The Vines of Mendoza | Blog

Archive for 2007

The Vines Private Vineyard Estates is featured in Mendoza’s Punto a Punto magazine

Monday, October 22nd, 2007

The Vines of Mendoza doubles hectares in their project in Valle de Uco

As 70 out of the initial 100 hectares have already been sold, they have decided to double the area for the project. Total investment is US$ 10 million.

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The wine entrepreneurship known as Private Vineyard Estates and led by The Vines of Mendoza in Valle de Uco, has expanded its initial project, and the 100 hectares where a wine resort is in the process of development has doubled to 200 hectares. The project started last year, and currently, 70 hectares have been sold where vines for ultra-Premium wines are being planted.

Total investment is US$ 10 million distributed between vineyards and wineries in 2-hectare lots sold to American and European businessmen. The company estimates that by December this year, investment will be US$ 3 million. The price per hectare is US$ 95,000, including the winery space each owner has and a 3-year vineyard maintenance service supported by the company.

‘In 15 days, we will be installing the irrigation system per lot with automated scales, which is state-of-the-art technology for this type of activities’, explained Pablo Gimenez-Riili, one of the Mendoza managers of The Vines of Mendoza.

Apart from raising money abroad, The Vines of Mendoza is planning to explore the Argentine market shortly, specially the Buenos Aires market, in order to attract the attention of people interested in the ambitious project focused on wine production. According to Gimenez-Riili, ‘all the company services are oriented to provide high end standards in our productions’.

Determining factors for the foreign owners to have decided to invest in this project are focused on Mendoza lifestyle and local wine, as well as the services offered by the company. ‘We have highly qualified staff, customer service and winemakers to pay attention to any pleas’, commented Gimenez-Riili.



Area del Vino Interviews Michael Evans

Monday, October 22nd, 2007

MICHAEL EVANS, THE VINES OF MENDOZA

“We are thrilled to have started planting vines for the first Private Vineyard Estates” (11/10/2007) – Author: Laura Saieg

The Vines of Mendoza, company founded in 2004, planted the first vines for the first group of PVE owners last Saturday. In an interview with Día a Día del Vino, Michael Evans, CEO of the company, chatted with us about the present and future of the partnership.

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- How did the idea of creating Private Vineyard Estates come up?

- It has always been my dream to buy a vineyard and make wine. When we came to Mendoza that dream was possible – so we started talking about the idea with a few friends who told us they shared the same dream. So we realized that there was a business opportunity, and found an amazing 400 hectare piece of property in the Valle de Uco. Our idea is to help people realize their dream of making wine – and making amazing wine under the guidance of Santiago Achaval.

- How many hectares have you planted yet?

- This year we are planting the first 50 hectares. In total, the Private Vineyard Estates will encompass 200 hectares of vineyards. It should be noted that each person can purchase a 4-hectare (10-acre) lot.

- When did you start planning?

- We started planning last Saturday and we are thrilled. We have sold 25 lots so far. Each year there will be 20 available lots, until we sell out 80.

- What is special about these vineyards?

- We champion small production, boutique wineries, many of which are not available outside Mendoza and do not have tasting rooms. We also feature some of the best wines from some larger wineries.

- How much is a hectare?

- Approximately U$100,000 including title to land, planting of varietals and access to the bodega to make up to 5,000 bottles of ultra-premium wine per hectare.

- ¿Qué tipo de variedades son?

- We will plant whatever our owners want – so far we have planted 14 varietals. The most popular are Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Torrontés.

- Can the owner follow up on his vineyard development?

- Our owners participate in every part of the project – from selecting the varietals to plant, to actually coming to Mendoza to plant their own vines! They will come for harvest and make suggestions in the winery. They can be as much or as little involved as they choose.

- Are the winemakers those who buy the parcels or do they work for The Vines?

- Santiago Achaval de Achaval Ferrer is our consulting winemaker – so he will oversee all the winemaking. We will also invite guest winemakers to make wine with the owners and over time, many of the owners will become winemakers.

- How will this project continue?

