ZUCCARDI VALLE DE UCO
Posted by Mark J, Brookshaw on 1st Jul 2025
Zuccardi Valle de Uco embodies the dedication of three generations, all driven by a shared passion for crafting wines that truly reflect the distinctive character of their terroir.
THE BEGINNING
In 1963, Engineer Alberto "Tito" Zuccardi embarked on a journey in Mendoza, driven by an unwavering commitment to combat the challenges posed by the desert. His visionary approach led him to plant the family's inaugural vineyard, demonstrating the potential of an innovative irrigation system he had developed. This pivotal moment ignited his profound passion for viticulture, setting the stage for future generations to continue his legacy.
In 1985, José Alberto took the helm of the family business, continuing the legacy of his father. With a spirit that mirrors his father's innovation and vision, José Alberto has emerged as one of Argentina’s most passionate wine ambassadors, propelling their winery and the Argentine wine sector to remarkable global acclaim.
DISCOVERING NEW TERROIRS
In 1999, Sebastián – the son of José Alberto and grandson of Tito – initiated a personal venture alongside several friends to produce sparkling wines in the Uco Valley. Shortly thereafter, he joined the family winery, spearheading developments in this high-altitude region.
By 2007, they had established their first vineyards in Canal Uco, Paraje Altamira, and progressively expanded their holdings with additional sites like Piedra Infinita and Los Membrillos in Paraje Altamira, Las Cuchillas in San Pablo, and Las Cerrilladas and Agua de La Jarilla in Gualtallary.
In 2009, Sebastián launched the Research and Development department, dedicated to a thorough investigation of the various soils and other factors influencing the Uco Valley terroir and its wines. The team's exploration of the region's rich diversity in soils, landscapes, and climates has empowered them to create wines that truly embody the essence of their origin.
In 2022, they distinguished themselves as the only winery in Argentina to receive three 100-point ratings from Robert Parker | Wine Advocate, elevating the Paraje Altamira region to the forefront of the world's finest terroirs.
That same year, Wine Enthusiast honoured Zuccardi Valle de Uco as the 'New World Winery of the Year.' Additionally, for three consecutive years (2019-2020-2021), they were recognized as the Best Vineyard in the World by The World’s Best Vineyards, and in 2022, they proudly entered the Hall of Fame.
THE VINEYARDS
The vineyards are planted in a high-altitude mountain desert, among alluvial soils with large stones and rich in calcium carbonate. Each vineyard has a unique identity, related to its soils, climate, landscape and history.
The challenge is to faithfully interpret the diversity of each place to express its identity in the wine.
FINCA Canal Uco: The Tunuyán River irrigates most of the vineyards in Mendoza, and the Canal Uco is the first canal that draws water from it. It has been the vital pulse of irrigation in the southern part of the Uco Valley for decades.
This was the first vineyard the family planted in the Uco Valley, marking the beginning of their journey discovering the identity of Paraje Altamira.
LOCATION: Paraje Altamira, San Carlos
ALTITUDE: 1100 m | 3609 ft
THE PLACE: Located upon land with more than 100 years of agricultural history and irrigation from the Uco canal, in the northern area of Paraje Altamira. This vineyard laid the foundation for Zuccardi´s development in the Uco Valley. Its soils are of medium depth and maintain the characteristics common to this region.
CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE: Paraje Altamira has a temperate climate, with cold nights and significant temperature variation. Its landscape is dominated by a plain covered with vineyards planted amidst large rocks and framed by a backdrop of the Cordón del Portillo among the vast mountain range.
SOIL PROFILE: Medium-depth alluvial soil. Superficial horizon of sandy loam texture, and subsoil with large granite stones covered with calcareous material, originating from the alluvial fan of the Tunuyán River.
VARIETIES: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc.
TRELLIS SYSTEM: Double Cordon. 5000 to 7000 plants/hectare.
