Argentina

Vistalba

Valle de Vistalba, Mendoza

Carlos Pulenta ran both Trapiche (the family business which was sold in 1997) and Salentein, which he built up and then left to concentrate on Vistalba and Tomero in 2002 . One of the oldest vineyards in Mendoza, Vistalba is situated in the Valle de Vistalba. Soil is sand and stone but in this area the old style flood irrigation designed to produce high yields left a heavy deposit from the river, which may explain the wine’s extra dimension of minerality and complexity. Carlos’ father bought the vineyard in 1970 when the family owned Trapiche but Carlos only took it over when the whole estate was shared between the four brothers and two sisters.

Gravity-fed winery and reception rooms have been beautifully designed and completed in 2005, and a restaurant ‘La Bourgogne’ is on site, owned by a famous French chef Jean Paul Bondoux, who also owns the franchise in one of Buenos Aires’ most famous hotels, the Alvear Palace, and a top restaurant in Punte del Este in Uruguay.

60 year old vineyards, which benefit from summer temperature oscillation of 35-45°, provide the fruit and pruning is done by parcel to reduce yields more in those parcels destined for A, then B and C. Wines from these parcels are then vinified separately and put into barrel before selection, after which they are returned to barrel.

This is a jewel in the crown of Argentinean winemaking and the wines are rapidly achieving cult status in Argentina.

Visit: www.carlospulentawines.com