Zuccardi Serie A: Valle de Uco Malbec from Familia Zuccardi

Familia Zuccardi was founded in 1963 when Engineer Alberto 'Tito' Zuccardi planted the family's first vineyard in Maipú, Mendoza, to demonstrate a new irrigation system of his own design. His quest to showcase the advantages of drip irrigation led him to discover a passion for viticulture that would define three generations. In 1985, his son José Alberto assumed responsibility for leading the family business, expanding the winery internationally and making Zuccardi a benchmark for Argentine wine quality. In 1999, Sebastián, José Alberto's son and Tito's grandson, initiated a sparkling wine project with friends that became Alma 4, before joining the family winery and leading expansion into the Uco Valley from 2005. Today Sebastián leads winemaking and viticulture, while his siblings Julia and Miguel direct wine tourism and olive oil operations respectively.

• Founded 1963 by Engineer Alberto 'Tito' Zuccardi in Maipú, Mendoza, to prove a new irrigation system
• José Alberto Zuccardi assumed family leadership in 1985, expanding to international markets
• Sebastián (third generation) began leading Uco Valley development in 2005; R&D department founded 2009
• Uco Valley winery construction started 2013, opened March 2016 in Paraje Altamira

Situated along the Tunuyán River in the southwest of Mendoza province, the Uco Valley is widely considered one of Argentina's top wine regions. Altitudes range from 900 to 1,200 metres above sea level, with an annual average temperature of 14 degrees Celsius. The valley's continental climate is characterised by very low annual rainfall (less than 220mm), intense sunshine, and a wide diurnal temperature swing that preserves natural acidity in the grapes. Zuccardi's Uco Valley vineyards are planted in a high-altitude mountain desert, in alluvial soils composed of large granite stones and limestone-rich material deposited by the Andes over millennia. These free-draining soils stress the vines naturally, reducing vigour and yields while intensifying flavor. The Paraje Altamira sub-zone, where Zuccardi's flagship vineyards including Finca Piedra Infinita and Finca Canal Uco are located, is characterised by calcareous alluvial soils and was declared Argentina's first terroir-based Geographic Indication in 2013.

• Altitude: 900-1,200 metres above sea level; annual average temperature 14 degrees Celsius
• Continental climate: less than 220mm annual rainfall; wide diurnal variation preserves acidity
• Alluvial soils with large granite stones and calcium carbonate deposits throughout Paraje Altamira
• Paraje Altamira (San Carlos): Argentina's first terroir-based GI, declared 2013

Serie A takes its name from the Argentina Series concept: selecting the most representative grape varieties and showcasing them from their best-performing regions and vineyard sites along the Andes foothills. The wine is 100% Malbec, sourced from estate vineyards across the Uco Valley at approximately 1,100 metres altitude. After manual harvest, grapes are destemmed and subjected to cold maceration for 5 to 7 days before classic vinification with native yeasts. Fermentation occurs in concrete vessels at 25 to 27 degrees Celsius, followed by maceration of approximately 20 days with periodic pump-overs. A portion of the wine is then aged in French oak barrels. The result is a style driven by varietal freshness, red and dark fruit character, and fine-grained tannins rather than extraction or heavy oak influence. Alcohol is typically 14%, with residual sugar around 2 g/L.

• 100% Malbec from estate vineyards in the Uco Valley at approximately 1,100m altitude
• Native yeast fermentation in concrete vessels at 25-27 degrees C; 5-7 day cold maceration pre-fermentation
• Approximately 20 days total maceration with pump-overs; portion aged in French oak barrels
• 14% ABV; approximately 2 g/L residual sugar; classified as Indicación Geográfica (IG) Valle de Uco

Three generations of the Zuccardi family shape every bottle. Patriarch José Alberto Zuccardi, who assumed leadership in 1985, remains a driving force and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Wine Challenge and the Winemaking Legend award by Tim Atkin MW. His son Sebastián, trained as an Agronomist, leads the Winemaking and Viticulture teams and spearheaded the construction of the Zuccardi Valle de Uco winery, inaugurated in Paraje Altamira in 2016. Laura Principiano, who holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the National University of Cuyo, leads the Winemaking department alongside the Research and Development department, overseeing a team of young winemakers and agronomists dedicated to studying the Uco Valley's diverse terroirs. Viticulturist Martín di Stefano oversees vineyard development and has pioneered a contemplative approach to canopy and soil management.

• José Alberto Zuccardi: led family from 1985; awarded Winemaking Legend by Tim Atkin MW and Lifetime Achievement Award by the IWC
• Sebastián Zuccardi (third generation, Agronomist): leads winemaking and viticulture; spearheaded 2016 winery construction
• Laura Principiano (Agricultural Engineer, National University of Cuyo): directs winemaking and R&D departments
• Viticulturist Martín di Stefano: heads vineyard development across Uco Valley sites

The Zuccardi family's approach to sustainability encompasses both the environment and their community. The 2016 Paraje Altamira winery was constructed as a tribute to the Andes Mountains, built entirely from natural local materials: stones from the Finca Piedra Infinita vineyard, and water and sand from the nearby Tunuyán River. Concrete vessels, which provide natural thermal stability and gravity-driven movement of wine, minimise energy consumption throughout the winemaking process. Natural light filters through large slatted windows to further reduce electricity use. Sustainable viticulture practices include organic farming on portions of the estate, composting, efficient drip irrigation, solar energy use, and comprehensive waste recycling. Through the Familia Zuccardi Foundation, the winery invests in long-term community projects promoting education, inclusion, and well-being in the communities surrounding their vineyards.

• 2016 winery built from local natural materials: stones from Piedra Infinita vineyard, water and sand from the Tunuyán River
• All wines fermented in concrete vessels for natural thermal stability and gravity-flow winemaking
• Sustainable practices: organic farming on select plots, composting, drip irrigation, solar energy, recycling
• Familia Zuccardi Foundation invests in community education, inclusion, and social projects

Zuccardi Valle de Uco has accumulated an exceptional roster of international accolades. The estate was named World's Best Vineyard in 2019, 2020, and 2021, the first winery to win the title three times, earning entry into the World's Best Vineyards Hall of Fame in 2022. Wine Enthusiast named Zuccardi Valle de Uco New World Winery of the Year in 2022. Also in 2022, the winery became the only producer in Argentina to hold three wines awarded 100 points by Robert Parker Wine Advocate simultaneously, placing Paraje Altamira on the world stage. The Serie A Malbec itself has earned scores of 90 to 92 points from Robert Parker Wine Advocate and James Suckling across multiple recent vintages, including 92 points (Wine Advocate) for the 2022 vintage and 92 points (James Suckling) for the 2021 vintage.

• World's Best Vineyard 2019, 2020, 2021; inducted into Hall of Fame 2022
• Wine Enthusiast New World Winery of the Year, 2022
• Only Argentine winery with three simultaneous 100-point wines (Robert Parker Wine Advocate, 2022)
• Serie A Malbec: 92 pts Wine Advocate (2022), 92 pts James Suckling (2021 and 2024 vintages)