n the Province of Neuquén there have been vineyards and wines for several decades but they had not managed to transcend until the rise of the "Bodega del Fin del Mundo".
With excellent quality soils for the development of vines, thermal amplitude surpassing the 20º and a scarce rain regime, this new region will certainly give way to comments in the next few years.
As the cold weather and the constant winds favor the sanity of vineyards, insecticide treatments are practically non-necessary.
Due to its agro-climatic conditions, noble grapes such as Malbec, Merlot and Pinot Noir will certainly find an ideal soil to express themselves in this area.
Ruta Provincial 8 - Km 9 - San Patricio del Chañar Tel: 485-5004 E-mail Website
This is one of the newest establishments in the viticultural map, and is making the first step for the development of a new region. It is located in San Patricio del Chañar, 55km from Neuquén capital city. Settled on a desert area with large thermal amplitude, this company is proud to have been the first winery established in the Province of Neuquén which transcends the borders of Patagonia.
In 1999, the first experimental vineyards were implanted to get to know the potential of the area. The results of this experience were satisfactory: they evidenced the aptitude of the weather, as well as of the soils for the production and making of fine quality wines. The first production was made with the 2002 vintage, in which Malbec had stunning results.
San P. del Chañar - Calle 7 Norte Tel: +54 (0299) 15-5086767 / 15-5880359 Cell Phone +54 9 299 508 6767 / +54 9 299 588 0359 E-mail Website
The vineyards of this family undertaking are located 39º South latitude, in the Valley of San Patricio del Chañar, 53 km towards the Northwest of the Province of Neuquén. Neatly distributed on soils with a sandy and rocky texture, they are irrigated with spring creek waters by means of a drip irrigation system. These factors, added to the remarkable temperature extremes, give as a result grapes with excellent levels of color, acidity and aroma, ideal to produce wines with high enological quality, intense colors and complex aromas which remind of fruit and spices.
At the Schroeder Family winery, the wines based on five varieties of grapes grown in Patagonian lands are gaining international renown: Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.
The facilities were specially designed and adapted to the profile of the surrounding cliffs, with five levels that allow a natural movement of the grapes and the use of gravity for the delicate process of wine making. In addition to this, the automatic temperature control and the underground conditioned cellars meet the latest technical demands.
This Argentinian family with European ancestors and deep Patagonian roots makes wines capable of transmitting the remote spirit of the Southern area of the country and its mysterious charm. If you pass by the Province of Neuquén, do visit these facilities.
Ruta Provincial 7 - Calle 15 - San P. del Chañar Tel: 489-7500 / 0800 999 2676 - Int. 229 E-mail
This is one of the newest facilities in the area and it brings along the impulse typical of new projects. About the middle of 2001, the Viñedos de la Patagonia stockholders resolved to undertake wine related activities attracted by an important viticultural development at the San Patricio del Chañar colony, located on Provincial Route 7, 50 km from the capital of the Province of Neuquén.
The most significant capital for this undertaking was the technical assistance provided by well-known national and international career professionals, who have contributed with their knowledge and experience. Furthermore, it has implemented vines of the finest varietals, among which the Malbec, the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot, the Pinot Noir, the Chardonnay and the Sauvignon Blanc are included.
The NQN winery architecture is a synthesis of advanced winemaking technology in combination with the esthetics of the Patagonian scenery. The esthetic concept adopted has searched and managed a harmonical integration with the Patagonian environment without losing sight of the winery technical needs.
They have run the risk and invested in cutting-edge irrigation and fertilization equipments, to provide these southern lands with the best conditions to guarantee successful wines.
All these combinations have launched a product bearing an excellent proportion between quality and price with the trademark called MALMA –"pride" in the Mapuche tongue–, which has entered the regional Patagonian market, as well as the national and international fields, where it competes with well-known wine trademarks, and which has already obtained several international distinctions.
Guided tours are organized on weekdays and the winery offers visitors excellent gastronomical proposals at MALBA RESTO BAR. Dishes prepared by Chef Matías Nuñez, Director of the Gatos Dumas School in Neuquén, are made with Patagonian ingredients.
The winery also organizes special events in a unique atmosphere with a panoramic view of the vineyards. Come and visit the Route of Wine across Patagonia.
Inside the winery, light cuts through the colors of the round stained-glass windows that represent the different stages of winemaking and reproduce the scenery: grape clusters, casks, bottles, the compass rose and the sun shining on the red cliffs. The winery is in Añelo, on Route 7, in the middle of a wineyard field in the Province of Neuquén.
It belongs to Confruva, a stock company presided by Carlos Vidal. Añelo means "the site of the dead man" in the Mapuche tongue, because it was on that ground where, on July 17, 1879, the soldiers led by a sargeant Avila killed Baigorrita, the last Ranquel Indian chief.
Nestled in lands of endless horizons and clear skies that give away days full of sunshine and fresh nights covered with stars, it presents optimum characteristics for growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Malbec and Merlot grapes.
The barrels to keep the wine were acquired in Italy at Della Toffola and the casks were imported from France and acquired at Séguin Moreau and François Frères.
The winery design highlights its industrial aspect. From the laboratory, core of the industry, it is possible to supervise how the vineyard works, the grinding activities, and the fermentation and bottling stages.
All these performances have given origin to wines with body, intense colors and complex aromas.
n the Province of Neuquén there have been vineyards and wines for several decades but they had not managed to transcend until the rise of the "Bodega del Fin del Mundo".
