The Vineyards

High in the Andes mountain range Mount Aconcagua, which stands at over 6900 meters (22,000 ft), overlooks a vast, green oasis of vineyards called Mendoza. The region’s semi-desert climate, which produces large temperature differentials – a very hot daytime and very cool nights – and abundant run off water from the snow-capped Andes, makes it particularly suited for the cultivation of high quality grapes.

Finca Altos Las Hormigas is situated in Luján de Cuyo about 800 meters (2600 ft.) above sea level, facing the Andes to the east, protected westward by a minor geological fold. The Estate is 206 hectares (530 acres), of which 40 hectares (100 acres) are planted with Malbec and 5.6 hectares (15 acres) with Bonarda. At the heart of the property stands the 2,000 square meter cellar, which is designed to have minimal impact on the land, but to achieve the best technical conditions in winemaking.

Jardin Altamira is our new vineyard in the Uco Valley. We acquired 55 Ha (136 acres) in 2011 and planted 32 Ha in 2017. The vineyard was conceived with a groundbreaking concept of biodiversity in mind, developed to highlight Terroir in its purest form. Organized in small plots by Terroir units: 22 plots for 32 Ha, it was farmed organic from the start. All the plots are interspersed with native flora, to break the monoculture and invite all wild species to populate the area. Jardin Altamira is a truly one-of-a-kind vineyard, the next revolution introduced by Altos Las Hormigas to argentine winemaking and viticulture.

Click to view and learn more about the vineyards from which our grapes are sourced:

Primera Zona

The areas of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipú, are generally regarded as the original sites where Mendoza viticulture first developed in past centuries. For this reason, the area is called “Primera Zona” (First Land). In this area, ALH has his original vineyards, and all of the Malbec Clasico grapes are sourced here. We can say that Primera Zona represents the legacy of Malbec tradition.

Uco Valley

This valley, located at about 80 miles from the city, during the last decade has grown into the main drive of attention in the Mendoza wine industry. While we cannot discard that global warming has played a role in pushing people to plant higher and higher, Valle de Uco mountain influenced climate seems to give Malbec more balance, through higher natural acidity, among other factors, allowing a more direct expression of Terroir character.

Paraje Altamira

Among the limestone areas so far identified by our team, Paraje Altamira is the one giving the most elegant and textured wines. Paraje Altamira Malbec, if properly respected in winemaking, proves that Mendoza wines do not need to rely on muscles in order to express themselves with persistence and longevity.

 

Jardin Altamira

The vineyard was planted on virgin soil, in a selected area within Paraje Altamira appellation, where super calcareous, stony plots with 7% to 10% active limestone were found by our Terroir specialists. The plot design mirrors the different soil units (Pedro Parra’s classification method was applied in order to divide and better understand these micro-terroirs) and only 60% of the land carries vines.

Gualtallary

Power, elegance, and finesse seem to unexpectedly find harmony in this extreme appellation, while a kaleidoscope of flavours emerge from its super deeply coloured wines. Its diverse type of limestone, and an altitude that pushes Malbec to the limit give what is arguably the most intriguing version of Mendoza most loved red grape.