Zuccardi
The Zuccardi family has lived in Argentina since the late 19th century, after their ancestors emigrated from Italy. In the 1950s, the family established a company specialising in irrigation systems. Without water from the nearby Andes, nothing would grow in Mendoza’s continental desert climate. In 1963, the family acquired its first vineyard to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system. The vineyard area has since grown to an impressive 600 hectares. The family began converting to organic farming in 1998, and around 300 hectares are now cultivated organically. These vineyards have become important breeding and nesting grounds for many birds and insects. In a desert climate, organically cultivated land provides a genuine oasis of biodiversity.
The vines, particularly classic Argentine varieties such as Malbec, Bonarda and Torrontés, come from the family’s own breeding programme. The team continually works to adapt vines even better to the extreme climate and experiments with new varieties. The Zuccardi family introduced Argentina’s first Zinfandel and Viognier wines to the market.
Winemaking is carried out with the utmost care: the grapes are harvested by hand and brought to the winery in small crates to prevent damage. At the state-of-the-art winery, particular emphasis is placed on low temperatures during fermentation and storage. The result is refined wines with elegance and structure, and a finesse that is a welcome surprise in wines from overseas.
Familia Zuccardi also sets an example in social responsibility. All workers are permanently employed. Unlike the more common system of day labour, families can count on a regular income throughout the year. Both adults and children are offered excellent educational opportunities, decent housing is taken for granted, and a distinctive spirit can be felt throughout the business in a country that has faced considerable economic difficulties.
