Patagonia: Land of Extremes @ Solano Cellars Friday, August 30th

In Argentina's Alto Valle of Río Negro, there is a history of forgotten grape varieties, old vineyards that still withstand the passage of time, treasures that Riccitelli's project in Patagonia aims to rediscover and appreciate. Winemaking in this southern end of Argentina dates back to the late 19th century and the development of a complex system of irrigation channels that made use of the snowmelt that feeds into the river from the mountain ranges that tower over the valley. On paper, the Alto Valle is ideally situated for the cultivation of cool-climate wines - steady infusion of mineral rich water flowing into the vineyards, extreme diurnal shifts that allow for slow, even ripening, and well-draining rocky soils that ensure that these vines retain enough heat to develop sugars despite the extreme cold temperatures that the region experiences. But there's one tricky detail: you need people to farm a vineyard, and Patagonia's rugged geography is incredibly difficult to navigate. As a result, the Alto Valle remains to this day somewhat sparsely planted, the land preserved from the dangers of mass cultivation that have threatened other wine regions. And the intrepid few who are willing to take on the challenges of farming this region - like Matias - are reaping the benefits of these pristine old vineyard sites, making wine that can only exist as a result of this striking microclimate and extreme conditions.

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The vineyard that sparked in Matias his devotion to Patagonia's extreme landscape was planted in the 1950s, on “the big island,” a river island with a unique microclimate that is markedly cooler than any other region in Argentina. Here, Matias sources Pinot Noir, Bastardo (Trousseau, originally from the Jura in France), and Argentina's native white variety, the broadly textured Torrontes. And because he never met a challenge he won't take on, Matias has also planted vines - Malbec, Torrontes, and Sauvignon Blanc - in the Uco Valley’s most extreme subregion, La Carrera, at over 6,000 ft in elevation. On Friday, we'll have our friend and SC alum Julie Karp from Skurnik Wines behind the bar to pour wines from both of Matias' striking vineyard sites. We'll also have wines from Bodegas Chacra, another icon in Patagonia, available to add on to your flight for a broad scope of what Patagonia has to offer.