July 20, 2010
Vine Connections Brings Line of Affordable, Sustainable and Socially Responsible Wines to U.S.

Vine Connections, the leading national U.S. importer of fine Argentine wines, announces the re-introduction of Budini, a line of affordably-priced wines sourced from Mendoza. 

“The wines are styled for everyday drinking with ripe fruit character, excellent structure with fine and perfectly mature tannins, and are affordably priced."

Budini stands for “Built Upon Dreams of Individuals Not Institutions” and promotes the well-being of its workers, sustainable farming, and future generations of winemakers. A portion of sales proceeds will go towards the Dominio del Plata Scholarship Foundation that is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for the children of winery worker families throughout Argentina. These scholarships cover tuition and fees for college-bound students, which are granted based on grades and the family’s economic situation.

“We’ve spent the last 11 years working closely with Argentina’s top winemakers and wineries, and plan to be there for decades more. So we’re very excited to re-launch the Budini brand not only because of the wine’s continuing quality and value to consumers, but also for the opportunity we now have to give back directly to the local community in Mendoza. Our donations will help students get an education, provide milk to local soup kitchens, and even outfit a local soccer team,” said Ed Lehrman, co-founder of Vine Connections.

Argentina has built a reputation over the last decade as an incubator for young, up-and-coming winemakers who are bringing new energy to the region with their innovative approaches and winemaking skills. Budini’s new winemaker, José Lovaglio, is one of these rising stars. Born and raised in Argentina, Lovaglio is a third generation winemaker from one of Mendoza’s most respected winemaking families. A graduate of U.C. Davis, José worked in China as a sommelier before moving back to Argentina to start his winemaking career. “The wines are styled for everyday drinking with ripe fruit character, excellent structure with fine and perfectly mature tannins, and are affordably priced at $13 a bottle,” says Lovaglio.

“We’re thrilled that José has joined the Budini team. Not only is he a tremendous winemaker for such a young guy but he is also committed to the Budini ideals: sustainability, social responsibility and scholarship,” adds Nick Ramkowsky, co-founder of Vine Connections.

The current release wines are the 2009 Budini Malbec and 2009 Budini Chardonnay. Fruit for both wines is sourced from sustainably-farmed, high elevation vineyards (avg 2,800 ft) located in several areas in Mendoza Province.

Vine Connections is set apart from most importers by its extensive Argentine wine portfolio of native Argentine winemakers. The company is the exclusive importer of highly praised and sought after wines that include Añoro, BenMarco, Budini, Crios, La Posta, Luca, mapema, Mendel, Nosotros, Reginato, Susana Balbo Signature Wines, and Tikal. They work with some of Argentina’s leading winemakers and viticulturists including Susana Balbo, Roberto de la Mota, Laura Catena, Luis Reginato, Pepe Galante, Mariano di Paola, and Ernesto Catena.\

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