Patagonia, a name not immediately conjured when contemplating viticulture’s heartlands, impresses with its annual yield of fine wines. Perched at South America’s southern extremity, straddling both Argentine and Chilean stretches of the Andean heights, Patagonia’s allure lies in its centuries-old mosaic of settlers. This cultural medley brews wines echoing European traditions, whispering tales of an ‘old world’ more than any […]
Keep ReadingPatagonia, a name not immediately conjured when contemplating viticulture’s heartlands, impresses with its annual yield of fine wines. Perched at South America’s southern extremity, straddling both Argentine and Chilean stretches of the Andean heights, Patagonia’s allure lies in its centuries-old mosaic of settlers. This cultural medley brews wines echoing European traditions, whispering tales of an ‘old world’ more than any other corner of Argentina or Chile.
In the midst of this wild, windswept region, Alto Limay emerges. A collaboration between Familia Schroeder and Paul Hobbs, Alto Limay focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Patagonia, Argentina. This area, known for its challenging winegrowing conditions, features short, sunny summers and low-vigor soils perfect for Burgundian varieties. The persistent winds necessitate poplar windbreaks around each vineyard block, resulting in thick-skinned berries with deep color and rich aromas.
The collaboration’s roots date back to 1927, when German immigrant Hermann Heinz Theodor Schroeder settled in Patagonia and entered the wine industry. In 2001, his son Hermann Schroeder launched the Alto Limay project, transforming the arid Patagonian steppe into a thriving vineyard with his sons. Located in San Patricio del Chañar, the winery is at the heart of Argentina’s southernmost wine region, previously known for large fruit-bearing endeavors. By 1999, it was recognized that the Patagonian desert held great potential for wine growing.
The vineyards of Alto Limay are characterized by their sandy, silty soils interspersed with pebbles and rocks, underlined by limestone bedrock. The area’s well-drained soils and constant winds lead to high evaporation rates, naturally keeping yields low. The Limay River, which carries snowmelt from the Andes, provides the necessary water for cultivation in this otherwise desertic region. This unique terroir contributes to the exceptional quality of the grapes, enhancing the wines with a distinct sense of place.
Their journey involves not only crafting exceptional wines but also unearthing the relics of the past. During the winery’s construction, fossilized bones of a large herbivorous dinosaur were discovered. This remarkable find led to the creation of a specially designed cellar to house the original bones, which you can see in the floor of the cellar. The dinosaur, later identified as a new species, was named Panamericansaurus Schroederi in honor of the Schroeder family’s contribution to the excavation.
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