For April’s Explorer Wine Club, we bring you three wines from Argentina! Argentina is a leading wine producer in South America, known for its high-altitude vineyards and bold, expressive wines (especially Malbec). With diverse terroirs ranging from the Andes foothills to Patagonia, the country combines Old World traditions with New World innovation. This month’s box showcases Argentina’s wine diversity with a bright Torrontes, a natural Cabernet Franc, and a classic Argentine Malbec.
El Porvenir de Cafayate Amauta Torrontés 2024
This is a beautiful white wine made with 100% hand-harvested Torrontés. It is fresh and fruity on the nose, with tropical notes, floral touches, and a fresh citrus background. The palate is young and vibrant with balanced structure and refreshing acidity. Pair with Thai green curry.
The Producer: El Porvenir de Cafayate
Bodegas El Porvenir de Cafayate is a family-run winery located in the Salta region of Argentina. They are part of a generation of wineries that came about at the end of the 20th century with the transformation of the Argentine wine industry, the reconversion of the Salta wine industry, and the expansion of Cafayate wines. Under the leadership of LucÃa Romero Marcuzzi (third generation in the industry) they are rewriting the legend of Cafayate. In addition to the winery, the estate features a hotel and restaurant where guests can stay in the original bodega mansion or small studios overlooking the vineyards.
The Region: Cafayate (Salta)
The small wine region of Cafayate is located 100 miles south of Salta city, in the north of Argentina. Known for its stunning red rock formations, this small and isolated elevated valley was home to the pre-Hispanic Diaguita-Calchaquà indigenous people. Located between 1,750 and 2,500 meters above sea level, it is one of the highest wine growing regions in the world.
The Grape: Torrontés
Torrontés is a white wine grape that thrives in dry climates and high elevations. There is debate as to its origins, whether it was brought from Spain or native to Argentina. It produces light and floral wines and is quickly becoming Argentina’s signature white wine grape.
This delightful red wine is made with 100% Cabernet Franc. Bursting with fresh raspberry, violet, and herbal notes, it offers a lively acidity and elegant structure. Minimal intervention enhances its natural character; the wine is made using natural yeasts and is lightly filtered. Pair with grilled lamb chops with rosemary and garlic.
The Producer: Passionate Wines
Passionate Wines is the brainchild of MatÃas Michelini, who strives to make experimental wines that express terroir. His wines are low production and are drawn from multiple inspirations, regions, and styles. The Via Revolucionaria wines are single vineyard, unconventional wines, fermented with native yeast. The Montesco wines are small production wines that focus on place and varietals. MatÃas continues to experiment with other cuvees with the mantra of producing either atypical varietals or classic varietals in non-traditional methods.
The Region: San Pablo (Tunuyan, Uco Valley)
San Pablo is an Argentine wine region, located in the northwest corner of the Tunuyan department of the greater Uco Valley. Approved in 2019, it is one of the youngest Geographical Indications in the country. Vineyards are found primarily between the Villegas creek and the Las Tunas river, covering approximately 500 hectares. In comparison to the rest of Mendoza, the rainfall here is plentiful with an average of 24 inches per year. Stone based soils combined with the altitude and ample rainfall create a long growing season in this cool-climate area of viticulture.
This is a wonderful Argentine Malbec (with just a hint of Cabernet Franc). On the nose are notes of plum, cassis, cocoa nibs, and crushed dried leaves. On the palate the wine comes through with black currant and a strong tannin core. Pair with eggplant parmigiana.
The Producer: Michelini i Mufatto
Michelini i Mufatto is an innovative, family-run winery located in Mendoza, Argentina, known for crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines. Founded by renowned winemakers Andrea Mufatto and Gerardo Michelini, the winery emphasizes sustainable viticulture, minimal intervention, and authentic expression of vineyard sites. Their wines showcase remarkable purity, freshness, and elegance, reflecting a profound respect for tradition combined with modern techniques. With a focus on organic and biodynamic practices, Michelini i Mufatto has earned a reputation as one of Argentina’s most exciting boutique producers, consistently delivering wines of distinction and character.
The Region: Gualtallary (Tupungato, Uco Valley)
This high-altitude wine region is situated in the northern portion of the Uco Valley. Wines from Gultallary are distinctive in part due to the area’s poor stony and alluvial soils that are interlaced with layers of sand and limestone. This diverse combination creates free-draining soils that, due to the limited water availability, stress the vines and thus yield very concentrated wines. The presence of limestone also gives Gualtallary’s wines a minerality that sets them apart from the other regional wines of Mendoza.
