Finca Suarez

Items

Finca Suarez 2024 Semillon, Paraje Altamira	Login	—	In Stock
Finca Suarez 2024 Malbec, Paraje Altamira	Login	—	In Stock

The long history of Finca Suarez starts in 1921, when Leopoldo Suarez purchased land in Paraje Altamira, Mendoza. Leopoldo had graduated in 1904 as an eno-technical engineer in Italy and in Argentina, he became the head of the Mendoza Oenological Station and the director of the National School of Viticulture. Among his many contributions to the Argentine wine industry is a book published in 1911 on his ampelographic studies (the field of botany concerned with the identification and classification of grapevines).

For this book, he surveyed more than 30 varieties and undertook numerous vinifications of each according to their region of origin. He considered Semillón to be "the best variety for white table wines in Menodza." According to renowned winemaker Raúl de la Mota, there exists a before and after in Argentine viticulture based on Leopoldo's contributions.

After Leopoldo's early death, his partner Angélica Civit and their son Facundo Suárez Civit planted vineyards in the 1940s. Facundo cultivated Malbec and Semillón, among other varieties, until the mid-1970s. However, drops in grape prices led Facundo to eliminate the 80 hectares of vineyards and replace them with fruit tree orchards. Later in life, Facundo returned to the idea of planting vineyards, adhering to his father’s wisdom: “Whoever makes good Semillón in La Consulta will make the best white wine in Argentina.”

His son Facundo Suárez Lastra continued his father’s plans and began planting vineyards in 1998 at Finca Perico, with the primary objective of selling the grapes. In 2001, he also purchased virgin-forest land south of the Uco Canal (where there were still no vineyards at the time), and planted Finca Las Piedras. He was a pioneer in Altamira Sur, today a prestigious winegrowing region with just seven high-quality producers. In 2002, the first Finca Suarez Malbec was released.

In 2011, fourth generation Juanfa Suarez joined the family business, contributing to the search for terroir wines and sustainable agricultural practices. In 2013, Finca Suarez planted Semillón once again, following Leopoldo’s idea that had managed to filter down through the generations. This vineyard marked a change in Finca Suarez's production strategy, being the first vineyard they planted with the intention of producing their own estate wines. 2019 was the first harvest led by Juanfa, who, after several years of trial and error, was now completely responsible for the wines.

In 2020 Finca Suarez conducted a detailed soil study with geophysicist Guillermo Corona. They identified parcels with significant deposits of calcium carbonate and other unique characteristics which has greatly influenced how they make their Perico and Las Piedras wines.

2021 was a pivotal year for Finca Suarez. They undertook the first harvest based on the soil study data, consolidated their team, introduced new labels, and celebrated their family’s 100th year on their estate.

Finca Suarez are, above all, independent producers who live on the land they cultivate - a land they are emotionally and historically attached to. They are deeply committed to caring for the environment. In addition to carefully rationing the use of water, they adhere to regenerative farming methods, respecting the soil and biodiversity in their vineyards. They are also involved in many local organizations and have contributed significant resources to increase sustainability in their community.

In the cellar, production means minimum intervention, fermentations with native yeasts and with no additions other than low sulfite doses. They use small fermentation and ageing vessels so as to produce single lot and micro-lot vintages that can be traced from harvest to bottling.

Finca Suarez represents a connection between the past, the present, and the future of quality viticulture and winemaking in Paraje Altamira, Mendoza. We at Cream are so excited to represent their wines in Illinois.