Some years before 1950, engineer Alberto ‘Tito’ Zuccardi arrived in Mendoza from Tucumán, the small province in northwest Argentina where his Italian grandparents had settled many years before. He began experimenting with new irrigation systems because, back then as is the case today, water management is key due to its scarcity. In 1963 he planted a vineyard in the Maipú region, aiming to show other neighbouring farmers how his irrigation system worked, not realising at the time that this would be the beginning of his life’s passion.

Today Bodega Zuccardi Valle de Uco is led by Sebastián Zuccardi. Following in the footsteps of his Grandfather, Alberto and his Father, José, Sebastián’s aim is to create wines of great purity, firmly rooted in the terroirs of the Uco Valley, in the shadow of the Andes Mountains. The family makes wines that express their origin, the essence of their soils and the extreme climate conditions of the vineyards in the heart of every glass.

Mendoza is Argentina’s most important and renowned wine region, responsible for around 70% of the country’s wine production. Situated on the eastern side of the Andes, Mendoza benefits from a unique combination of altitude, sunlight, and dry conditions, making it ideal for viticulture.

The region’s high elevation – ranging from 600 to over 1,500 metres above sea level – moderates the hot, sunny climate, allowing grapes to ripen fully while retaining acidity. The Andes play a crucial role, providing irrigation through meltwater and shielding the area from Pacific weather systems. The semi-arid climate offers over 300 days of sunshine per year with minimal rainfall, reducing the risk of disease and allowing for precise vineyard management.

Mendoza is divided into several key sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo, Maipú, and the Uco Valley. Each has distinct terroirs influenced by altitude and soil composition. The Uco Valley, for example, is prized for its cooler climate and limestone-rich soils, producing elegant, high-quality wines.

Malbec is Mendoza’s flagship grape, celebrated for its deep colour, rich fruit, and velvety tannins. Other prominent varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda, Syrah, and increasingly, white grapes such as Chardonnay, Torrontés, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular and versatile white grape varieties, originating from the Burgundy region of France. It is a relatively adaptable vine, thriving in a range of climates and soil types, making it widely planted across the globe. Chardonnay ripens early to mid-season and is known for its ability to express terroir, as well as respond well to a variety of winemaking techniques, including oak ageing and malolactic fermentation.

Today, Chardonnay is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country. In France, it shines in Burgundy’s Chablis (crisp, mineral-driven) and Côte de Beaune (rich, complex), and is also a key component of Champagne. In the New World, regions like California, Australia (Yarra Valley, Margaret River), New Zealand, and Chile produce diverse expressions, ranging from lean and citrusy to full-bodied and buttery.

Cool-climate Chardonnays tend to show green apple, lemon, and flinty notes, while warmer regions yield riper flavours like tropical fruit, peach, and melon. Oak-aged Chardonnays may exhibit vanilla, toast, and nutty characteristics, while unoaked versions highlight freshness and purity of fruit.

This remarkable flexibility makes Chardonnay a favourite among winemakers and wine lovers alike, offering a wide spectrum of styles and flavours.