Winery: CLOS DE CHACRAS

Welcome to Clos de Chacras We are a Boutique Winery located in Chacras de Coria in the Province of Mendoza. Constructed in 1921, the winery has been restored respecting its original style. However the wine making infrastructure has been endowed with the highest technology to ensure the production of premium wines. We have much confidence in our products. Our wines have been tasted numerous times by both foreign and argentine experts and have been praised for their quality and style. Currently the majority of our products are sold internationally to esteemed businesses. We hope to receive your comments...and if visiting Mendoza, with pleasure we welcome you to our winery. Warm regards, WHO WE ARE Our history begins in the year 1883 when Bautista Gerónimo Gargantini, originating from Cantón Suizo of Ticino, arrived in Argentina. After gaining success with various trades, he raised a small amount of capital, and on the weekends traveled through Valle de Uco with a horse wagon purchasing livestock. During the week he would then sell the meat at his stand in ‘El Mercado Central’ (The Central Market). Later once increased his capital, he joined with another immigrant of the Italian-Swiss community, Juan Giol, and shared the secret of ‘how to make wine’. Together they formed ‘La Colina De Oro’ (The Hill of Gold, now Bodega Giol), in honor of his place of origin. In 1899 they began to produce small quantities of wine with the brand name ‘Cabeza de Toro’ (Bull’s Head). By 1911 they were amongst the top producers of wine worldwide. They were even fortunate enough to host a banquet in honor of President Figueroa Alcorta in the winery. They were hosts in a banquet in the honor of the President Figueroa Alcorta in his(her,your) warehouse In 1909, at 50 years of age, Bautista Gerónimo decided to return to his native land. He sold his portion of the winery and bought property in Rivadavia (Mendoza province). There he entrusted his son to establish the winery called BODEGAS Y VIÑEDOS GARGANTINI, S.A., which would also include as partners descendants of Don Juan Giol, one of whom had already started a family with a descendent of B J Gargantini. which would also include as partners a descendants of Don Juan Giol, married with B.G.Gargantini's daughter.. His son, Bautista Gargantini, who had lived in Switzerland since 1902, established a very close relationship with his grandfather Pietro who was influential to his political formation, and thus future political life in Argentina. who was influential in his political formation, and marked thus, his political life in Argentina In 1910 he finished his education and returned to Argentina to carry out the will of his father: “Establish Bodega and Viñedos Gargantini”. They constructed the winery in Rivadavia with the well being of its employees in mind. Including a daycare center, first aide room, school, chapel, suberb for the employees, and sports centers, BODEGA GARGANTINI became one of the foremost wineries in Argentina. In 1912 he married Margarita Brigone. Together they had two sons, Alberto and Carlos, who gave them eight grandchildren. His winery produced the wines Florida, Eminencia, Inefable, and Gargantini and another wines. In 1948 he obtained the French techniques to produce Champagne and thus was born the champagne ‘Garre’, which was the first champagne fermented in the bottle ( method champenoise) in Argentina. Bautista also owned two other wineries, one in Vistaflores (Tunuyan), and one in Chacras de Coria, which was sold after many years. In 1987 it was reacquired by one of his grandchildren and her husband. In 2003 they began to restore the winery thus creating the current BODEGA CLOS DE CHACRAS. Bautista Gargantini was a sports aficionado and in the year 1913 he founded the football club ‘Independiente Rivadavia’. He was also one of the main consultants regarding pure bread horse breeding in Mendoza. It was also one of the principal breeders of horses of career(race) in Mendoza. Besides from his love of sport, wine, and racing horses, he also left an indelible mark through his political life. He served in the ‘Unión Cívica Radical’ (Radical Civic Union), and was Governor and Councilman of Rivadavia. In 1924 he was chosen as vicegovernor of the Mendoza province and served as mediator in the conflicts between the governor José Nestor Lencinas and the president of the nation Don Hipólito Irigoyen. A lover of art he also established one of the most important a private collection of pictures in the country. THE WINERY In our antique winery, technologically renovated for premium wine production, we produce wines that are praised for their quality. Since we are a boutique winery we are able to both harvest and process the grapes on the same day, something more difficult for large quantity production. The grapes are therefore processed at the ideal time to ensure the production of premium wine. We export to the United States and Brazil. After wine tastings made in the winery we are also currently sending our wines to France, England, Sweden, Paraguay, Columbia, and Uruguay. Before the harvest a removal of clusters from the vine occurs which allows the remaining clusters to blossom and reach their full potential. The harvest is done manually and the grapes are put in boxes no larger than 12.5 kg per box. This protects against the damaging of the grape while in the box. Once transported to the winery the grapes are emptied onto a machine that sorts and separates the grapes. Here the damaged grapes and extraneous material (leaves, small stems, etc.) are discarded. This process is applied to all of our wines regardless of category. THE VINEYARDS To achieve the best wine of each variety, BODEGA CLOS DE CHACRAS choses zones with the highest potential of quality grape production. Close attention to the vines ensures quality grapes suitable for premium wine production. For this reason we choose vineyards in Maipú, La Consulta, and La Carrodilla. Currently we are also considering incorporating a vineyard in Tupungato for one of our varietals.