Registered wineries on The Squeeze Magazine
Finca Las Moras winery, founded in 1993, is one of the most prolific producers in San Juan with a wide range of wines. Owned by Peñaflor (Trapiche), the name of this winery comes from the fact that the vineyards are surrounded by mulberry trees, or ‘moras’.
With over 1,100 hectares of vineyards planted in various valleys in San Juan, their star wine is the Las Moras Gran Syrah made with their premium Syrah grapes from Pedernal Valley (1,350 metres), Zonda Valley (950 metres) and Tulum Valley (650 metres).
About Finca Las Moras winery
Established in 1993 under the guidance of renowned viticulturalist Richard Smart, Fincas Las Moras has significant vineyard plantings in San Juan and is one of the best-known brands and wineries in the region.
With a capacity for producing 9.5 million litres of wine, the facilities of Finca Las Moras winery are modern and temperature controlled to be able to produce quality white and red wine in the heart of the Tulum Valley.
About the winemaker, Eduardo Casademont
The winemaker is Eduardo Casademont who works closely with the rest of the Peñaflor team including the group’s winemaking director Daniel Pi.
Eduardo has been making the wines of Finca Las Moras since 2006 and studied winemaking in Mendoza at Don Bosco.
About the Finca Las Moras vineyards
With over 1,100 hectares of vines, Finca Las Moras vineyards are spread around several wine regions of San Juan. The principal wine regions are:
Pedernal Valley
At an average of 1,350 metres in altitude, this is one of the highest-altitude wine regions in San Juan and the combination of cooler temperatures, wide diurnal range and chalky soils produce red and white wines of freshness, concentration and structure.
Zonda Valley
Named after the famous Zonda wind that blows through the region, this wine region of San Juan is tucked into the foothills of the Andes mountains and is at an average of 950 metres in altitude. The region is suitable for a wide range of grape varieties and produces wines with a full body, good fruit concentration and structure.
Tulum Valley
The largest wine region in San Juan, the Tulum Valley has an average altitude of 650 metres and is one of the warmest wine regions of San Juan. Here the wines reach phenolic ripeness quickly and the wines are known for their approachability and ripe fruit expression.
About Finca Las Moras wines
With a wide range of wines, there are varieties and styles of wines to suits most budgets and tastes within the range. Some highlights include:
SAGRADO PEDERNAL
At the very top end of Finca Las Moras wine portfolio is Sagrado Pedernal: a complex Malbec from the prized Pedernal Valley which offers richness, structure and juicy fruit expression.
MORA NEGRA
Mora Negra is a typically Argentine blend of Bonarda and Malbec, both of which are very important varieties from San Juan, and is a rich blend from the Tulum and Pedernal Valleys.
GRAN SYRAH
Gran Syrah is one of the top Syrah wines from San Juan and in Argentina, and is a complex blend taking the top lots of Syrah grapes from all three of their main wine regions.
PAZ
The Paz collection, meaning peace, is a series of wines including a pure Malbec, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, a Syrah, a Bonarda, and a Sauvignon Blanc which is focused on the best varietal expression of these emblematic varieties from emblematic wine regions in San Juan.
DEMENCIAL
Demencial is a duo of wines from Pedernal Valley, including a fresh Pinot Noir and an interesting Blanc de Blancs blend of Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
LOS INTOCABLES
Meaning ‘the untouchables’, Los Intocables is an innovative range of wines from Finca Las Moras which have been aged in oak bourbon casks to impart a layer of toasty, vanilla and caramel aromas, which are typically found in bourbon. The range includes Black Malbec and Black Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes for which are picked from very low yielding vines for their intense and deep colour; a red blend of Syrah, Merlot and Bonarda; and a Chardonnay, which although the name is White Chardonnay it takes on an amber hue following the ageing process in Missouri bourbon barrels.
FINCA LAS MORAS BARREL SELECT
This is a premium range of wines specially selected from top parcels of vineyards and aged in French and American oak for a minimum of 8 months. The series includes a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend; a Syrah; and a Malbec. There is also a tropical-scented Chardonnay, which spends 6 months on the lees.
FINCA LAS MORAS LOVE
Within the other ranges for everyday drinking comes the Love line, which is focused on approachable varietal expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Chardonnay.
ALMA MORA
Alma Mora is an easy-drinking line with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot, a Syrah rosé, and a sparkling Extra Brut wine made from Chardonnay, Semillon and Malbec.
DADÁ
Dadá is a youthful range which plays with the aromas of different oak toastings to create a portfolio of wines: Dadá 1 which is a combination of vanilla and red fruits, Dadá 2 which offers aromas of mokka coffee and black fruit, and Dadá 3 which is all about spices. There is also a range of other limited bottlings, including a sweet Malbec and a sweet Muscat.
FINCA LAS MORAS
There is also the Finca Las Moras classic range which is the entry-level range and offers great value for everyday wines with good varietal typicity.
SPECIALITIES
There is also a range of Specialities, which are special releases and lines of wines from all the ranges and show the innovative spirit of the winemaking team.
Visiting Finca Las Moras winery
Finca Las Moras winery is not open for public visits.