- We started with 100 hectares to divide and sell as private vineyard estates. Now we have doubled the size to 200 hectares. Next year we will start construction with Bormida & Yanzón on the micro production bodega. And we are developing a 5 star resort on the property.

- Apart from Private Vineyard estates, you have a Tasting Toom, is this right?

- Yes – it is located at Espejo 567 in the city of Mendoza, and it is called ‘Valle de Uco’. We feature 90 different great Argentine wines. Wines are available in flights of 5 tastes – Los Tintos, Las Muestras and Los Malbec, as well as Las Reservas del Valle and Las Reservas de Argentina – or by the glass. We also have an Information Center as we wanted to provide visitors to Mendoza with all the information they need to have an amazing experience here. So we developed the Insiders Guide and give it out at the Vines, hotels, rental car agencies, etc – it lists our favorite bodegas and restaurants in Mendoza.



The Vines of Mendoza Wins the Gold Medal!

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

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The Best of Mendoza’s wine tourism awards took place last week and honored The Vines of Mendoza with the 2008 Best Significant Wine Tourism Experience award. This prestigious award is given by the The Global Network of Great Wine Capitals which is comprised of Melbourne, Bordeaux, San Francisco – Napa Valley, Porto, Cape Town, Bilbao-Rioja, Florence and Mendoza, and works to encourage international winery tourism, as well as economic, academic and cultural exchanges between these famous capitals of wine.

Around 250 bodegas compete for these important awards and the gold winners in each category are nominated to go to the final award ceremony in Portugal, competing against other countries in their respective category.

The awards were announced for seven categories: Architecture, Parks and Gardens & the Environment, Wine Tourism Services, Conference and Convention facilities, Art and Culture, Significant Wine Tourism Experience, Wine Tourism Restaurant.

The Vines won the category related to Significant Wine Tourism Experience. Explained by Sub-secretary of Tourism for Mendoza, Gabriela Testa, The Vines of Mendoza won for the originality of wine services, which gives visitors a long lasting relationship with the province and the wines of Argentina.

Congratulations to everyone at The Vines!!

For more information about this prestigious association and award, visit www.greatwinecapitals.com



The Vines of Mendoza plants vines at the Private Vineyard Estates!

Tuesday, October 16th, 2007

This last weekend we planted our first vines at our Valle de Uco property marking a major milestone for us here at The Vines as well as for our Private Vineyard Estate owners. We will be planting over 475,000 vines consisting of 14 varietals on 200 acres of virgin land.
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Pablo Giménez Riili

It has been amazing to watch the evolution of the vineyard development, transforming a wide-open rugged landscape into an actual vineyard with rows, posts and trellising. Our team of experts, including agronomist Diego Reina and consulting winemaker Santiago Achával, have taken extreme care with every aspect of the design: land clearing, row spacing, vineyard post placement, trellising, and irrigation as well as procuring the best vines from nurseries in Argentina and Italy.

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New vineyards

We are all so excited by this momentus event. This first planting for our owners is just the beginning of their winemaking adventure!

If you are interested in becoming a Private Vineyard Estate owner, please contact David Garrett at dave@vinesofmendoza.com



The Vines is featured in El Gourmet

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

Elisabeth Checa is one of the very best wine journalists and critics from Argentina. She has her own magazine as well she works for elgourmet.com.

She visited The Vines Tasting Room last month during the Antucura winemaker night. She has a lot of great things to say about the Vines, Private Vineyards and the upcoming Masters of Food and Wine.

GOURMET US TOUR

Park Hyatt Hotels – the Argentine Masters of Food & Wine – US Tour 2007 is a special preview of the Masters of Food & Wine – South America 2008. Chefs Fernando Trocca and Juliana Lopez May from elgourmet.com are participating in these events.

Gourmet meals will bring Argentina flavors to you, prepared by renowned chefs and exceptional Argentine wines. They will make their way to the United States in a Gourmet Tour which will take place in the American cities of Philadelphia, Washington and Chicago: The Argentine Masters of Food & Wine – US Tour 2007.

Especially invited chefs and sommeliers join the Park Hyatt Hotels from Argentina in this promotional tour. With the support of The Vines of Mendoza, they are presenting these events in Park Hyatt Philadelphia (09/17), Park Hyatt Washington (09/19) and Park Hyatt Chicago (09/21).

