Background
Bodega Zuccardi was founded in 1963 when Italian settler, Alberto Zuccardi, whose background was in engineering and irrigation, planted the first vines in the Mendoza region of Argentina. Fast forward almost 60 years and the family company is now run by the 3rd generation of the Zuccardi family and thriving in the Uco Valley, a cooler sub-region of Mendoza renowned for producing top quality wines. Sebastián Zuccardi who took over from his father, José, in 2009 after spending several vintages working in vineyards overseas, sharing the family’s visionary and innovative spirit. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Alberto, and his father, José, Sebastián’s aim is to create terroir-driven wines that express the environment where they have been produced. Throughout the Zuccardi ranges there is a common thread of purity, concentration and a demonstration of sense of place.
The Vineyards
The Uco Valley is situated in the foothills of the Andes Mountain range and the vineyards are cultivated at altitudes of more than 900 metres above sea level on rich, alluvial soils. Water is a scarce resource in these almost desert like conditions with very little rainfall. Fortunately, there is natural irrigation from the Andes Mountains. The vines experience a long growing season with a vast diurnal swing of almost 20ºc between day and night. These climatic and geographical elements come together to provide excellent fruit ripening and concentration of aromas, flavours and textures. The combination of multiple microclimates, altitudes and soil types has resulted in the creation of many unique terroirs within the individual vineyards. Sebastián is embracing the challenge of identifying the unique characteristics of each vineyard and allowing them to express their identity in the wines they produce.
The Winery
Zuccardi’s state-of-the-art stone winery was built from the land it inhibits using only natural and local materials inside and out, sourced from the estate and the nearby Tunuyan River. It stands rather majestically amid the dessert of the Uco Valley mimicking the terrain, reminiscent of the Hotel Perla De Las Dunas in James Bond -Quantum of Solace! The construction was completed in 2016 after a 3-year build. The creative and sustainable design integrates art and science; achieving the rare combination of being perfectly sustainable and aesthetic, blending in with the landscape.
Sustainability Credentials
Zuccardi have been at the forefront of sustainability winemaking practices in Argentina and reducing the impact of vine growing and wine making on the environment has been paramount to them. This is the reason they have created epoxy-free egg-shaped concrete fermentation vessels that allow them to vinify the wines with the least possible intervention. The concrete fulfils the function of a thermal insulator and the movements of the wines are caused by gravity. The winery is mostly powered by solar energy and has been designed to work most of the day with natural light, which allows them to minimise electricity consumption. They focus on sustainable agriculture and are constantly searching for ways to reduce their environmental impact by maintaining biodiversity in the vineyards and respecting the soil, air, flora and forna.
Accolades
In October 2021 Zuccardi Valle de Uco once again won ‘The World’s Best Vineyard’ for a third consecutive year (Marques de Riscal came 2nd and Chateau Margaux 3rd). The World’s Best Vineyards list aims to highlight the sheer diversity across both established and emerging wine tourism destinations and the list is voted by the Academy of 600 global wine and travel experts. The juries made a selection among more than 1,500 wineries, of which the best 50 were considered.
In addition, Sebastián has been named as one of the most exciting wine makers in South America by Tim Atkin MW in Decanter Magazine.
The Wines
Delicate aromas of lemon, peach and orange with added floral rose and lychee overtones. Crisp and clean on the palate underpinned with bright, vibrant acidity that flows into a core of further citrus and white stone fruit. Great on its own or with spiced Asian food, seafood or salad.
Valles Bonarda, 2019, Uco Valley
Enticing bouquet of fresh black cherry, crème de cassis and blackberry fused with hints of cedar spice. The mid-palate is extremely juicy and luscious with ripe, velvety tannins that flows into a core of further black fruit and black pepper spice. If you love Malbec, then you'll adore this!
Valles Malbec, 2019, Uco Valley
Charming aromas of raspberry, red plum and blackcurrant with undertones of vanilla spice. Medium-bodied with a juicy, luscious texture and ripe, round tannins that wrap around a core of further red and black fruit with added sweet spice.
For more information on Zuccardi wines or to place an order, please contact wine@bcfw.co.uk or call us on 01325 776446, where we will be more than happy to help.
