Producer >
Back in 1990 when Frenchman, Jean Bousquet, arrived on holiday in Argentina, there wasn’t a vine in sight in the Gualtallary Valley in Mendoza, as it was deemed to be too cold for viticulture. Nor was there any water above ground, electricity or roads but in Bousquet’s mind, with the region’s sunshine hours and cool nights, he had found the ideal terroir in which to produce high quality wines from organically grown grapes. Today, the vineyards cover 240 hectares, primarily on shallow alluvial soils of sand over limestone. Rainfall is very low but with abundant water from the Andes, a drip irrigation system ensures the vines get just enough. Harvest takes place by hand and after destemming, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel and cement tanks with the Premium Varietal range being also aged in tank and the Reserve and Gran Bousquet ranges in French oak barrels.
Viticulture >
Thanks to the dryness of the area and its phylloxera-resistant sandy
soil, farming organically at Domaine Bousquet from day one was both
possible and smart. The three main factors differentiating this virgin
vineyard and its terroir are: the near constant breezes from the Andes
to the west which help mitigate heat-stress in this desert-like climate,
with its huge day/night temperature differentials, the sandy soils result
in low fertility for desirable vine stress and yet are permeable for good
drainage. In addition, the prevalence of Groundwater, with rainfall
averaging a scant 8-inches or less per year, groundwater from Andes
snowmelt is vital to irrigate the vines drop-by-drop. In addition to the
unique terroir- Roots of organically-grown plants penetrate deeper,
absorbing trace minerals that give wines their authentic local taste.
Organic farming is healthier for the environment and, vitally, for the
people who tend the vines.
Winemaking >
Manual harvest during the last week of March and the first week of
April. Cold maceration at 10°C/50 °F for 48 hours. Fermentation 50%
under indigenous yeasts and 50% selected yeasts at a temperature.
Maximum between 25°C/77°F and 27°C/81°F for 10 days.