The harvest stage, which began a few weeks ago on our estates in Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco, waits expectantly for the red wine harvest. Although most of the grapes are still waiting patiently on the vines, we can already glimpse some trends and challenges that will shape the season.
The harvest of white grapes for sparkling wine began on January 18 and continued at a good pace with white grapes for still and rosé wines. The last incoming white grapes from the highest areas of the Uco Valley were harvested in early March.
The white and rosé wines show very good aromatic intensity with fruity profiles and moderate alcohol in good balance with the acidity.
The red grapes received so far are Pinot Noir and Merlot, which show profiles with good typicity and fruit intensity.
In terms of weather conditions, this year is shaping up to be an intriguing combination of heat and humidity.
It is important to point out that the wines that are in the midst of fermentation have not yet reached their final form. The harvest will continue over the next few weeks with the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and other red grapes, and expectations persist as to how the flavors and aromas will develop.
The water supply for this season has returned to normal values after several years of severe drought, thanks to the winter snowfall in 2023. This contributed to good foliage development in the vineyards.
In this regard, there were no frost episodes that affected production in general, although fruit set was affected by the zonda wind between October and December 2023, especially in sensitive varieties such as Malbec.
However, the capricious nature of the weather has left its mark. Extreme warm temperatures between late January and early February played a crucial role.
These conditions led the plants to temporarily stop the process of glucose transfer to the fruit, influencing in the ripening and causing harvest dates to be extended in some cases.
The impact of all these phenomena on the style of the wines is still uncertain. Our agronomic team’s careful management of the vineyard was key to achieving healthy growth, applying strategies such as maintenance to keep the plants working optimally.
It is important to point out that the wines that are in the midst of fermentation have not yet reached their final form. The harvest will continue over the next few weeks with the Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and other red grapes, and expectations persist as to how the flavors and aromas will develop.
We pursue the health and excellence that characterize our fruit, which is why we were able to overcome the season’s climatic ups and downs.
This is the first step to achieve memorable wines, conceived from the vineyard to faithfully express the character of the terroir.
