Winemaker Notes
At the foot of the Andes Mountains, in the vast desert province of Mendoza sits Familia Zuccardi, Argentina's largest family-owned winery and one of the leading exporters of Argentine wines. In the U.S., two lines of Familia Zuccardi wines are available: Santa Julia and Familia Zuccardi "Q".
Bodega Santa Julia was created in honor of Julia Zuccardi, part of the third generation of leaders from the Zuccardi Family. The Santa Julia winery represents the family’s commitment to producing the highest quality wines through sustainable practices that protect the environment and uplift the local community. For Julia, and the Zuccardi Family, sustainability is not just about working in harmony with the environment, rather it is a comprehensive approach that supports the land, the farmers, and the overall health of the local community in terms of educational, physical, and financial health. Julia, alongside her grandmother, Emma, continue to enrich their local community by providing childcare and schooling for their employees’ children, adult education programs, access to computer labs, and health and fitness centers to sustain physical and mental health. Sustainable practices include organic farming, compost production, bottling in lightweight glass, and solar power in the winery. With Santa Julia in your glass, you are assured to be drinking a high quality wine which respects the land, and supports the families who diligently tend to the vines.
Bodega Santa Julia is the first winery in Argentina to achieve a Fair for Life certification.
Notoriously food-friendly, long-lasting and Spain’s most widely planted grape, Tempranillo is the star variety of red wines from Rioja and Ribera del Duero. The Rioja terms Joven, Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva indicate both barrel and bottle time before release. Traditionally blended in Rioja with Garnacha, plus a bit of Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano, the Tempranillo in Ribera del Duero typically stands alone. Somm Secret—Tempranillo claims many different names depending on location. In Penedès, it is called Ull de Llebre and in Valdepeñas, goes by Cencibel. Known as Tinta Roriz in Portugal, Tempranillo plays an important role in Port wine.
With vineyards tretching along the eastern side of the Andes Mountains from Patagonia in the south to Salta in the north, Argentina is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic wine producing countries—and most important in South America.
Since the late 20th century vineyard investments, improved winery technology and a commitment to innovation have all contributed to the country’s burgeoning image as a producer of great wines at all price points. The climate here is diverse but generally continental and agreeable, with hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters—a positive, as snow melt from the Andes Mountains is used heavily to irrigate vineyards. Grapes very rarely have any difficulty achieving full ripeness.
Argentina’s famous Mendoza region, responsible for more than 70% of Argentina’s wine production, is further divided into several sub-regions, with Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley most noteworthy. Red wines dominate here, especially Malbec, the country’s star variety, while Chardonnay is the most successful white.
The province of San Juan is best known for blends of Bonarda and Syrah. Torrontés is a specialty of the La Rioja and Salta regions, the latter of which is also responsible for excellent Malbecs grown at very high elevation.