IRRIGATION: Drip irrigation
TOTAL SURFACE AREA: 58,7 hectares| 145 acres
FINCA Piedra Infinita: This vineyard is a unique place, with an impressive landscape. We had to move more than a thousand trucks filled with stones to make room for the vines. Cultivating this vineyard involves studying, working, knowing each row, each stone. Tirelessly exploring its immense diversity to be able to interpret it through the wine.
LOCATION: IG Paraje Altamira, San Carlos
ALTITUDE: 1100 m | 3609 ft
THE PLACE: Located in the heart of the alluvial fan of the Tunuyán River, this vineyard reflects the characteristic identity of Paraje Altamira. The viticulture of this vineyard involves performing each task in the vineyard cycle (from pruning to harvest) based on soil type. The winery is found at the heart of the vineyard.
CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE: Paraje Altamira has a temperate climate, with cold nights and significant temperature variation. Its landscape is dominated by a plain covered with vineyards planted amidst large rocks and framed by a backdrop of the Cordón del Portillo among the vast mountain range.
SOIL PROFILE: Shallow alluvial soil. Superficial horizon of sandy texture, and subsoil with large granite stones covered with calcareous material, originating from the alluvial fan of the Tunuyán River.
VARIETIES: Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Bonarda, Tempranillo
TRELLIS SYSTEM: Double Cordon. 7000 plants/hectare
IRRIGATION: Drip irrigation
TOTAL SURFACE AREA: 44,6 hectares | 110,2 acres
FINCA Los Membrillos: More than 20 years ago, a family of winegrowers planted this Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, which reached the family hands in 2008. There was an indelible stamp on it – the rows of quince trees surrounding the vineyard – conserving this tradition found in the oldest vineyards in the area.
LOCATION: IG Paraje Altamira, San Carlos
ALTITUDE: 1060 m | 3478 ft
THE PLACE: Located in the eastern extreme of Paraje Altamira, this vineyard resembles the traditional vineyards surrounded by quince trees in the La Consulta area. The layout of its plots and the design of its trellises are intended to achieve harmony between the rich viticultural tradition of the region and our viticulture team´s management to achieve balance among the vineyards.
CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE: Paraje Altamira has a temperate climate, with cold nights and significant temperature variation. Its landscape is dominated by a plain covered with vineyards planted amidst large rocks and framed by a backdrop of the Cordón del Portillo among the vast mountain range. SOIL PROFILE: Medium-depth alluvial soil. Superficial horizon of sandy loam texture, and subsoil with large granite stones covered with calcareous material, originating from the alluvial fan of the Tunuyán River. VARIETIES: Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Cabernet Franc
TRELLIS SYSTEM: Double Cordon. 2700 to 5200 plants/hectare
IRRIGATION: Drip irrigation
TOTAL SURFACE AREA: 37,2 hectares | 91,9 acres
FINCA Las Cuchillas: Due to its altitude and proximity to the mountains, San Pablo is one of the coldest places in the Uco Valley. Their arrival at Finca Las Cuchillas was motivated by the search for that cold climate and its calcareous soils, with a focus on cultivating white wines and different styles of red wines.
The vineyard´s name refers to the mountain ridges that run from west to east in that area, known as "cuchillas" (blades). Our vineyard is a true balcony to observe this particular area of the mountain range.
LOCATION: IG San Pablo, Tunuyán
ALTITUDE: 1400 m | 4593 ft
THE PLACE: Located on the alluvial fan of the Las Tunas River, just 600 meters from the first ridges of the Frontal Mountain Range, this vineyard represents an authentic mountain vineyard. Its altitude and extreme climate leave their mark on the vineyard's development and give identity to the wines.
CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE: San Pablo has a cold and extreme climate due to its altitude and proximity to the ridges of the Frontal Mountain Range. It is an area with late bud break and slower maturation. Its landscape is dominated by groves of trees and streams, creating the image of an authentic oasis in front of the mountains.
SOIL PROFILE: Alluvial soil of medium and great depth. Surface horizon of sandy loam texture, and subsoil with stones covered with calcareous material originating from the alluvial fan of the Las Tunas River.