Continuing the success of the Masters of Food & Wine held at Park Hyatt Carmel – Highlands Inn for 21 years and the first and already internationally known and successful Masters of Food and Wine South America held in Mendoza this year, Global Hyatt has decided to expand the concept through its Park Hyatt hotels and honor the main gourmet destinations around the world.

This first tour presents an authentic Argentine Experience where the senses will be honored and the bouquet and flavors of the Latin food will be introduced.

Four Argentine chefs will be a part of the tour: Fernando Trocca, executive chef and owner of Sucre and El Diamante in Buenos Aires, Industria Argentina in New Cork; Juan Manuel Guizzo, chef at Bistro M in Park Hyatt Mendoza; Maximo Lopez May chef at Gioia Restaurant in Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires; Juliana Lopez May, owner of the C.O.C.I.N.A workshop (Como Organizar Con Inspiración Nuestra Alimentacion – How to organize what we eat with inspiration) in Buenos Aires. Trocca and Juliana Lopez May are chefs from elgourmet.com.

In coordination with each Park Hyatt Hotel participating in the event, chefs will prepare gourmet dishes typical from Argentina.

The executive chef at the Argentine Embassy in the States, Maximo Togni will also join these events with his creations.

Located at the base of The Andes, Mendoza is known for being one of the 8 Great Wine Capitals. The Vines of Mendoza specializes in introducing the most distinguished Argentine wines to the American market.

The Vines of Mendoza will be a wine sponsor for this occasion. Tasting sessions will be conducted and gourmet dishes will be paired with wines especially selected.
In September, Park Hyatt Philadelphia, Park Hyatt Washington and Park Hyatt Chicago the following selection of amazing wines will be added to their menus:

Luigi Bosca, Mairena, Matices, Pascual Toso, Séptima, Tapiz, Tempus Alba, Trapiche, Catena Zapata, Enrique Foster, Giménez-Rilli, Salentein, Viña Cobos, Dominio del Plata, Tikal, Familia Zuccardi.

During the presentation at Park Hyatt Washington, Gabriela Sabatini (a renowned Argentine Tennis Player) will be there to promote the wonders of Mendoza’s wines.

To announce the Tour, a gourmet soiree was organized at the Park Hyatt in Buenos Aires. We met Carl Emberson there, General Manager of the Park Hyatt Mendoza. He is one of the key partners and the driving force behind these gourmet occasions.

Private Vineyards, an American dream

The Vines of Mendoza
– Six months after opening its doors, The Vines of Mendoza, Tasting Room and Information center, announces the second phase of its project: Private Vineyard Estates in the heart of the Uco Valley for wine lovers.

The Vines of Mendoza comprises the dream of every wine lover: owning their own vineyard to make their own wines. Therefore, it manages 101 hectares of land located in the heart of the Uco Valley, surrounded by renowned wineries such as Salentein, J&F Lurton and Clos de los Siete.

The property has 50 parcels of 1.6 to 5 hectares each, which will be planted especially with Malbec grapes, as well as Syrah and Merlot.

Twenty of these parcels have been already sold, whose owners are 19 Americans and 1 Mexican. Acquiring one of these lots includes title to property, first plantation, irrigation system and maintenance for 3 years. You will have access to the winery with state-of-the-art technology, and you will be a part of the personal making process working with industry leaders (such as Santiago Achaval, from Achaval-Ferrer and Diego Reina, from Rutini, Andeluna) in every area of the vineyard management and the making process.

