| Altos Las Hormigas |
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"A job for Ants" is the Argentine say for humble, patient, extended work; therefore the Ant is our symbol and our good luck charm. We work with great pride, but we are aware that keeping an open mindset, humble enough to be always willing to learn new lessons, is the secret to grow as persons and as winemakers. ALH is about exploring new and old ways of making wine, we study tradition, in order to innovate. Our working method is the continuous effort to combine the care and dedication of a XV century Italian craftsman, together with cosmopolite knowledge of techniques and an eye open on Technological and Scientific advance. All this is devoted to the goal of delivering a Wine which is the cleanest, freshest expression of Mendoza Malbec, an expression of depth and authenticity. We believe that Wine is produced partly by the talent of Nature and partly by the talent of Man; we believe that Wine can be a very pleasant example of a possible harmony between Man and Nature. “Altos Las Hormigas was founded by a group of wine professionals who, together their own winemakers, is motivated to produce a wine that express fully the unique dynamics of the Malbec grape in the zone of Mendoza in Argentina.” HistoryIn 1995, Alberto Antonini, a well known Tuscan winemaker, and Antonio Morescalchi, a young entrepreneur, took a trip to visit the major viticultural areas of Argentina. They returned powerfully impressed by the potential of Malbec in Mendoza appellation, and felt certain they had found what they were looking for. The next step came that year and 216 hectares were bought in the township of Luján de Cuyo. Shortly after this, some other old time friends, enthused with the idea, joined the enterprise; Attilio Pagli, another well known Tuscan winemaker; Marc de Grazia, a well known negotiant of fine Italian wines; Alan Scerbanenko, a Swiss management counsellor; and last, but not least, Antonio Terni, Italo-Argentine Bob Dylan fan, who produces top quality wines in the Marche region of Italy. Nowadays we are amazed of how a society so numerous and diverse works so well and in such harmony.
The PlaceThe Mendoza area is historically the area responsible for the finest wines produced in Argentina. The city is at the foothills of Los Andes, at a short distance from the Aconcagua, its highest peak, which stands at over 22,000 ft. Mendoza has 1,5 million inhabitants, of which 700.000 shape the urban area. This region has a desert or semi-desert climate that has the characteristic of large temperature differentials – a very hot daytime and very cold nights –. And the abundant presence of water extracted from artesian wells, makes the area particularly suited for the cultivation of high quality grapes. The EstateThe property is situated in the township of Luján de Cuyo, on a gentle slope at about 800 meters above the sea level, facing the Andes range in the East, protected westward by a minor geological fold. The estate’s total area is 225 hectares, 40 of which are planted. The only varietal planted is Malbec. Clones are obtained from careful field selection. The vineyards have a density of over 4,000 plants per hectare, and were planted between 1996 and 2000, free of root stock and raised with the guyot method. At the heart of the property stands the 2,000 square meter cellar with a capacity for 16,000 hectolitre plus approximately 900 hectolitre capacity in small oak. Built in 2001, the cellar was designed to have minimal impact on the territory, respecting the local traditional architecture. Inside, however, it is designed to achieve the very best technical conditions, such as temperature control, hygienic impeccability and a streamlined functionality with respect to all wine making process. Indeed, sobriety and functionality have been our guidelines in every respect.
Contact Us
9 de Julio, 309 - 5500 Mendoza Rep. Argentina Source: www.altoslashormigas.com |
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