Zuccardi
The Zuccardi winery in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, is a glowing symbol of how far this Argentine wine family has come since its foundation in 1963 by Alberto Zuccardi. Today it is focused on making precise, terroir-driven wines with a particular focus on Malbec but a diverse portfolio ranging from Bonarda to Semillon.
Check out our interview with Sebastian Zuccardi from the vineyards of Altamira
Full interview online here
About Zuccardi winery
Alberto Zuccardi planted the first vineyards in the east of Mendoza, and the family grew into one of the most important wine-producing companies in Argentina under father José Alberto Zuccardi who saw the creation of the popular Santa Julia brand among other labels in the portfolio.
The story now continues with grandson Sebastian Zuccardi who is one of the most forward-thinking winemakers in Argentina and this winery showcases all the developments of the Zuccardi brand which is now focused on premium-end wines from the Uco Valley.
More on Zuccardi’s Bodega Santa Julia in Eastern Mendoza
About the Zuccardi vineyards
PIEDRA INFINITA VINEYARD
Located in the heart of the alluvial plain of the Tunuyán River, this vineyard expresses the characteristic diversity of the chalky soils of Paraje Altamira.
The vineyard was planted in 2009 and has 42 hectares. The grape varieties planted include Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Bonarda and Tempranillo.
CANAL UCO VINEYARD
This vineyard is located on lands that have been cultivated for more than eighty years and irrigated with waters from the Uco Channel, in the northern part of Paraje Altamira.
The vineyard was planted in 2007 and has 57 hectares. The grape varieties planted include Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ancellotta and Caladoc.
LOS MEMBRILLOS VINEYARD
This vineyard has 37 hectares and is located at the east end of Paraje Altamira. The grape varieties grown here are Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Semillon.
LAS CUCHILLAS VINEYARD
Las Cuchillas is a true mountain vineyard as it is located on the alluvial fan of the Las Tunas River and just 600 meters from the first ridges of the Andes. The vineyard has 40 hectares and grows Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Bonarda, Chardonnay, Verdejo, Albariño, Semillon and Riesling.
LAS CERRILLADAS VINEYARD
The alluvial soils of the Las Tunas River include various calcareous materials, such as gravel and caliche, which are clearly expressed in the Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay grapevines.
AGUA DE LAS JARILLADAS VINEYARD
This vineyard is named for the stream that flows from the Jaboncillo hills toward the Peral hills. The rows of vines are laid out between water courses with native vegetation. It grows Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.
About Zuccardi wines
ZUCCARDI SERIE A AND SERIE Q
Both Serie A and Serie Q are considered regional wines and are an accessible introduction to Zuccardi’s wines. Within the Serie A line, there is a Malbec, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Torrontés and Chardonnay-Viognier and the Serie Q includes a Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
POLIGONOS
The Polígonos line looks to reflect the regions where the wines come from: Paraje Altamira, San Pablo, Gualtallary and Tupungato. The focus is on single varietals, including Malbec and Cabernet Franc, from different terroirs.
ZUCCARDI CONCRETO
Zuccardi Concreto is a Malbec wine which has solely been vinified in concrete without any oak influence. It was a landmark wine in Argentina when it had a big commercial release, and reflects the growing tendency of Zuccardi to focus on pure fruit expression in the wines.
JOSE ZUCCARDI – EMMA ZUCCARDI – TITO ZUCCARDI
These family wines are made in ode to different members of the family. Emma is a Bonarda wine, Jose is a Malbec-dominant blend and Tito is a blend with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Ancellotta.
ZUCCARDI FÓSIL
This is Zuccardi’s top level Chardonnay wine which shows a very fresh and focused style from San Pablo.
ZUCCARDI ALUVIONAL
This range of seductive red wines reflects each individual vineyard or soil type. They are very expressive and appealing wines, each with a different character depending on the vineyard. Well worth exploring to geek out on soil types!
ZUCCARDI FINCA PIEDRA INFINITA – FINCA CANAL UCO – FINCA LOS MEMBRILLOS
These Finca wines are very much focused on expressing the identity and personality of a specific vineyard or a parcel within a vineyard. These are the most iconic wines of Zuccardi and wines which will age well for a long time.
About the winemaker, Sebastián Zuccardi
Sebastián Zuccardi is one of Argentina’s leading winemakers of the new generation. He is the third generation of the family and leads the team of agricultural engineers and enologists at Zuccardi, while also overseeing Santa Julia.
On his initiative, the winery has had a research and development area since 2008, dedicated to studying the terroir and the diverse variables that affect wine quality. His goal is “not to strive for perfect wines, but wines that express the place, the region.”
Visiting Zuccardi
The beautiful winery of Zuccardi has been awarded as the Best Vineyard in the World by Top 50 Best Vineyards in the World. It is a striking winery to visit with impressive architecture and beautiful mountain views.
Zuccardi is open for tours and tastings six days a week at 09:30 am, 11:00 pm, 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm.
You can email the winery at [email protected] to book your visit
PIEDRA INFINITA RESTAURANT
One of the most popular restaurants in the Uco Valley, Piedra Infinita overlooks the vines and offers a four-course meal made with regional produce and delicate gourmet food paired with Zuccardi wines.
It is open from Tuesday through Sunday, from 12:30 – 3:00 pm, and some evenings in the summer. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
Tasting notes
