Argentina’s Ruta del Vino (Wine Route) and How It All Began… - The Algodon
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The Algodon

Argentina’s Ruta del Vino (Wine Route) and How It All Began…

Argentina's Wine Trail & Algodon Wine Estates

Numerous wineries on Argentina's wine trail, a journey along the Andes, have opened tourist accommodations and restaurants, several of which include special wine courses.  The Ruta del Vino can be divided into four regions; the Uco Valley, the Midwest, the East (or Central Valley), and the South were you will find our Algodon Wine Estates in San Rafael, Mendoza.  According to a study from Bodegas of Argentina, a total of 1,004,810 tourists travelled along the wine trail in 2006.  Tours often consist of visits to the estate's vineyards, accompanied by a tasting.  In some cases, travelers may learn firsthand about the elaboration process and the manual labor involved in producing hand-crafted wine. 

The South is known for its incredible make up of, among other things, wonderful ski resorts and water activities.  Las Leñas, one of South America's greatest ski resorts, is just a short journey from our estate and offers winter sport activities and ski runs with over 25 mile extensions.  Two of Argentina's most exciting natural attractions, the Rio Atuel and Rio Diamante, are also nearby and host a myriad of popular tourist activities including white water rafting, canoeing, camping, horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, recreational fishing and more. And Valle Grande, Argentina's miniature answer to The Grand Canyon, is conveniently located only 20 miles away.  Just a ten minute drive from a major airport, Algodon Wine Estates has found the perfect home here on the Ruta del Vino, in the unspoiled beauty of San Rafael's charmingly rustic surroundings.

Origins of Argentine Wine

Argentinean wine production dates back to the 16th century when Spanish colonists and missionaries brought the first vine cuttings to vineyards in-and-around Santiago del Estero, Argentina's oldest city, to insure a steady supply of wine for church mass.  Because of the optimal ecological conditions of the county's soil and climate, the vines flourished; yet for many years wine was made using antiquated production techniques.  The inclination of growth for consumption was essentially based on volume and not quality, so there was little significance placed on the art of planting vine varieties best suited to each location and its ecosystem.

It wasn't until the 19th century however, when European immigrants settled en masse, that wine production assumed a more polished nature.  These Italian, French, Spanish and German settlers molded Argentina into a nation of refined culture who appreciates a high standard of living and sophisticated tastes.  This resonates today in their passion for art, sports, leisurely pastimes, style of dress, and fine food and wine.  And though deeply rooted in European tradition, Argentina's wine producing culture has always maintained its own unique personality. 

As the world's familiarly with Argentine wines grows, so too does international demand for it.  In the 1990's Argentina's vineyards and wine production was transformed when international companies had the foresight to recognize the value and untapped resource of Argentina's wine producing potential.  By investing heavily in the industry and bringing technological advancements in agriculture, the wine regions of Argentina have undergone a radical transformation and now rival the production quality of European wine-producing countries.  Argentina is now the largest producer of wine in South America and the fifth largest in the world. 

Argentina's wine regions spread from the foothills of the Andes Mountains and support thousands of vineyards.  As one of the world's largest ecological reserves, the principle reasons for Argentina's agricultural prosperity are evident; the richness of its soil, its ideal climate, superior altitude variables, and the overall purity of its ecology.  Simply put, Argentina is the ideal environment for grape growing.