2021 ORGANIC MALBEC, Pacheco Pereda. Mendoza, Argentina

As described by UK agent, Liberty Wines: “Pacheco Pereda was established in Mendoza in 2010 by Alejandro Bulgheroni with the aim of extending sustainable viticulture in Argentina. This vision has resulted in one of Argentina’s largest organic-certified vineyard holdings. The name ‘Pacheco Pereda’ harks back to 20th century migrant families arriving in Argentina to establish farms on the sort of land that existed prior to industrial agriculture.

The vineyards are in the Luján de Cuyo region, split between 231 hectares in Finca Alto Agrelo, located between 980 and 1200 metres above sea level, and 99 hectares in Finca Pedemonte at 740 metres. Back in 2010, the team at Pacheco Pereda carried out a vast soil-mapping exercise across the vineyards, using electric conductivity technology, to understand the different soil textures and assessed the soil drainage capacity by digging five hundred soil pits. The findings resulted in the vineyards being split into 74 individual parcels, to which varietals were matched and different planting densities implemented accordingly. Organic certification followed, together with the introduction of natural corridors through the vineyards to improve biodiversity. The winery is also part of the initiative ‘4 per 1000’, launched at the COP21 climate change conference, which commits to actions promoting and implementing healthy soils that can trap carbon and reduce its impact on climate change.

Winemaker Hernan Rinaldini and consultant Alberto Antonini have employed a similarly thorough approach in the winery. The range consists of three different tiers which are all certified organic: Familia de Vinos, Estirpe and Linaje. The Familia de Vinos Pinot Grigio and Malbec are sourced from parcels with the highest clay content, which therefore have a good capacity for water retention. These parcels are planted at a higher density which means they give the same yield per vine as other parts of the estate but a higher yield per hectare.  The Malbec is sourced from the lower parcels, located at 1,100 metres, of the Finca Alto Agrelo vineyard. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel with 50% of the blend aged in used French oak for two months. The fresh and scented wine boasts a generous red and black fruit character with smooth tannins.”