Basically, the Argentinian winery Chacra has its roots in New York. It was there that Piero Incisa della Rocchetta, grandson of the Sassicaia founder, discovered a Pinot Noir at a wine tasting that drew his attention to the Río Negro region of Patagonia and quickly sparked a new passion.
in 2003, della Rocchetta sought out and found "a unique terroir" in Mainqué - "with vines that are true to their roots, dating back to 1932, with grapes of immense quality, vibrant luminosity, pure water, strong winds." Burgundian Chardonnay specialist Jean-Marc Rulot has been a friend and partner ever since.
Classic desert conditions prevail on the Río Negro. Warm days and cold nights extend the growing season. The combination of strong winds, constant sun, little rainfall and alluvial soils tends to produce smaller grapes with higher concentrations of sugar and natural acidity.
Vinification begins with careful tending of the vineyards. "We see Chacra wines as an expression of our true respect for the ecosystem. We preserve old vines that are true to their roots, invest in beekeeping and farm organically and biodynamically." The goal is authentic, terroir-driven wines - "transparent, pure, delicate and floral with a strong minerality."
The harvest usually starts at the end of February and beginning of March. A second careful selection takes place at the winery. For maximum skin contact, maceration takes place in extra shallow and wide containers. Small cement barrels are used for fermentation. The wines mature unfiltered in French oak. Only gravity has a "cleansing" effect.
© Images: CHACRA
