Valle Las Acequias > Mendoza

Valle Las Acequias > Mendoza > Argentina

The Correas family arrived in Mendoza at the end of the 16th Century. The viticulture history of the family began in 1860 with Don Segundo Correas, who planted noble grapes of French origin, and built the first winery,‘El Cypress’, famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon in the 30s. The family now owns 400 hectares of vineyards, some of which are 70 year old, distributed between 8 farms. The winery is in Alta Medrano, 20 miles South East of Mendoza. It produces 3 million liters per year: 500,000 liters (from the first press) are bottled under "Acequias" label, the rest of the wine is sold in bulk to major wineries.

In 1972, the winery was modernized at Tres Acequias Street, with extra capacity in accordance to the increase of the vineyards planted in 1925. This allowed for bottling made exclusively from estate vineyards, a tradition which is maintained today. The "Acequias" are the canals that were built by the native Indians to carry the water from the melting Andes snow to the desert valleys of Mendoza. They are still used today for irrigation and the gates that block the water are opened once a week to flood the vineyards.

Respecting the artisan philosophy imposed on by their ancestors, the actual directors added technological advances, new know-how and modern facilities to optimize the process of wine-making. The direction of the vineyards and winery is performed personally on a daily basis by its owners, fourth generation of this traditional family. Engineer Agronomist Julian Correas controls the production to assure quality. He determines the pruning to achieve optimum quantity, supervising the process of pruning as well as the stripping of the leaves that will allow the necessary sun and a strict sanitary control of every wine-stock, in order to define those clusters that by their position and quality, await precise ripeness. Harvesting is manual and placed into small, 20 kg plastic containers to avoid oxidation.

Julian Correas and winemaker Daniel Mayorga are in charge of the elaboration and production of the wines. They have inherited sensitivity and the art to combine and heighten aromas and flavors, knowing the different soils,wine-stock, climate, age of the vineyards, amount of clusters and ripeness of the grapes, thus obtaining wines with expression and personality.

The wines are vegan friendly. No any animal derivatives are used in the different processes, only vegetables.

Valle Las Acequias Website

Chardonnay

100% Chardonnay from 85 year old vineyards in “San Luis” estate, High Medrano, Mendoza. The grapes are hand-picked in small bins, during the first week of March, then pre-cooled to 10°C. Short maceration and fermentation with selected yeast in stainless steel tanks, at temperature controlled. Goes through full malolactic fermentation. Fresh with notes of green apples, bananas and candied pineapple. 14% Alcohol.

Bonarda

100% Bonarda from Don Angelino estate - 85 year old vines. The grapes are hand-picked during the first week of April to obtain optimum maturity. The grapes are destemmed and soft crushed at temperature controlled, then go through an extended maceration and malolactic fermentation. Aged 6 months in French oak barrels then 3 months in bottle before release.
Deep ruby color with violaceous tint. Aromas of red fruits (stawberries) and figs, with a hint of blackberries. On the palate, intense, dried fruits, firm and sweet tannins, complex and balanced. Long finish. 13% alcohol.

Cabernet Sauvignon - Roble

100% Cabernet Sauvignon from “Doña Ofelia” estate, Alto Medrano.
The grapes are hand-picked in small boxes during the first week of April. Extended maceration, addition of selected yeast. Aged for 10 months in French Oak barrels, then 6 months in bottles before release. Cherry red color with violaceous tint. Intense nose, spicy with a touch of black pepper. On the palate, spicy with firm tannins, elegant and complex. Long, persistent finish. 14.4% alcohol.

Malbec

100% Malbec from "Don Angelino" estate, Alto-Medrano - vineyard planted in 1927.
The grapes are hand picked in small boxes during the first and second week of April. Extended maceration of the grape skins. Addition of selected yeasts.
Intense bright ruby color, notes of plums and raspberries with a touch of vanilla and chocolate. On the palate, sweet and round tannins, long finish. 13.5% Alcohol.

Malbec Roble

100% Malbec.
From "Don Angelino" estate, Alto Medrano, vineyard planted in 1927.
Grapes hand-picked in small boxes during the first and second week of April.
Aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, then 3 months in bottles before release. Bright red ruby,notes of plums and raspberries with touches of vanilla and chocolate. Sweet and round tannins, well balanced, long finish. 13.5% alcohol.