Algodon Wine Estates Black “Diamond” Truffle Update! - The Algodon
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The Algodon

Algodon Wine Estates Black “Diamond” Truffle Update!

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Algodon Wine Estates will be the first wine estate to cultivate truffles in Argentina.  This highly specialized industry caters to an exclusively niche market, and will undoubtedly add even more value to our extraordinary and unique development.

In mid July, experienced consultants from Trufas del Sur, an Argentine truffle farming development group, visited Algodon Wine Estates to assess our potential for the successful cultivation of truffles.  It was determined that our exceptional location in the Cuadro Benegas district of San Rafael will serve as a great advantage to our success in truffle agriculture.  Cuadro Benegas is situated between the Diamante River to the north and the Atuel River to the south, and both are fed by the purist glacial runoff from the snowcapped Andes Mountains.  The district's location between the two rivers has had a remarkable affect on the soil conditions in the area in the form of mineral-rich benefits and nourishing qualities that lead to healthy and prosperous root development.  It was also determined that the region's climate and temperature is ideal for this undertaking.  In fact several fincas located in Talca, Chile, which fall along the same latitude and enjoy analogous climate and temperature to our own region, have achieved great success in their truffle businesses and exports. 

Approximately 75 acres (30 ha) of land within our estate is suitable for the specific requirements of truffle cultivation; however we will most likely begin our production utilizing only half of this area, with the option of expanding in the future.  The two potential areas within the estate that make up the suitable land can be found in the Wine & Golf Village and the Polo & Equestrian Village.  Vineyard estate homesite owners may potentially have the option of cultivating truffles on their own estates in the future, or collectively owning communal acres of cultivatable truffle areas; similar to our communal vineyard program. 

Algodon Wine Estates plans to research and further explore our options over the next several months with the goal of planting our first French Oak (the essential symbiotic root base for truffles) in 2010.  It is expected that the first harvest of truffles will be cultivated after an incubation period of five years, and that we will be in full production by our seventh year after which we will begin marketing and exporting.  Trained truffle dogs will be provided by Trufas del Sur, and will reside at the estate year-round. 

The marketing potential for South American truffles is advantageous because Argentine may dominate the European market for six months of the year (our Jun-Sept winter harvest).  Argentina's counter season climate to European truffle producers allows us to sell a fresher product than the northern hemisphere which is not in production at that time.  Two varieties of black truffles are compatible with our soil and geography, however only the winter harvesting Tuber melanosporum (Black Perigord Truffle; aka the "black diamond" of truffles) will be cultivated, as it is considered to be the more valuable of the two.  Moreover, Algodon Wine Estates has the option to cultivate a summer harvesting second variety of black truffle, which would guarantee a year-round harvest.

Algodon Wine Estates has the land, the farmers, the expertise, and the determination to cultivate black "diamond" truffles, and we very much look forward to serving them at our award-winning restaurant as well as at the restaurant of Algodon Mansion.  We believe that the demand for this high-end cultivated commodity may prove to be very lucrative.  The potential added value to our already diverse property is very exciting on a number of levels; not the least of which is our growing status as one of the most important wine tourism and gastronomical destinations on the Argentine wine route.

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