Weinert Bodega Y Cavas

Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina

Bodega & Cavas de Weinert was founded by Don Bernardo Weinert, a Brazilian of German origins, in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. Fascinated with the wine world, Don Bernardo Weinert decided to build his own winery in Argentina with an unconditional approach: to produce high quality wines. Before getting involved in such task, he carried out an extensive study of Mendoza´s weather, soil and vines; and he found in Luján de Cuyo the perfect place for his business. After a difficult process of restoration of the building acquired in 1974, he brought the latest technology for the wine production and he joined with Rául de la Mota, who was known worldwide for being the father of modern winemaking in Argentina, and who was also named the best oenologist of the 20th century in Argentina. In 1996, Hubert Weber, a Swiss oenologist became part of the winery. With only 27 years old he became Bodega & Cavas de Weinert main oenologist till the present.

Finca La Escarcha

La Arboleda, Mendoza, Argentina

Santiago Reta is the man behind the Rhône-infused, garagiste label Finca La Escarcha. His 64-acre vineyard is dedicated to the voluminous, aromatic whites and the dark, earthy reds of southern France. Santiago is a purposeful farmer and vintner; soil composition and variation determined the layout of his vineyard as well as specific farming approaches.

The winery, designed by architect and wife, Carolina, handles Santiago’s 1,000 case production and appeals perfectly to his sensibilities as a winemaker; concrete eggs, a small barrel room and a couple of stainless steel tanks are the essential elements in the minimalist, but well considered space. His wines demonstrate a skilled rhythm of acid, elegance, fruit and persistence.

Entrelíneas, or between the lines, is a fitting name for Santiago’s flagship varietal wines. A play on a literary reference that values the inexplicit over the obvious, these small release wines are made from vines planted in the chalky striations identified from the vineyard’s original soil mapping.

Encubierto, the newest addition to the La Escarcha lineup, was inspired by the mischievous old fox that wanders the vineyards. Offered simply as Blend de Blancas and Blend de Tintas, these young concrete and oak-aged wines offer great value and quality from this small estate.

Piedras Magicas & Licanten ‘Idahue Estate’

by La Ronciere

D.O. Licanten | Coastal Curicó, Chile

Located 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, La Ronciere’s ambitious 500 acre Idahue Estate is their vision for the future. Prevailing coastal breezes, abundant sunshine, and rolling hills of ancient soils culminate in a privileged climatic and geological landscape. Years of research and a forward-looking approach drove the successful effort that saw Licanten granted D.O. status in 2018. The region’s potential is just being unlocked, and already the wines speak for themselves in a recognizable way, managing concentration and nuance in an expressly vibrant manner.

Cantoalba

by La Ronciere

Valle de Colchagua | Central Valley, Chile

Meaning “dawn song” in Spanish, Cantoalba’s namesake has a deep connection to the La Ronciere estate; since their founding in 1949, a rooster has ushered in each morning, signaling another opportunity to produce high-quality wines. Cantoalba is a special selection by the winemaker to highlight the personality La Ronciere’s wines bring to the world.

Moussai

by La Ronciere

D.O. Licanten | Coastal Curicó, Chile

Moussai reflects La Ronciere’s approach to varietal bottlings in a Grand Reserve line. Fruit is carefully selected from plots in the foothills of the Andes; the combination of alluvial, volcanic, and granite soils and oscillating temperatures help produce a very fruity wine with greater acidity and minerality.

OMNE

Valle de Limarí | Coquimbo Region, Chile

OMNE comes from nearly three decades of visionary work by Viña Tabalí and founder Guillermo Luksic. When 180 hectares of vineyards were planted in this relatively unknown region, it was guided by the notion that the chalky soils and cool, coastal conditions were untapped in their potential to deliver exceptional Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and classically balanced Rhône varieties.

Tabali’s winery and vineyards border expansive national land reserves in one of Chile’s northern-most wine regions, Valle de Limarí. Largely unexplored in a viticulture sense before 2002, Tabali has become the Limarí Valley’s most definitive producer, responsible for sparking the excitement that surrounds the region today. 

In 2013, the Luksic family expanded their viticultural footprint with the acquisition of a vineyard in the traditional, and well-established, Maipo Valley. Emphasis was placed on growing high-end, terroir-focused Cabernet Sauvignon; wines that “reveal their origin and transport the person tasting them to the soil and climate of Tabalí’s vineyards”. Beyond the wine, this message is expressed in the winery itself. The stunning, open-air architecture conforms to the environment and echos a way of life that pays homage to the Molle people who once called this valley home. 

Felipe Müller, one of the region’s most experienced winemakers, has led production at Tabalí since 2006. With a focus on interpreting Limarí’s unique terroir, and working closely with their viticulturalist Hector Rojas, Müller’s winemaking style promotes fresh acidity, fruit expression and regional vibrancy. He believes that a respectful approach to winemaking communicates a sense of place in the bottle. Müller is a “fanatic of terroir”, his efforts are spent understanding, identifying and separating specific parts of the vineyards that impart something interesting when vinified separately. It’s an approach that continually fine-tunes the vineyard work with each successive vintage.