Place: The Air, Water, and Soil That Define Us
Our grapes are cultivated with Arid–Clean Air, Crystal–Clear Water, and Nutrient–Rich Soil. We know this because we have a long-standing, direct, and personal relationship with each and every location where our grapes are grown.
Our Growing Regions
According to winemaker, Valeria Antolin, it's impossible to make world-class wine unless you start with world-class grapes. “The best technique in the world won't make up for an environment not perfectly suited to a given varietal [variety of grape],” she says. That's why Piattelli has been so careful to choose ideal locations to establish its vineyards. Currently Piattelli grows its grapes in three areas within two regions:
Located directly east of the Argentine/Chilean range of the Andes and thus sheltered from the salty Pacific Ocean, the climate-type of our growing regions is unique for several reasons:1
Arid–Clean Air
The atmosphere in western Argentina is a great advantage. Its high, low-precipitation altitudes create a dry climate perfect for grape growth.
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The warm days and cool nights put a lot of stress on the grapes, which stimulates strong sugar production.2 What's more, our vineyards are far enough away from densely populated areas that they're minimally affected by drifting pollutants.3
LessCrystal–Clear Water
Water for our vineyards comes from wells and, because we're directly adjacent to the mountains, from the Andes snow-melt that flows in Agrelo's Mendoza River.
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The water reaches our vineyards via irrigation and is distributed to the roots of our vines in as pure a form as when it came out of the pristine Argentine skies4. Rather than being a less advantageous alternative to rain water, the use of irrigation is actually more advantageous because of the control viticulture managers have over the volume, distribution, and frequency of watering. This advantage is multiplied by the natural, mineral-infused qualities of our wells and mountain water.5
LessNutrient–Rich Soil
The soils of Mendoza and Salta have a minimum of organic matter, which provide the perfect loamy and alluvial compositions for grape vines to root.
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The alluvial soils of Mendoza as well as the sand and rock soils of Salta provide superb composition to help their varietals grow tall, well-balanced vines with exceptional sugar production. Here are some other advantages that our soils have over those from other growing regions:6
- Mendoza and Salta are free from other industries that typically put strain on the soil such as industrial complexes.
- A low rural population near our vineyards also minimizes strain on the soil.
- With much less organic matter than in less arid environments, our soils are much freer of insects and plant diseases which afflict many growing regions.
- Because the Andes block the salt air from the Pacific, Piattelli's Vineyards are much freer from the unfavorable impacts that salt can have on a wine's character and flavor.
