A look at the viticulture

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A look at the viticulture of Argentina
With a total of 511,512 acres of vineyards, the
winegrowing region of Argentina is located on the
Western edge of the country, at the foot of the
Andes mountain range. It extends 1,500 miles in
length, from 42º S to 22º S. The altitudes in
this region range from 1,500 feet to nearly
10,000 feet above sea level. Located in arid
regions, annual precipitation varies from 6 to
16, which makes irrigation an integral facet of
viticulture.
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Salta The New Pearl of Argentina
Salta is located in the Northeastern region of
Argentina, at 26º S. It is one of the oldest
regions for producing wines and dates back to the
age of the Spanish conquistadors. Salta has the
highest altitude vineyards in the world, the
highest with an elevation nearly 10,000 feet
above sea level. With each harvest Salta gains
more attention as the newly rediscovered pearl
of Argentina.
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Valle Calchaqui The Heart of Salta
The Calchaqui Valley is the principal wine
producing region of Salta and surrounds the city
of Cafayate. The region has sunny days which
allows excellent maturation and
concentration. The high altitude vineyards
benefit from the cool Andean nights to achieve
balance and elegance. The high thermal amplitude
and powerful sunlight produce intense flavors and
aromas.
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San Isidro The Soul of Cafayate
San Isidro is a high valley ensconced at the foot
of Mount San Isidro, near Cafayete. The very
poor and stressed soils are ideal for viticulture
of high quality. An elevation of 5,600 feet
leads to temperatures drastically lower than
those on the valley floor, allowing slow and even
maturation. Mount San Isidro blocks the hot
afternoon sun and keeps the fruit from being
burned.
San Isidro Valley photo by Carlos Calise
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Altos de San Isidro An Unique Region
Altos de San Isidro is 60 acres of vineyards
planted in 1970 by Héctor Chacho Herrero, the
son of don Melchor Herrero and Francisca Cerezo,
two Spanish immigrants. The vineyard was
originally planted with Torrontes and
Barbera. In the early 1990s, Chachos son,
Héctor, took charge of the vineyards he planted
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon using a VSP trellis
system, and incorporated state-of-the art drip
irrigation.
Héctor Herrero Photo by Carlos Calise
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Bodega Herrero Cerezo The esscence of San
Isidro
Architect - Maria Inés Laconi
In 2006, Héctor and his wife Rosana founded the
family winery Herrero Cerezo, taking the name
from the grandparents who immigrated to Argentina
from the Ribera del Duero in 1912. Héctor
carries out extensive and numerous experiments
using micro-vinification to exploit the potential
of his family vineyard. In 2009, Héctor and José
Luis Mounier produced and bottled their own
Malbec, Barbera and Torrontes from the highly
valued Altos de San Isidro property.
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José Luis Mounier A true friend and helper
José Luis Mounier is a long time neighbor to the
Herrero family. His Finca las Nubes, The Clouds
Farm, is located nearby to Altos de San
Isidro. Although originally from Mendoza, José
Luis has produced wine in Salta for more than 25
years. He is currently considered by many as the
top winemaker in Salta and has brought his
knowledge and experience to Altos de San Isidro
to help achieve the best wines possible from this
special vineyard.
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Alejandro Sejanovich The viticultural piece
Alejandro Sejanovich was the Vitcultural Director
at Bodega Catena Zapata for 16 years. He was a
pioneer in high altitude vineyard planting in
Mendoza and directed advanced research of the
Malbec clones. Alejandro has managed vineyards
all over Argentina, from Salta in the North to
Patagonia in the South. As one of the principal
players in viticulture in Argentina, Alejandro
focuses on the vineyard of Altos de San Isidro in
the unique region of Salta
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Jeff Mausbach Preaching the Gospel
Jeff Mausbach spent the last 13 years as the Wine
Education Director at Catena Zapata. He has
traveled the world talking about the unique
character of Argentinean wines. Jeff has vast
experience in the World market, from the United
States to England, Canada and Japan. As a sales
and marketing expert on Argentina, Jeff carries
the message of the singular character of the
Altos de San Isidro region to international wine
markets.
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The wines of Altos de San Isidro
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Altos de San Isidro Reserve Malbec
From a 10 acre lot planted in 1992, yielding 7
tons per hectare, 3 tons per acre. Refrigerated
for 4 days and later fermented at 26º C to obtain
an intense aroma. Aged in French oak for 12
months, 50 new.
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Altos de San Isidro Reserve Barbera
From a 20 acre lot planted in 1970, yielding 5
tons per acre. Refrigerated for 2 days and
fermented at 28º C to obtain a soft and silky
texture. Aged in French oak for 10 months, 30
new.
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Altos de San Isidro Torrontés
From a 25 acre lot planted in 1970, yielding 10
tons per acre. Cold maceration for 8 hours then
cold fermented at 22º C to obtain intense aromas
and a clean and fresh mouth feel. No malolactic
fermentation. No oak.
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