VARIETIES: Chardonnay, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Albariño, Verdejo, Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Bonarda
TRELLIS SYSTEM: Double Cordon. 5000 to 7000 plants/hectare
IRRIGATION: Drip irrigation
TOTAL SURFACE AREA: 40,5 hectares| 100 acres
FINCA Las Cerrilladas: This vineyard is planted at an altitude of 1360 meters | 4462 feet, at the foot of the Jaboncillo hills, called "cerrilladas", in the paraje of Gualtallary that we know as "Monasterio". It is the result of our search for synthesis between the vineyard and the landscape. Its 30 parcels, surrounded by native vegetation of the area, respect the richness of the topography and soil types of this place, where caliche and gravel covered in calcareous material abound, amongst an authentic mountain desert climate.
LOCATION: Gualtallary, Tupungato
ALTITUDE: 1360 m | 4462 ft
THE PLACE: Located at the foot of the Jaboncillo hills, the only elevated hills cultivated within the Uco Valley. This vineyard expresses the diversity and richness of the Gualtallary terroir. The design of each of its parcels is the result of years of work in research and development, and our team´s interpretation of the vineyard. In its alluvial soils from the Las Tunas River, we find different calcareous materials, such as gravels and caliche, which are expressed with transparency by Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay vines.
CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE: Gualtallary has a temperate, arid, and windy climate. An authentic high-altitude desert. These characteristics, combined with the altitude and austerity of its soils, make it a challenging place for cultivating grapes. This vineyard is fully integrated into the native vegetation, among ravines and dry streams that surround each parcel.
SOIL PROFILE: Very heterogeneous alluvial soil, originating from the alluvial fan of the Las Tunas River and heavily influenced by the Jaboncillo Hills. Surface horizon of sandy texture, subsoil with alluvial stones covered with calcium carbonate and caliche.
VARIETIES: Malbec, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Bonarda
TRELLIS SYSTEM: Double Cordon: 5000 plants/hectare. Echalas (Gobelet): 4400 to 5200 plants/hectare.
IRRIGATION: Drip irrigation
TOTAL SURFACE AREA: 32 hectares | 79 acres
FINCA Agua de la Jarilla: This vineyard is found in the paraje that we know as Gualtallary “Montasterio”. It takes its name from the stream that descends from the Jaboncillo Hills towards the El Peral Hills. It represents the perfect balance between landscape and vineyard.
With its rows of vines integrated among extensive canyons of native vegetation and its rich relief of ravines and hills, each parcel displays a unique identity, reflecting the richness of Gualtallary.
LOCATION: Gualtallary, Tupungato
ALTITUDE: 1385 m | 4544 ft
THE PLACE: Located at the foot of the Jaboncillo hills, the only elevated hills cultivated within the Uco Valley. This vineyard expresses the diversity and richness of the Gualtallary terroir. The design of each of its parcels is the result of years of work in research and development, and our team´s interpretation of the vineyard. In its alluvial soils from the Las Tunas River, we find different calcareous materials, such as gravels and caliche, which are expressed with transparency by Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay vines.
CLIMATE AND LANDSCAPE: Gualtallary has a temperate, arid, and windy climate. An authentic high-altitude desert. These characteristics, combined with the altitude and austerity of its soils, make it a challenging place for cultivating grapes. The landscape of this vineyard is dominated by the relief of the hills, with its parcels planted on slopes and terraces, with the imposing view of the El Plata hills and the Tupungato volcano behind.
SOIL PROFILE: Very heterogeneous alluvial soil, originating from the alluvial fan of the Las Tunas River and heavily influenced by the Jaboncillo Hills. Surface horizon of sandy texture, subsoil with alluvial stones covered with calcium carbonate and caliche.
VARIETIES: Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay
TRELLIS SYSTEM: Double Cordon: 5000 to 5700 plants/hectare. Echalas (Gobelet): 4400 to 5200 plants/hectare. Terrazas.
IRRIGATION: Drip irrigation
TOTAL SURFACE AREA: 70 hectares | 173 acres
MOUNTAIN WINES
