Named after the “caracoles” - steep switchback roads of Argentinian Andes which resemble snails - Los Caracoles is a collaboration with one of Mendoza’s best growers. The vineyards, planted 30 years ago in the early 1990s, are planted in a subregion of Uco Valley called Los Chacayes. Here, in the foothills of the Andes Cordillera, at an altitude of 1,100 m, the semi–desert conditions create ideal growing conditions for Malbec. Glacially-fed rivers flowing down from the Andes have formed alluvial soils of volcanic and granitic gravel, adding the rigors of poor, well–drained soil.

Thanks to the microclimate of this high–altitude desert, with very well–drained, relatively infertile, alluvial gravel soil, the wines of the Uco Valley, and especially those of Chacayes, have a unique personality, which combines freshness and concentration. A mere 4% of viticulture in Argentina is certified organic. The grower for Los Caracoles was an early pioneer in organics in Argentina. They began conversion in 2010 and reached full certification of all their vineyards in 2015.

They are also using biodynamic practices in around 10 ha. of their vineyards. Here they’re fully implementing biodynamics including the preparations 500, 501, and creating their own composts. They do 1-2 sprayings of horsetail per year to fight against oidium/mildew. They’ve put a concerted effort into managing the plants that grow in the vineyards with the vines; they’ve identified over 150 native plants that grow in their vineyards and don’t use any herbicides on the property. Looking ahead to adapt to climate change, they’re investing in agroforestry (planting trees insides the vineyards) and studying the mycorrhizae (fungi) in their soils to better understand and enrich the relationship between the vines and the soil.

They’ve shifted to zero tilling to preserve the networks of mycorrhizae in the soil. In 2023 alone they planted over 800 trees in their estate. This is a mix of individual trees within vineyards all the way up to small “forests” planted in the vineyards. Their hope is by creating a more diverse and resilient ecosystem that their vines will better adapt to warmer, drier years to come.