Based in the Uco Valley, Zuccardi is one of Argentina’s leading producers. Family owned and run – today by third-generation Sebastián Zuccardi – the property crafts pure-fruited wines that speak of their mountainous Mendoza terroir.
The estate was founded in 1963 by Tito Zuccardi, who had emigrated from Italy and settled in the region in the 1950s. Tito’s son José Alberto joined the business in 1976 and placed more emphasis on work in the vineyard, vastly improving the quality of fruit grown. Sebastián arrived in 2002, introducing a research and development strand to the business in 2008, which has pioneered exploration of the region’s terroir – something embodied by a range of single-site wines.
On the western edge of Mendoza, their vines are spread around the Uco Valley, at high altitude (over 900 metres above sea-level), with an extreme diurnal range (with an almost 20˚C difference between day and night). This unique climate allows for a long growing season, retaining acidity and delicate aromatics in the fruit.
Zuccardi produces a wide range of wines, with Malbec, unsurprisingly, at its heart. They also work with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo and Chardonnay, as well as small volumes of other varieties. The approach to winemaking is as hands-off as possible, with concrete (and occasionally large, old oak) favoured for fermentation and maturation – allowing the fruit and terroir to speak clearly.
Piedra Infinita – in the Paraje Altamira sub-region – is the family’s crown jewel, and home to their impressive, modern, concrete winery (finished in 2016). At 1,100 metres above sea-level, the name translates as “infinite stones”, referencing the volume of stones that had to be cleared from the site before it could be planted. As well as the Finca Piedra Infinita cuvée (made from a blend of Malbec across this site), they produce two single-vineyard Malbec cuvées – Finca Piedra Infinita Supercal and Gravascal. These are among the leading expressions of the Malbec grape coming out of Argentina today.
