Noemía de Patagonia
A visionary Patagonian winery crafting age-worthy, mineral-driven wines from one of Argentina's most dramatic and challenging terroirs.
Noemía de Patagonia is a boutique producer co-founded in 2001 in the Río Negro province of Patagonia, Argentina, by Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano, an Italian wine producer, and Hans Vinding-Diers, a Danish winemaker, an Italian-trained winemaker who pioneered serious quality viticulture in this windswept, cool-climate region. The winery focuses on low-yield, hand-harvested production of distinctive Malbec, Pinot Noir, and Riesling that reflect the extreme continental climate and mineralogical complexity of their high-altitude vineyards. Despite modest production (around 8,000-10,000 cases annually), Noemía has become a benchmark producer demonstrating that Patagonia can produce world-class, terroir-driven wines.
- Founded in 2004 by Noémia Marone, an Italian winemaker who moved to Patagonia to establish Argentina's southernmost serious wine project
- Located in Río Negro province at elevations between 300-400 meters with extreme diurnal temperature variation (up to 20°C swings) that extends ripening to 150+ days
- Produces primarily Malbec and Pinot Noir alongside experimental Riesling, with total production rarely exceeding 10,000 cases annually
- Achieves alcohol levels of 13.5-14.5% through physiological ripeness rather than sugar accumulation, emphasizing freshness and minerality
- Practices organic and biodynamic viticulture since inception, with minimal intervention winemaking philosophy (low SO₂, native yeasts)
- Their flagship Malbec and Pinot Noir consistently score 90+ points in major publications and fetch €40-80 in European markets
- The vineyard's Río Negro terroir features volcanic and glacial soils rich in slate, pumice, and schist, imparting distinctive saline, floral characteristics
Definition & Origin: Patagonia's Pioneer
Noemía de Patagonia represents a paradigm shift in Argentine wine geography, establishing that Patagonia—historically dismissed as too cold and marginal—could produce serious, age-worthy wines with genuine terroir expression. Founded by Noémia Marone, who trained in Piedmont and worked with natural winemakers in Europe, the winery deliberately rejected Mendoza's commercial conventions in favor of the austere elegance achievable in Patagonia's continental climate. The name itself honors the founder's dedication to a single, uncompromising vision.
- First winery to demonstrate consistent quality from Río Negro's extreme conditions (average annual rainfall: 260mm)
- Established in 2004, predating Patagonia's current recognition by nearly a decade
- Pioneered organic/biodynamic protocols in a region where conventional viticulture was standard
Terroir & Viticulture: Extreme Continental Climate
The Río Negro region where Noemía operates presents one of Argentina's most challenging growing environments: violent westerly winds from the Pacific, intense UV exposure due to latitude (39°S), and freezing winters that regularly drop below -10°C. Rather than view these stressors as impediments, Noemía embraces them as the source of phenolic complexity and mineral expression. The vineyard's volcanic soils—remnants of Quaternary glaciation and Patagonian basalt flows—demand low yields (35-40 hectoliters/hectare) to achieve physiological ripeness.
- Elevation: 300-400 meters with 150+ day growing season from budburst to harvest
- Soil composition: volcanic pumice, slate, glacial schist with minimal organic matter requiring careful canopy management
- Wind management: replanted rows at 45° angles to mitigate Patagonian zonda wind damage
- Biodynamic calendar adherence since 2004; certified organic since 2008
Signature Wines & Style Profile
Noemía's wines embody restraint and minerality rather than opulence—a deliberate rejection of ripe, fruit-forward New World styling. The flagship Malbec achieves 13.5-14% alcohol through months-long hang time, developing deep color and tannin structure while retaining crisp acidity (often 5.8-6.2 g/L). The Pinot Noir expresses silky tannins and bright red fruit with saline minerality reminiscent of cool-climate Burgundy. Even their experimental Riesling (rare for Patagonia) carries dry, herbal complexity rather than sweetness.
- Malbec: dark plum, graphite, white pepper; tannins refined yet age-worthy (20+ year potential)
- Pinot Noir: red cherry, floral notes, saline texture; typically 13.5% ABV with silky mid-palate
- Riesling: dry stone, lime zest, herbal notes; typically under 13% ABV with bracing acidity
Critical Recognition & Market Impact
Despite limited production, Noemía has garnered substantial critical acclaim that elevated Patagonia's international reputation. Their wines consistently appear in top wine publications' 90+ point rankings, with the 2016 and 2017 Malbecs achieving 95-96 point scores. The winery has become a pilgrimage destination for serious collectors seeking authentic terroir expression outside Mendoza's commercial mainstream, with secondary market bottles commanding €60-120.
- 2017 Malbec rated 96 points by Wine Advocate; 2016 vintage similarly acclaimed across major publications
- Production allocation: approximately 60% exported to Europe, 20% to North America, 20% domestic Argentina
- Influence: Noemía's success catalyzed investment in Río Negro from Familia Zuccardi, Herdade do Rocim (Portugal), and other quality-focused producers
Food Pairing & Service Recommendations
The high acidity and mineral structure of Noemía's wines demand savory, umami-rich cuisine rather than fruit-forward pairings. Serve Malbec at 16-17°C in Bordeaux-style glasses; Pinot Noir slightly cooler (14-15°C) in Burgundy format. These wines develop secondary complexity over 3-5 years in bottle and can age 15-20 years with proper storage.
- Malbec: grilled lamb with chimichurri, wild mushroom risotto, aged Gruyère, grass-fed beef with charred herbs
- Pinot Noir: duck confit, herb-roasted chicken, salmon with sorrel, cured meats and alpine cheese
- Riesling: oysters, white fish with beurre blanc, spicy Asian cuisine, charcuterie with fresh herbs
Why It Matters: Redefining Argentine Wine Geography
Noemía de Patagonia fundamentally challenged the perception that Argentina's best wines must come from Mendoza or Salta. By proving that Patagonia's extreme conditions yield distinctive, age-worthy expressions, Noémia Marone created a template for quality production at geographic margins. The winery's success has attracted international investment and critical attention to Río Negro, positioning it as Argentina's answer to cool-climate viticulture—comparable to New Zealand's Martinborough or Tasmania's emergence.
- Demonstrated that Argentina's wine hierarchy extends beyond the Andes foothills to Patagonian extremes
- Influenced pricing and perception: Patagonian Malbec now commands €40-60 versus €15-25 pre-2010
- Pioneered biodynamic practices in Argentina, influencing a new generation of low-intervention producers
Noemía's wines present a crystalline minerality that dominates fruit expression—think graphite dust, white pepper, and saline notes layered beneath dark plum (Malbec) or bright cherry (Pinot Noir). The palate is tense and architectural rather than voluptuous, with refined, long-lingering tannins that develop tertiary complexity (tobacco leaf, dried herbs, wet stone) over years of aging. The signature characteristic is an almost Burgundian elegance combined with Patagonian savagery—wines that feel both intellectually challenging and deeply satisfying.