The sun warms the Andes. Andean swallows dot the skies. The first light of day touches the vast vineyards where grapes, cool from the fresh alpine air, will ripen for harvest. It\u2019s dawn in the Uco Valley, a paradise for winemakers \u2013 and wine lovers \u2013 and at Domaine Bousquet, one of the best organic vineyards in Argentina, another day has begun.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For those who have visited Tupungato in the Uco Valley, Mendoza, it is easy to see why anyone would want to call this stunning location home. But for Domaine Bousquet, not only is Mendoza the perfect place to call home, it is also the perfect place to produce award-winning organic wine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why? From the rich soil to the altitude to the vines themselves, Domaine Bousquet\u2019s location in Argentina provides more than just a feast for the senses; it is a haven where carefully handled grapes turn into complex, lively wines.<\/span><\/p>\n Here, we will explore why Domaine Bousquet produces organic wine in Mendoza.<\/span><\/p>\n Key takeaways:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Domaine Bousquet is located in Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza at approximately 4,000 feet elevation. Nestled in the foothills of the snow-capped Andes, the air is fresh here and the sky is blue. Native birds like Andean swallows fly above the old vines where grapes grow. The people who work within Domaine Bousquet are predominantly locals from the community. Everyone is invested in caring for and giving back to the community and the land. A large part of that can be seen in Domaine Bousquet\u2019s commitment to maintaining a certified organic status. No chemicals are used when growing grapes or making wine. This <\/span>promotes biodiversity<\/span><\/a> and keeps the air and water pure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Domaine Bousquet may seem like it has always been a part of Mendoza but it actually dates back to 1990 when Jean Bousquet of France <\/span>visited on vacation<\/span><\/a> and fell in love with the landscape. Inspired to develop a vineyard, he began his plan. In 2005, his daughter and son-in-law invested. The winery was built. Today, Domaine Bousquet produces four million liters of wine a year and has <\/span>won numerous awards<\/span><\/a>. Much of the wine (95%) is exported, allowing people around the world to enjoy the taste of organic wine from Argentina.<\/span><\/p>\n One of the reasons Domaine Bousquet chose Mendoza to make wine is its terroir. This word is used often by wine enthusiasts and refers to the climate, terrain, soil, and winemaking traditions of an area that speak to its unique properties. <\/span>Mendoza is noted as having excellent terrain in particular<\/span><\/a> due to its high elevation in the Uco Valley. The area is known for its Malbec, among other many great varietals.<\/span><\/p>\n Another unique facet of Mendoza is its <\/span>diurnal shift.<\/span><\/a> This term refers to drastically different temperatures between daytime and nighttime in an area. Having warm daytime temperatures and cooler nighttime temperatures produces grapes with bold, fresh flavor due to sugar levels spiking during the day and then slowing at night. This preserves acidity. Wine lovers often note that wineries in locations with diurnal shifts produce complex, lively wines that age well.<\/span><\/p>\n Mendoza offers sandy soil, which is excellent for growing healthy grapes. The reason for this is superior drainage. The area also only sees about eight inches of rain per year which falls in the mountains and then flows to the vineyards, nourishing the plants without flooding them. Domaine Bousquet harnesses this spring runoff through a drop-by-drop irrigation system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The vines at Domaine Bousquet are more than two decades old, allowing for mature, complex grapes. If you are familiar with the saying <\/span>\u201cthe older the berry, the sweeter the juice,\u201d<\/span><\/a> you may already know that older vines produce grapes with thicker skin and better flavor. Additionally, the roots are deeper in the ground, allowing access to the minerals of Mendoza\u2019s sandy soil. Domaine Bousquet never poisons these old vines with harmful chemicals either, which allows them to produce thick-skinned grapes in the high elevation climate.<\/span><\/p>\n Known for its three wine regions \u2013 Uco Valley, Lujan de Cuyo, and Maipu \u2013 Mendoza is a wine lover\u2019s dream. If you visit, take time to taste the wines of the region. You will also find that there is even more to do than savoring wine. The area is a mecca for outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and horseback riding. One can visit <\/span>Parque Provincial Aconcagua\u00a0<\/span><\/a>and see the towering Cerro Aconcagua, the highest peak outside the Himalayas at 22,841 feet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Interested in visiting Domaine Bousquet? In addition to enjoying our wines globally, you can stop by our organic winery for a tour, tasting, and lunch at our on-site restaurant, Gaia, which features fine dining cuisine made with produce grown at Domaine Bousquet\u2019s own organic farm.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
About Domaine Bousquet\u2019s Mendoza vineyard<\/b><\/h5>\n
What is terroir?\u00a0<\/b><\/h5>\n
Diurnal shift<\/b><\/h5>\n
Sandy soil<\/b><\/h5>\n
Old vines<\/b><\/h5>\n
Visiting Mendoza<\/b><\/h5>\n
Touring Domaine Bousquet<\/b><\/h5>\n
Organic wine from Domaine Bousquet<\/b><\/h5>\n