The story of Terrazas de los Andes is one of vision. Three decades ago, Hervé Birnie-Scott, set out to create site-specific wines from the Andes Mountains. Back then, his nickname was “el loco francés” or the crazy Frenchman, who was on a mission to create site-specific wines from the most extreme places in Mendoza.
Terrazas de los Andes was founded in 1992 by a group of French and Argentine believers who knew the unique mountainous landscape of the Mendoza region could make world-class wines. The winery is in the Luján de Cuyo wine region.
A New Look for Terrazas de los Andes
In 2008, Terrazas de los Andes was acquired by LVMH, the French luxury company that invested significant resources into the winery like new branding and packaging. Terrazas de los Andes produces Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Manseng, and Torrontés.
In June, Terrazas de los Andes was awarded Regenerative Organic Certified® status (ROC) for 86 hectares (213 acres) of vineyards and for the winery, which made them the 10th global winery to earn this certification and the first of the LVMH portfolio to receive it. I love to see the number of wineries growing with this certification. This designation is awarded to farms and businesses that meet rigorous standards for soil health, animal welfare, water management, and social fairness. Today the winery’s 500 hectares (1,235 acres) of vineyards are being managed in a regenerative organic manner with the goal of achieving ROC certification for all vineyards by 2026.
I got to try three wines from Terrazas de los Andes:
- 2021 Terrazas de los Andes Reserve Chardonnay – notes of pear, apple, citrus, tropical fruit, honey, toast, white flowers, and vanilla with a slight minerality.
- 2019 Terrazas de los Andes Grand Malbec was a powerful but balanced Malbec. I tasted notes of blackberries, chocolate, spice, leather, earth, and cigar.
- 2020 Terrazas de los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon – an intense wine that kept revealing its layers. I tasted blackberries, blueberries, cedar, spice, and cigar.
The team at Terrazas del los Andes continues their vision for the next frontier – whether that is region, sustainability, or wine. I’m looking forward to following their journey.
Learn more about Terrazas del los Andes here.
