Organic Fairtrade Malbec Pacheco Pereda Mendoza 2022

Description

Pacheco Pereda was established in Mendoza in 2010 by Alejandro Bulgheroni with the aim of extending sustainable viticulture in Argentina. This vision has resulted in one of Argentina’s largest organic-certified vineyard holdings. The name ‘Pacheco Pereda’ harks back to 20th century migrant families arriving in Argentina to establish farms on the sort of land that existed prior to industrial agriculture.

The vineyards are in the Luján de Cuyo region, split between 231 hectares in Finca Alto Agrelo, located between 980 and 1200 metres above sea level, and 99 hectares in Finca Pedemonte at 740 metres. Back in 2010, the team at Pacheco Pereda carried out a vast soil-mapping exercise across the vineyards, using electric conductivity technology, to understand the different soil textures and assessed the soil drainage capacity by digging five hundred soil pits. The findings resulted in the vineyards being split into 74 individual parcels, to which varietals were matched and different planting densities implemented accordingly. Organic certification followed, together with the introduction of natural corridors through the vineyards to improve biodiversity. The winery is also part of the initiative ‘4 per 1000’, launched at the COP21 climate change conference, which commits to actions promoting and implementing healthy soils that can trap carbon and reduce its impact on climate change. Winemaker Hernan Rinaldini and consultant Alberto Antonini have employed a similarly thorough approach in the winery.

The Finca Alto Agrelo vineyard is situated around 1,200 metres above sea level in Luján de Cuyo. There are a total of 231 hectares of organic vineyards planted here, of which 100 are used to produce this Malbec. The soil is a mix of stones and sand, and the vines are grown using a vertical shoot position trellis system (VSP).

Fermentation took place in stainless steel at 26-28°C for 7 days, and malolactic fermentation also occurred. Half of the wine was aged in medium toast French oak barrels for 3 months before blending and bottling.

This organic Malbec has a deep purple colour and fruit forward aromas of plums, cherries, and raspberries, with some violet notes. On the palate, it is medium bodied with round and velvety tannins, and a refreshing mouthfeel.