There will also be some available parcels for building houses.
The winery will have a 500.000 liter capacity, completely equipped with a private cellar for ageing wine in barrels and in bottles. It will be open to Private Vineyard owners to make, develop their blends as well as to bottle their own wine. A customized program for wine-making will be offered, especially designed for guests, including those who are not owners of Private Vineyards. They will become a part of the art of wine-making and work next to the most famous Argentine and international winemakers to make their own wine.
Vineyard and terroir analysis carried out by specialists, customized vineyard and development management, invaluable contribution of expert winemakers, access to the winery and wine storage, all of which make up the array of services to be provided to the land owners.
The Wine Resort & Spa, 3rd Phase


By the end of 2008, opening a luxurious all-inclusive resort, to be located next to the vineyards and the winery has been planned. It will offer exclusive programs related to the wine industry, services and amenities like no other in America.
This complex of facilities includes a high-end restaurant, a wine bar, a cellar, a spa, a barn, a swimming pool, a tennis court and a mountain hut.
Bormida & Yanzon, one of the most renowned Architecture firms in Mendoza, is currently working on the design of the winery and the resort.
The Vines of Mendoza has a wine bar and a wine shop, very close to the Park Hyatt Mendoza, where you can taste a selection of boutique and Ultra Premium wines. The place is an restored home painted in intense pink, with glamorous spaces and service.

The Vines of Mendoza


The wine whereabouts – a space for wine lovers opens its doors in the heart of Mendoza: The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room & Information Center is the newest and most complete regional center to find wines and directed to a growing international community interested in the Mendoza wine industry.

The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room & Information Center offers a collection of exclusive wines from dozens of wineries, which have not been yet discovered by visitors, to enjoy in a great and comfortable location.
‘Our own expert in the matter tasted and selected the best out of over 2,000 wines for our customers to choose between a range of unique wines in only one place’ – commented the co-founder of The Vines of Mendoza and CEO Michael Evans -, ‘our guests can taste the exclusive collection in 2 modern tasting rooms, including one Reserve Room, and purchase their favorite ones to be shipped directly to their homes in Europe or the United States.’
The Main Tasting Room offers three flights ($30 each) of 5 wines each. Guests choose between a collection of unique Malbecs, an array of Argentine reds including Bonarda, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; or a regional tasting of Torrontes, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec and selective blends.

Thought for the most demanding palates, guests can choose to do a Reserve Flight (a collection of reserve wines) for $100, which shows samples of the best Argentine wines produced by families who own limited productions, including Gimenez-Riili, O’Fournier, Achaval Ferrer and Carmelo Patti.

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The reserve Room shows 35 of the finest wines in Argentina, also available to be tasted by the glass.


The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room & Information Center also offers an array of services and educational programs that include wine seminars, pairing lessons, daily tastings, customized & private tastings, a monthly meeting of the Acequia Wine club and their English speaking staff offers free guidance to Mendoza’s wineries and restaurants.
Located in a hystorical building and designed by the renowned duet of architects from Bormida & Yanzon, the Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room & Information Center is located near Plaza Independencia – on Espejo 567 – and opens every day from 10 to 22hs.
Founded by Michael Evans, David Garrett and Pablo Gimenez-Riili in 2004, The Vines of Mendoza is an American company of Real Estate projects and luxurious hospitality, located in Mendoza, Argentina.
The company owns and is in charge of The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room & Information Center, in the center of the city, and the Acequia Wine Club.
The Reserve Division in the Uco Valley includes the Mendoza Reserve Private Vineyard estates, private parcels professionally managed and the Mendoza Reserve resort, a luxurious 5-star resort 5 to open in 2008.
Please contact Michael Evans at
US #: (707) 320-2699
ARG #: +54 9 (261) 15-504-0477



Argentine Masters of Food & Wine Teaser Collection 30% off

Friday, September 14th, 2007
Argentine Masters of Food & Wine Teaser Collection 30% off

The US Tour of the Masters of Food & Wine South America kicks off next week giving American foodies and oenophiles the opportunity to discover and enjoy an incredible selection of distinctive Argentine wines paired with delectable morsels prepared by Argentina’s greatest chefs.To celebrate, we invite you to discover three featured boutique bodegas of the event. You may not have heard of them yet but they will definitely tempt your palate.Sale ends Friday, September 28th. Quantities are limited.
3 BOTTLE COLLECTION $55
Teaser Collection

2004 Tempus Alba Tempranillo
Produced from 50 year old vines, The Biandolillo family crafts this Tempranillo, 3,120 bottles, by hand with special care.

2004 Matices de Abril Malbec
Only 3,000 bottles of this powerful, complex Malbec were produced. Meaning shades of April, it signifies when the owner fulfilled his lifelong dream of growing and producing wine.

