Bodega Andeluna: you can't drink just one...

Bodega Andeluna

Winery Andeluna sits on an incredible property in the Uco Valley. Its building is impressive and well done (though possibly bordering on trying too hard to seem Old World), with high ceilings and intimate spaces, including a great kitchen and dining room for groups that stay for lunch. The first thing you notice when walking in is a long bar, complete with a four glass place-setting, getting visitors excited for the tasting (degustación).

Andeluna's story

Like many other wineries in Argentina, Andeluna is a newcomer with its first production in 2003. The project began as a partnership between Don Ricardo Reyes and Ward Lay...you know, the potato chip guy. Mr. Lay ended up buying Don Ricardo Reyes out, and is now the main owner of the winery.

Vineyard facts

The part of the tour in the vineyard was great. We learned:

• Cabernet and Merlot grape leaves have 5 “lobes” while Malbec has 3
• Cabernet bunches of grapes are long with small intense grapes
• Merlot grapes are shorter, wider and more compact than Cabernet, but also have small grapes that are generally sweeter and smoother
• Malbec grapes are generally bigger than Merlot and Cabernet
• Extra rain often provides a “second flower” of grapes that arrive close to the harvest but are too late to make good grapes. Wineries often do a second “green harvest” with the second flower so the plants don't expend too much of their extra energy on these grapes.
• Green harvested grapes are often left in the soil to provide extra organic fertilizer.
• Wineries often prune the vines so there are two main branches or arms and Andeluna keeps 5 “buds” with two branches each. Wineries usually limit the density of grapes in order for each plant to use its energy to provide the best possible grapes.

Andeluna wines

Andeluna's wines include their Winemaker's Selection, Reserve, Limited Reserve and Grand Reserve. Of the Winemaker and Reserve collection, both of the Chardonnays are some of the best we've tasted in Mendoza. The Winemaker Chardonnay was a bit lighter and fruitier, while the Reserve had more of an oak influence.

Favorites: Winemaker's Collection 2006 Malbec, 2004 Reserve Chardonnay.