argento’s wine philosophy is that each vineyard is unique and has a different story to tell, with the individual microclimate and soil giving a distinctive identity to the different wines.

Alto Agrelo vineyard: Bodega Argento

Bodega Argento’s Alto Agrelo vineyard is located in the highest part of the Agrelo region in Luján de Cuyo and is characterized by the great heterogeneity of its soils, by the slope and by the presence of native flora and biodiversity, due to its organic and sustainable management.

Argento winery has 231.8 organic hectares planted in Agrelo with predominantly Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Semillon. Ranging from 980 to 1,079 metres in altitude, this is the largest vineyard Argento owns and makes up an important component of all their lines of wines. Rocky, clay and sand soils.

Finca Ugarteche: Bodega Argento

This 22.05-hectare organic vineyard is planted entirely with Cabernet Franc and its cooler northeast and southeast orientated rows give unique characteristics to the grapes. Planting the vineyard in 2015, Bodega Argento is focused on championing this emerging star in the Argentine wine world and as the vines come of age we will start to see the results from this rocky, clay, silt vineyard which sits at 980 metres altitude.

Finca Altamira: Bodega Argento

Bodega Argento’s Finca Altamira vineyard is located in the heart of Uco Valley and is planted with different selections of Malbec in different rootstocks, due to the heterogeneity of the soil within the estate.

Argento winery has 22.5 hectares of Malbec planted in Altamira, which is the highest altitude of all their vineyards – reaching 1,090 metres altitude in this sought-after zone of the Uco Valley. Well-draining rocky soils and cooler temperatures help produce Malbec wines of concentration and elegance.

Carrizal Vineyard: Bodega Argento

The second-most important vineyard in terms of size for Argento winery, the Carrizal vineyard in Luján de Cuyo is actually spread over 630 hectares, with 99 hectares currently planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Pinot Grigio and Malbec. It sits at 760 metres in altitude and has mainly sandy, clay soils which work particularly well for Bonarda.

Cruz de Piedra vineyard: Bodega Argento

This vineyard is located in the most traditional region of Mendoza, the Primera Zona, which is where Bodega Argento winery is located. The Cruz de Piedra estate is over 100 hectares in size although there are just 12 hectares planted with organic Malbec including some older vines. Silty clay soils and located at 980 metres in altitude.

 

 

About the winemaker: Juan Pablo Murgia

Born and raised in Mendoza, Argento’s winemaker Juan Pablo Murgia comes from a long line of wine producers.

His grandfather was a viticulturist and winery owner, and his father is a viticulturist and introduced Juan Pablo to the vineyards during his childhood.

This time spent together with his father in the vineyards and winery is what inspired him to work in the industry.

Following a degree in Winemaking and Agriculture, Juan Pablo is finishing a Master of Science in Viticulture and Enology. He also has international experience taking part in different harvest seasons in California (Napa Valley and Amador County), Bordeaux and Uruguay, and is now Head Winemaker of Grupo Avinea (which includes Argento and Otronia among other brands). 

 

About the wines: Bodega Argento wines

Argento Clásico

Argento is the first and flagship range of wines for the winery, which sets out to show the purest varietal expression of each single-variety wine. The foremost focus is on fruit-purity and vibrancy, making these an easy-drinking style of good value wines. Varieties include Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay.

Argento Reserva

This line of wines focuses on making single-variety wines of greater concentration and fuller-bodied, coming from some of their oldest vines in Mendoza. Expect greater intensity and some oak ageing, making these more food-worthy wines. Varieties in the Reserva line include Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Argento Selección

This limited production line up comes from specially selected vineyards in Mendoza, which were picked for their ability to best express the variety in question with bright fruit and a refined style. The Selección includes Malbec, Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Argento Single Block

This wine is focused on expressing the Paraje Altamira terroir of Bodega Argento’s organic vineyard in the Uco Valley. A careful selection of micro terroirs within the vineyard leads stagnated harvests with each block vinified separately and according to its soil profile. Minimal intervention is made in the vineyard and in the winery in order to achieve the purest expression of the site. This Malbec wine is delicate and vibrant, reflecting the elegant essence of this sought-after Uco Valley appellation.

Argento Single Vineyard

The top wine from their organic Altamira vineyard, looking to express the very best of the terroir and the top wine of the winery. It is a more complex wine but still retains the freshness and vibrancy of Altamira terroir and the minimum intervention policy in their organic vineyards.

Artesano de Argento

Artesano (Artisan in English) is a homage to the traditional silver and leather handcrafting of Argentina. Argentine traditions in the handcrafting could be traced to the conquerors and nowadays it has become a very well-known profession with worldwide recognized and prestigious artists. The wines of Artesano comes from their organic vineyards at the foothills of the Andes, respecting the artisanal traditions, soil and care of organic winemaking.

Argento Rosé

A modern approach to Syrah rosé using a gentle direct pressing to achieve a delicate salmon colour and bright red cherry aromas. Lively and crisp.

 

Tasting Argento Cabernet Franc on video with Juan Pablo Murgia