The WineThe Zuccardi winery is located in the Valle de Ucco on a high-elevation plateau in the shadow of the Andes mountains. It is so stunningly beautiful that it was named the #1 winery to visit for the second year in a row. For comparison, Mondavi was #5, Opus One was #20.
The Bonarda grape (also called Charbono in California and Douce Noir in Eastern France) produces an easy-drinking red wine best enjoyed within a few years of the vintage. It has been called Argentina's best kept wine secret, and works particularly well with dishes such as pot roast, pasta dishes, soft and mild cheeses and even grilled chicken or tuna steaks.
The Producer
Sebastian (Seba) Zuccardi is the third generation and current steward of this family affair. The oldest of three siblings, his sister Julia meticulously manages the hospitality side of the business, including the on-site restaurant, while younger brother Miguel manages the family's olive oil business. Together, they have expanded the winery's reputation for impeccable hospitality and award-winning wines.
The winery was started in 1963, Alberto Zuccardi, planted the first acre of vines in what is now the famed Maipú wine-growing region of Mendoza. Familia Zuccardi has continued to grow and develop ever since, and is now positioned as a benchmark for Argentina's winemaking industry, having earned a coveted 100-point score from Robert Parker and the afore-mentioned #1 spot for vineyards to visit before you die.
