Argentina’s Terroir Icon: Why Zuccardi Became a Global Benchmark

Zuccardi Winery is located in Valle de Uco, at the frontal range, above the principal range of the Andes Mountains, with vineyards perched at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,500 meters above sea level. This prime location allows the vineyards to benefit from intense sunlight, cool mountain nights, and scarce but vital Andean meltwater. Founded in the 1960s by Alberto Zuccardi and now led by third-generation winemaker Sebastián Zuccardi, the estate has become a global benchmark for Argentina’s next chapter in fine wine—where precision, place, and purity take center stage. Today, Zuccardi is celebrated not only for world-class Malbecs, but also for a terroir-driven approach that has reshaped the way the world views Mendoza.

“We don’t make. We cultivate.”

Soils That Define

The hallmark of Zuccardi wines, however, lies beneath the surface. The valley’s soils are the product of ancient Andean glaciers and rivers, which is really a patchwork of alluvial stones, sand, and calcareous deposits. Many of Zuccardi’s most acclaimed wines are born from vineyards with significant limestone content, which imparts a distinctive tension, minerality, and saline edge. On a recent visit, I was utterly amazed at the huge rocks and glacial deposits everywhere! What’s even more interesting, was the fact that there are well over 12 different types of parcels, as illustrated and expertly explained by Hernan, one of the enologists. Each vineyard parcel is carefully mapped and vinified separately, allowing the unique voice of each soil type to shine. 

A Winery Built of Stone and Vision

Zuccardi’s flagship winery in Paraje Altamira, which opened in 2016, is itself a tribute to the land. Constructed from local stone, sand, and cement, the facility seems carved into the Andes. I could not help but marvel before even taking a step inside at how the concrete is a part of their terroir. The cellar is filled not with rows of barriques, but with concrete fermenters and amphora-like vessels. By favoring concrete, the winery strives for purity, freshness, and an unfiltered voice of the vineyard.

Zuccardi is truly engaged in quality-focused winemaking. Sebastián Zuccardi, has continued to extend his family legacy further, championing terroir expression, research, and cutting-edge winery design.

”We don’t make perfect wines. We make wines that tell a story.” Sebastián Zuccardi

The Wining Hour with Zuccardi Wines

Zuccardi wines are wines that speak of place. They are vibrant, textural, and mineral-driven, each bottle telling the story of Mendoza’s stones, soils, and skies. Their shift from oak-heavy, power-driven styles to wines of finesse, structure, and terroir has helped to redefine Argentina’s global image. While Malbec remains central, Zuccardi is equally committed to exploring other varietals like Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Semillón, and even sparkling wines, broadening Argentina’s international reputation beyond a single grape. Zuccardi’s range stretches from approachable everyday bottles to highly sought-after icons, but all share a common thread—clarity of terroir. 

During our visit, we were able to experience several of their wines:

• Polígonos Semillon is lovely. This beauty comes from a mix of volcanic, granite and calcareous soils.
  
• Concreto Malbec: Fermented and aged entirely in concrete, with no oak, this wine showcases Malbec in its purest form—vibrant fruit, floral lift, and stony minerality.This wine is definitely a benchmark and priced for its precision and mineral character.
  
• Aluvional Malbec: Single-vineyard wine from distinct alluvial soils, bottling a geological and sensory snapshot of the Uco Valley.
  
• Fósil Chardonnay comes from San Pablo, one of Mendoza’s coolest subregions, and  offers razor-sharp acidity, citrus, and chalky minerality. This wine is a Burgundian soul with Andean character.
  
• The Finca wines (we tasted three), sourced from single plots like Piedra Infinita, Las Cerrilladas, and Los Membrillos, clearly demonstrate Zuccardi’s philosophy. 

While we tasted a nice selection of wines, wine is only part of the story. Zuccardi Estate’s Michelin Guide restaurant, Piedra Infinita Cocina, is a destination in itself, pairing Andean ingredients with the family’s wines. Of course, we just had to indulge in more wine and dine on the Argentine specialties! I enjoyed one of the best Argentine steaks at Piedra Infinita. 

Zuccardi Wines are truly raising the bar for Argentina.  By focusing on site expression and sustainability, they are proving that Mendoza can compete with the world’s most prestigious wine regions. In fact, Wine Enthusiast named Zuccardi Valle de Uco “World’s Best Vineyard” three years in a row—a testament to its vision and impact. Moreover, it is beyond evident that at Zuccardi, the Andes are not just a backdrop and the soils amount to more than just the  topography. Instead, the Andes Mountains and the soils are the very heart and soul of the wines.