Cheval des Andes Winery

When the best of two worlds come together to create an outstanding wine, the label could read "Cheval des Andes". This refers to the joint venture founded in 1999 between Château Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de Los Andes from the Mendoza region in Argentina.

Following the original Malbec vines to Argentina was the motivation of Cheval des Andes founder Pierre Lurton. Malbec used to be widely cultivated in Bordeaux and was brought to Argentina in the middle of the 19th century - decades before the grape was decimated by a phylloxera epidemic in France. When Pierre Lurton discovered the Malbec vineyard Las Compuertas, which was planted in Mendoza in 1929, he declared: "This will be a journey to the roots of Bordeaux."

In addition to Las Compuertas, the 50 hectares of vineyards also include vineyards further south, in the Valle de Uco. Sand, limestone and clay in varying proportions as well as different microclimates provide the best conditions for Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The plots were precisely parcelled out on the basis of soil analyses. Planting, care, harvesting and vinification are carried out separately for each parcel in order to get the best out of the terroir. Only at the end are the wines blended, primarily from Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Some vintages are also blended with a little Petit Verdot. The wines then mature for 16 to 18 months in new and used Bordeaux barrels made from French and Austrian oak.

© Photos: Cheval des Andes