2004 Prodigo Reserva Malbec
Alessandro Speri, a fifth generation grape grower in Italy, left Milan in 2002 to follow his dream of making Malbec in Mendoza and currently only produces 14,000 bottles of this rich fruit driven Malbec.

Que los disfrute!

Michael Evans
CEO & Cofounder

The Vines of Mendoza
(normally $75)



PAVI WINE DINNER

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

It is very common to hold wine dinners in California and I experienced my first one with Rob Lawson with his Pavi Wines (Rob’s personal wine brand). It was held at a very nice restaurant, where the chef paired the wines with interesting dishes.

Rob was a showman, totally surprising me and the rest of the guests, presenting every wine with a particular story about it. The Pavi brand name itself is the name of his wife. Her family, following a family tradition, named her Pavi, which is a combination of the first two letters of each of the parents names, hence her mothers name Vima and her fathers namePaul: she is Pavi!!! Unfortunately Pavi and Rob couldn’t follow this tradition with their daughters, as it would have to be Ropa or Paro. Not the best names for the cute girls they have.

The wines were all stars, starting with the Pinot Grigio from Napa and also included wines of the same varietals but which were directly imported from Venice (Italy). It was interesting to taste them together because you noticed the difference of the terroir. We tasted the “Dolcetto” next and I fell in love with it. It is a very nice wine for meat (I might take some bottles, it would be perfect for an asado!!!), with strawberry marmalade, cassis, vanilla notes and sweet tannins and long finish. My favorite!

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It was a nice dinner we all enjoyed it very much. People went to bed smiling …



Argentina goes to Napa

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

Florencia Pereyra, our community relations manager for the Vines of Mendoza, has the amazing opportunity to work with our consultant Rob Lawson (Napa Valley Wine Company, Pavi Wines) in the Napa Valley for a harvest. We all miss her terribly but will be documenting her experiences and progress throughout this exciting wine adventure. Here is the first in a series of blogs that she is writing from the Napa Valley for everyone here at the Vines of Mendoza.

My first crush!

Yes I did it!!! I am currently in the Napa Valley, California, working as an intern for Rob Lawson, a consultant for several wineries in the Napa Valley as well as the owner/winemaker of Pavi Wines. www.paviwines.com. Here I am in my first harvest, experiencing everything from picking the grapes to working in the cellar with everyone making wine. By the end of my time here I might even be a winemaker!

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Flor’s first crush

Yesterday afternoon we crushed Pinot Grigio. It was a nice experience to sort the fruit, selecting just the right clusters. The goal was to keep only the best fruit and take out those that were not a good enough quality to press.

Everyone on the team is great, joking with me all the time. The Mexican guys are the best, however, as I get to speak a little Spanish with them. Claudio, an Italian intern working for Napa Wine Company (were Rob makes all his wines) also helps with the selection and crush process.

It is a very international environment right now in the Napa Valley, with interns from all over the world working the harvest for different wineries. I am meeting many interns from Australia, France, U.S, Chile, Brazil and Argentina all gathering for the same interest…wine.

The weather in California is getting hot and we are getting ready for the red varietals which should be coming in the following weeks…I’m so excited!!!

Flor



The Vines in Fortune Small Business

Monday, September 10th, 2007
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U.S WINE-MAKERS FLOCKS TO ARGENTINA
By Ian Mount
September 7 2007: 3:49 PM EDT

The South American country’s currency crisis opened the door for overseas

entrepreneurs to buy its vineyards at low prices.

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http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/23/smbusiness/argentina_vineyards.fsb/index.htm



The Vines arrive from Italy!

Friday, August 31st, 2007

These pictures correspond to the reception of the first container of vines purchased in Italy. All the clones from Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc have arrived. All the plants were un perfect conditions: with a good amount of roots and excellent state of humidity. Francisco Evangelista, our Vineyard Manager, and Diego Reina, our consultant agronomist, checked all the plants before putting them in cold store.
In the next couple of days, the second and last container will arrive.

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Francisco Evangelista and Diego Reina

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New vines