2018 Zuccardi Aluvional Gualtallary Malbec

Zuccardi Wines: Multigenerational Winemakers

In 1963, the Zuccardi family planted their first vines in Maipú, Mendoza, a place now recognized as the birthplace of Argentinian wine. At roughly 2,600 feet above sea level, Maipú is considered a high-elevation wine region. Although Maipú sits at a reasonably high elevation, as the wine community in Argentina continued to mature, some winemakers wondered whether they could plant even higher.

One of those intrepid visionaries is Sebastián Zuccardi, the winery’s current proprietor and a third-generation winemaker. In fact, credit can be given entirely to Sebastián for turning the brand’s focus to site-specific wines that evoke a sense of place rather than continuing to make the juicy, fruit-forward wines that Argentina is known for.

As word spread about the possibilities of planting further up the Andes Mountains, Sebastian grew increasingly intrigued. The mountain soil here is filled with marine fossils, calcium deposits, and dozens upon dozens of soil types. And, so began Zuccardi’s experiment with “mountain wines”, as he likes to describe them.

As the harvesting of these grapes began, and their saline-laced (thanks to the soil) characteristics became clear, Sebastián realized that this fruit could not be confined to the large oak barrels that so many winemakers use to age their wine. Placing these grapes in oak would entirely erase what made them so special. With this in mind, he switched the concrete tanks for fermentation and aging. 

The resulting “Place Wines” are superb, and we’re thankful this young winemaker took a chance on this up-and-coming region.

High-Elevation Wines in Mendoza’s Uco Valley

One of our favorite Argentinian winemakers, Nicolas Catena of Zapata Winery, is famous for his belief that the cool climate and high elevation of Mendoza’s Uco Valley is the perfect site for vineyard development. At a time when others proclaimed this region inhospitable to vines, he, and others like him, pushed forward. One of the families that believed, like Catena, that the Uco Valley was destined to become one of the world’s most respected wine regions was the Zuccardi family.

Compared to Maipú, where the Zuccardi family got its start in the 60s, the Uco Valley is a relatively newer vineyard site, having only been recognized in the last twenty or so years. Growing grapes at this ultra-high elevation is not for the faint of heart. Grape growers here are pushing the limits of what the humble grape can achieve in mountain vineyards, with some sites sitting just above 5,000 feet above sea level. Vines must contend with frost, wind, low rainfall, and an unforgiving landscape comparable to the high deserts of Cochise County, Arizona, another burgeoning wine region.

One benefit to being this high up the mountain, the Andes Mountains, to be exact, is that the grapes receive endless hours of direct sunlight. When you couple cloudless skies with cool temperatures, you have a recipe for success. Unlike their counterparts planted further down the mountain, or even those in the flat of the valley, these Malbec grapes develop less juicy fruit flavors and more acidic, measured characteristics. 

Gualtallary: A Pristine Corner of Uco

Gualtallary, which is where this bottle hails from, lies in the Tupungato portion of Uco. This dry, sunny region is known for its alluvial, chalk-filled soils (hence the name the Zuccardi’s gave this brand imprint). As you will see in our tasting notes, Gualtallary wines are known for their intriguing minerality, their beguiling freshness, and their structured elegance. In addition to Malbec, Cabernet Franc responds incredibly well to the growing conditions here.