Back in 2009, winemaker Marcelo Pelleriti set up a small-scale, artisanal venture in the Uco Valle in Mendoza focused on selected vineyard plots. 

Today, he is aiming big.

After more than a decade of soil study and minimal intervention, he has once again partnered with vintner Miguel Priore to create Pelleriti-Priore. The brand now exports 40,000 cases worldwide and has earned international ratings of up to 97 points from critic James Suckling.

Lying along the Tunuyán River, Valle de Uco is a prominent wine-growing region south of Mendoza city in western Argentina. The combination of high elevation, alluvial soils, irrigation sourced from the Andes Mountains, a long growing season with over 250 sunny days a year, little rain and vast temperature differences between day and night provides ideal conditions for growing wine grapes.

Uco is known for its Malbec red wines. Traditionally, the varieties grown in this area have included Semillón and Malbec, along with smaller amounts of Bonarda and Barbera. In recently planted vineyards, vine growers have preferred mid-ripening........

© Buenos Aires Herald